MLB Monday Preview: Mets at Phillies, Blue Jays at Twins
April 15th, 2019
New York Mets (9-6) at Philadelphia Phillies (9-5), 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN
Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 4.74 ERA) (NYM) +105 / +1.5 runs (-210) / Over 7.5 runs (EVEN) Aaron Nola (1-0, 6.46 ERA) (PHI) -115 / -1.5 runs (+175) / Under 7.5 runs (-120)Another important NL East series begins Monday night, as the New York Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies in the first of three games at Citizens Bank Park.
Noah Syndergaard, looking to improve on his horrendous numbers in Philadelphia in 2018, will toe the rubber for New York. In two starts (9 2/3 innings) at Citizens Bank Park last season, "Thor" went 0-2 with a 6.52 ERA. Syndergaard has struggled against Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins, allowing four hits (including two home runs) in nine at-bats to go along with four walks. Hoskins is seeing the ball well at the moment, having reached base safely in nine straight contests. Bryce Harper, who only just let his season OPS dip below 1.000, has seven hits in 24 at-bats against Syndergaard.
Aaron Nola wasn't able to contain the Nationals in his previous two starts but was dominant in six starts against the Mets last year. Nola went 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA against the Mets in 2018, with an opponent batting average of .197. Those numbers offer little hope that New York will be competitive in this one.
MLB Free Play: Phillies moneyline
Toronto Blue Jays (5-11) at Minnesota Twins (8-4), 7:40 p.m. ET
Matt Shoemaker (3-0, 0.92 ERA) (TOR) +120 / +1.5 runs (-165) / Over 8.5 runs (-120) Martin Perez (1-0, 7.56 ERA) (MIN) -130 / -1.5 runs (+145) / Under 8.5 runs (EVEN)Despite winning just five of their first 16 games, the Toronto Blue Jays are 3-0 behind starter Matt Shoemaker. Oddsmakers are offering generous odds on Toronto on Monday night, as long man Martin Perez makes a spot start for the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Shoemaker has pitched well against some of the Twins' best hitters in the past. Jonathan Schoop, Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco are a combined 2-for-19 against the Michigan native. Marwin Gonzalez boasts five hits in 17 prior at-bats against Shoemaker but is batting just .147 to begin the campaign.
Perez has been largely ineffective in three relief outings this year. Justin Smoak has 18 at-bats against the southpaw from Venezuela, the most of any Blue Jay, and has a 1.056 OPS.
MLB Free Play: Blue Jays moneyline
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