Free MLB Picks Today: New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers 8/30/22

Two of MLB’s top offenses are set to square off at Citi Field on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers (89-38) are on the road to face the New York Mets (82-47) for the opener of a three-game series. The Dodgers are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They won three out of four in their last series against the Marlins, taking the finale 3-2 on Monday at loanDepot park. Will Smith was 1 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs.The Mets are in the midst of a 10-game homestand. They won three of four against the Rockies in their last series, dropping the finale 1-0 on Sunday at Citi Field. Pete Alonso went 1 for 3.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams have split their games this season 2-2, as the Mets evened the season series with a 5-4 victory in 10 innings in their most recent meeting on June 5 at Dodger Stadium. Reliever Seth Lugo threw one inning to get the win, and Adonis Medina picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Andrew Heaney (2-1, 1.94 ERA) is in line to get the start for Los Angeles. The left-hander allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 12-6 road win over the Brewers on Wednesday. He got the win, scattering four hits while striking out 10 and walking one. Heaney is making his first appearance against the Mets this season. Heaney made one appearance against the Mets in 2021, a 7-6 road loss for the Yankees on September 12. He held New York scoreless over 0.2 no-hit innings.For New York, RHP Taijuan Walker (10-3, 3.38 ERA) gets the ball. He has made one prior start against the Dodgers this season, giving up two runs over 5.2 innings in a 2-0 road defeat on June 2. He gave up seven hits and walked one, while striking out two in the loss. In his last start on August 23, Walker took a no-decision on the road against the Yankees. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out three and walking two in the 4-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Los Angeles offense is averaging 5.4 runs per game for the season, best in the league, with a slash line of .264/.339/.454. Five Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.914). The first baseman is slashing .326/.398/.516 with 16 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 91 runs over 127 games. Over the last five games, though, Los Angeles has averaged 6.8 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.298/.368/.489). Against right-handed pitchers like Walker this season, the Dodgers have a .804 OPS, highest in MLB. Freeman also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .956 OPS in 344 at-bats. New York is slashing .257/.329/.407 for the season and averaging 4.7 runs per game, fifth best in the league. Alonso leads the team with a .866 OPS. The first baseman has 31 home runs, 105 RBIs, and 72 runs scored with a slash line of .273/.350/.516. New York is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.236/.306/.350). The Mets have a .699 OPS against left-handers in 2022. With a .869 OPS over 107 at-bats, Alonso also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Los Angeles is 44-22 in road games in 2022, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 3.0 runs. New York has gone 43-20 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 3.2. Los Angeles is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings at Citi Field with an average scoreline of 6.3-2.9.