The New York Mets (31-35) host the New York Yankees (38-29) at Citi Field on Tuesday for the first of a two-game Interleague series. The Yankees just wrapped up a difficult six-game homestand (2-4).
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Red Sox, dropping the finale 3-2 on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Billy McKinney was 1 for 4 with a double and one run.
The Mets are back home after a tough six-game road trip (1-5). They lost two of three against the Pirates in their last series, dropping the finale 2-1 on Sunday at PNC Park.
Jeff McNeil went 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the New York rivals split their four games (2-2), although the Yankees swept their most recent meeting, a two-game set at Yankee Stadium in August.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Severino (0-1, 5.75 ERA) is set to get the start for New York. The righty allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-5 road defeat against the White Sox on Thursday.
He scattered six hits while striking out six and walking two in the no-decision. RHP Max Scherzer (5-2, 3.71 ERA) gets the start for the Mets.
Scherzer made two appearances against the Yankees in 2022, both starts, striking out nine and walking three over 13.2 innings (0-1, 2.63).
In his last start on Wednesday, Scherzer took a no-decision on the road against the Braves. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up five runs on 11 hits, striking out 10, in the 7-5 loss.
AT THE PLATE
The Yankees offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .232/.301/.417. Aaron Judge leads the team in OPS at 1.078. The right fielder is slashing .291/.404/.674 with 19 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 42 runs over 49 games.
Over the last five games, however, the Yankees have averaged only 3.0 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.205/.251/.373). Against right-handed pitchers like Scherzer this season, the Yanks have a .717 OPS.
Judge also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a 1.186 OPS in 144 at-bats. The Mets are slashing .240/.319/.396 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Pete Alonso leads the team with a .872 OPS.
The first baseman has 22 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 41 runs scored with a slash line of .231/.326/.546. The Mets are averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five with a higher slugging percentage (.434).
The Mets have a .715 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .865 OPS over 161 at-bats, Alonso also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
The Yankees are 17-12 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 3.9 runs. The Mets have lost three in a row at home.
The Mets are 15-12 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. the Mets are 7-3 in the last 10 games at Citi Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.2-4.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Yankees are third in the AL East, nine games behind the division-leading Rays. The Mets are fourth in the NL East, nine games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Mets (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
