Free MLB Picks Today: New York Mets vs San Francisco Giants 7/1/23

The New York Mets (36-46) host the San Francisco Giants (46-36) at Citi Field on Saturday. The Giants took Friday’s series opener 5-4, their third head-to-head victory in five games this season.

Reliever Sean Manaea threw one scoreless inning to get the win, and Camilo Doval picked up his 24th save with a scoreless ninth. Joc Pederson was 1 for 3 with one run in the win.

Tommy Pham went 3 for 4 with a home run and two runs for the Mets. Jeff McNeil added two doubles and two RBIs.

ON THE MOUND

Anthony DeSclafani (4-7, 4.28 ERA) is slated for the start for San Francisco. The right-hander allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-2 home defeat against the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

He took the loss, yielding five hits while striking out three. DeSclafani has made one previous start against the Mets this season, a 7-0 home loss on April 21.

He surrendered four runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out five and walking two. For New York, RHP Justin Verlander (2-4, 4.11 ERA) will toe the rubber.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Giants. In his last start on Monday, Verlander took a no-decision at home against the Brewers. He threw five scoreless innings and gave up five hits, striking out five and walking two in the 2-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, San Francisco has averaged only 2.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.8, while slashing worse across the board (.189/.261/.274). Against righties like Verlander this season, the Giants have a .751 OPS.

LaMonte Wade Jr. is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .896 OPS in 196 at-bats. New York is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.4 for the season, with their on-base percentage dropping to .260 from .317.

The Mets have a .714 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .500 SLG over 212 at-bats, Pete Alonso has been their best power hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Francisco is 23-17 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. New York has lost three in a row at home. The Mets are 18-19 at home this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.2.

In the last 10 games between the teams at Citi Field, each club has won five, though New York has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.8-3.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Giants are third in the NL West, two games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Mets are fourth in the NL East, 18 games behind the Braves.