New York Mets vs
Houston AstrosPredictions & Preview

New York Mets and Houston Astros Set to Kick Off 2024 MLB Season with High-Stakes Opening Matchup

The New York Mets and Houston Astros are set to open the 2024 Major League Baseball regular season with a matchup on the road. Last season, the Mets finished third in the National League East with a record of 89-73, while the Astros won the American League West title with a record of 88-83. Both teams had postseason appearances, with the Mets reaching the NL championship series and the Astros being swept in the AL wild card series. In this game, the Mets will be without four key players, while the Astros will be missing seven. Clay Holmes will start on the mound for the Mets, while Framber Valdez will start for the Astros. Houston is the betting favorite for this game. Be sure to check out our detailed prediction for this exciting matchup between the New York Mets and Houston Astros. Make a winning pick with our top MLB selections today!

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Mets +115 | Astros -131
• Spread: Mets +1.5 (-195) | Astros -1.5 (+165)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 57%.

New York vs Houston Stats

New York Mets

The New York Mets made significant roster moves during the off-season, including adding Juan Soto and key pitchers to strengthen their lineup. They retained Pete Alonso and Sean Manaea while featuring a strong opening day lineup and productive outfield. Despite a strong offense, their pitching staff is the biggest question mark as the regular season approaches. With a power ranking of 9, the Mets are ranked 7 in offense and 17 in defense, starting the season with a record of 0-0.

Houston Astros Analysis

The Houston Astros made some significant changes during the offseason, losing Alex Bregman and trading Kyle Tucker. With Jose Altuve as the only holdover from their first World Series championship team, they will need to fill these gaps in their starting lineup. Christian Walker will be at first, Mauricio Dubon at second, Isaac Paredes at third, and Jeremy Peña at shortstop. In the outfield, Jose Altuve will be in left, Jake Meyers in center, and either Cam Smith or Chas McCormick in right. Yainer Díaz or Victor Caratini will be behind the plate, with Cam Smith potentially earning a starting job in the outfield. Yordan Alvarez will serve as the starting designated hitter. The Astros' starting rotation will consist of Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, Spencer Arrighetti, and Hayden Wesneski, with Valdez starting on opening day. Josh Hader will be the closer, with Bryan Abreu, Luis Contreras, and Rafael Montero in late-inning roles. Taylor Scott, Steven Okert, and Bryan King will pitch multiple innings as needed. Unfortunately, Forrest Whitley is injured to start the season. The Astros are currently ranked 10th in power ranking, 11th in offense, and 7th in defense, with an overall record of 0-0. They recently lost 2 out of 3 matchups against the New York team.

New York Team's Offense Looms Large Ahead of Opening Day Matchup Against Houston Astros

The New York team poses a significant challenge for opposing pitching staffs in their ability to score runs. Key players such as Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, and others are expected to make an impact against Houston's starter Framber Valdez and the Astros’ bullpen on opening day. New York's Clay Holmes, who was recently acquired from the Yankees, has demonstrated impressive performance during spring training, recording a 0.93 ERA in the Grapefruit League with strong pitching statistics. Houston's roster has undergone changes, with the absence of key players like Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker. The new additions to the team may require time to adjust to their roles. While the Astros are anticipated to contend for the top spot in the American League West, they may face challenges against elite teams in the league.

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