New York Mets vs
Philadelphia PhilliesPredictions & Preview

Phillies Favored Over Mets in Divisional Round Clash: Game One Preview and Betting Odds

The MLB postseason has advanced to the Divisional round, with all eight remaining teams competing on Saturday. In a matchup between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, the series will kick off in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park at 4:08 ET. The starting pitchers will be (ERA: ) for the Mets and Zack Wheeler (ERA: 2.56) for the Phillies. Philadelphia opens as the betting favorite at -188 and the current line is Philadelphia -185.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Mets +160 | Phillies -185
• Spread: Mets +1.5 (-140) | Phillies -1.5 (+120)
• Total: Over/Under 7 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Philadelphia will win straight-up is 65%.

New York vs Philadelphia Stats

New York Mets

The New York Mets have been on a remarkable run, securing a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season with a win against the Braves. They then went on to defeat the Brewers in a three-game Wild Card series, with a dramatic come-from-behind win in the final game. Kodai Senga will start game one of the Divisional Round after recovering from a calf injury. The Mets have a power ranking of 10, ranking 7th in offense and 16th in defense, with a record of 91-74 for the season.

Philadelphia Phillies Analysis

The Philadelphia Phillies, who have already secured the National League East title and earned the second seed with a 95-67 record, are entering the upcoming game against the New York Mets with a well-rested bullpen and advantageous rotation led by Zack Wheeler. Wheeler, who had an impressive performance during the regular season with a 16-7 record, 2.57 ERA, and 0.96 WHIP, is expected to bring his strong pitching skills to the game on Saturday. Despite the Mets facing long odds as the underdogs, the Phillies are favored to advance to the NLCS and have better odds of winning the World Series according to oddsmakers. Additionally, the Phillies won the season series against the Mets 7-6. In terms of power rankings, the Phillies are ranked 24th overall and are particularly strong offensively, scoring an average of 4.84 runs per game, and defensively, giving up an average of 4.14 runs per game. The Mets have struggled against the Phillies in their recent matchups, going 1-2 in their last three games against them.

Mets Embrace Underdog Status Against Phillies: High Odds Don't Deter Gamblers

The Philadelphia Phillies are currently being listed as a significant -175 moneyline favorite for Saturday's game. While I do acknowledge that Philadelphia is likely to emerge victorious, I am hesitant to support such high odds. As a result, I am opting to take a calculated risk on the New York Mets, who are considerable underdogs in this matchup. The Mets are currently riding a wave of momentum, having played several high-pressure games in recent weeks. Additionally, in a recent series between these two teams from 9/19 - 9/22, the Mets emerged victorious in three out of four games, including a win against Zack Wheeler in the finale. Notably, New York's current roster has had success against Wheeler in the past, boasting a .281/.309/.421 slash line over 171 at-bats. Given the Mets' recent performance and the lucrative +163 payout, I believe it is prudent to support them in this upcoming matchup.

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