The Toronto Blue Jays (30-27) are on the road to face the New York Mets (30-27) at Citi Field on Friday to open a three-game Interleague series.
The Blue Jays won two out of three in their last series against the Brewers, taking the finale 3-1 on Thursday at Rogers Centre. Matt Chapman was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.
The Mets are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Phillies, taking the finale 4-2 on Thursday at Citi Field.
Mark Canha went 1 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time since July 25, 2021, when the Mets finished off a 2-1 series win with a 5-4 victory at Citi Field.
ON THE MOUND
Chris Bassitt (5-4, 3.03 ERA) is slated to get the start for Toronto. The right-hander allowed seven runs over four innings in his last start, a 9-7 road defeat against the Twins on Saturday. He took the loss, yielding nine hits while striking out five and walking two.
For New York, righty Justin Verlander (2-2, 4.80 ERA) will take the mound. Verlander made one start against the Blue Jays in 2022, throwing six innings for the Astros in a 4-3 home defeat on April 22.
He gave up four hits and walked one while striking out five in the no-decision. In his last start on Saturday, Verlander took a no-decision on the road against the Rockies. He threw five innings and gave up six runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking one in the 10-7 loss.
AT THE PLATE
The Toronto offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .265/.332/.420. Bo Bichette leads the team in OPS at .887. The shortstop is slashing .329/.366/.521 with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 34 runs over 57 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Verlander this season, the Jays have a .763 OPS. Bichette also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .852 OPS in 196 at-bats. New York is slashing .245/.325/.398 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game.
Pete Alonso leads the team with a .886 OPS. The first baseman has 20 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 39 runs scored with a slash line of .238/.333/.552. The Mets have a .724 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .867 OPS over 145 at-bats, Alonso also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 15-17 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.1 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. New York has won eight in a row at home.
The Mets are 15-9 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In seven games at Citi Field between the teams, New York is 5-2 despite an average scoreline favoring Toronto (4.7-4.4).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, 10 games behind the division-leading Rays. The Mets are second in the NL East, four games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Mets (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
