Free MLB Picks Today: New York Mets vs Cleveland Guardians 5/21/23

The Cleveland Guardians (20-24) are on the road to face the New York Mets (23-23) at Citi Field on Sunday in a doubleheader with the home team eyeing a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.

The Mets lead the series 1-0 after winning 10-9 in 10 innings on Friday, their fifth straight head-to-head victory. Drew Smith got the win with one inning of relief.

Francisco Alvarez went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Brett Baty added a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Josh Naylor was 3 for 5 with a home run and five RBIs for the Guardians. Gabriel Arias added a home run and two RBIs.

ON THE MOUND

Shane Bieber (3-2, 2.61 ERA) is in line to get the start for Cleveland in the first game of the doubleheader. The righty allowed six runs (five earned) over 4.2 innings in his last start, an 8-3 home defeat against the White Sox on Tuesday.

He took the loss, scattering 12 hits while striking out four. Righty Justin Verlander (1-2, 2.25 ERA) will take the mound for New York. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Guardians.

Verlander made one start against the Guardians in 2022, throwing six innings for the Astros in a 6-0 road win on August 4. He gave up two hits and walked one, while striking out five in the win.

In his last start on Tuesday, Verlander took the loss at home against the Rays. He threw five innings and gave up six runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking two in the 8-5 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Cleveland has averaged 4.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 3.6. Against right-handed pitchers like Verlander this season, the Guardians have a .652 OPS, third lowest in MLB.

Jose Ramirez is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .910 OPS in 99 at-bats. New York is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.3 for the season, with a stronger slugging percentage (.452 vs .389).

The Mets have a .716 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .884 OPS over 115 at-bats, Pete Alonso has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cleveland is 11-12 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. New York has won three in a row in front of their home fans.

The Mets are 10-9 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. In four games between the teams at Citi Field, New York is unbeaten with an average scoreline of 6.3-3.5.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Guardians are third in the AL Central, three games behind the division-leading Twins. The Mets are third in the NL East, six games behind the Braves.