A makeup from an earlier rainout, this line is too high in part due to Pedro Martinez' name. Play the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon when they take on Pedro and New York.
Considering their bullpen woes, injuries and Pedro Martinez on the mound, the Mets shouldn't be this big of a favorite.
The line is this high, in part, because New York is home and the pitching matchup is Zach Duke against Martinez. Duke hasn't been good this season, but his ERA (5.13) still is lower than Martinez's ERA (5.79).
Duke is off one of his best performances of the season. Pitching on the road against Arizona last Tuesday, Duke held the Diamondbacks to two earned runs in seven innings. He matched his season-high in strikeouts with six, while walking just one. Duke is 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA in three career starts versus the Mets.
Martinez has won once since June 15. He's 1-3 with a 6.06 ERA during his past seven starts. Martinez has yet to pitch into the eighth inning this season. He's averaged 5.2 innings in his past seven starts.
The Mets lack a true closer with Billy Wagner on the DL. Their middle relief has been terrible.
This is a one-game makeup matchup. The Mets are off a tough division series against Florida. They go on the road after this game, so they may not have their full concentration for the non-division Pirates, a team that generates little respect.
Free Pick: Pirates +180