Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs New York Mets 9/23/22

The Oakland Athletics (55-95), one of the lowest-scoring lineups in baseball, are set to host the New York Mets (95-56) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Friday for the opener of a three-game Interleague series. The Mets are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Brewers, dropping the finale 6-0 on Wednesday at American Family Field. Daniel Vogelbach was 1 for 2 with a walk. Brandon Nimmo went 1 for 1. The Athletics are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They won two of three against the Mariners in their last series, dropping the finale 9-5 on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Conner Capel went 2 for 3 with one run. The teams are meeting for the first time since July 23, 2017, when the Athletics avoided a three-game series sweep with a 3-2 win at Citi Field.

ON THE MOUND

Chris Bassitt (14-8, 3.32 ERA) is set to take the mound for New York. The righty threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 5-1 road win over the Pirates on Saturday. He earned the win, scattering three hits while striking out eight and walking two. Southpaw Cole Irvin (9-11, 3.79 ERA) gets the ball for Oakland. In his last start on Saturday, Irvin got the win on the road against the Astros. He threw seven innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out one, in the 8-5 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

The New York offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .257/.331/.408. Pete Alonso leads the team in OPS at .851. The first baseman is slashing .265/.344/.507 with 37 home runs, 121 RBIs, and 84 runs over 150 games. Against left-handed pitchers like Irvin this season, the Mets have a .704 OPS. Starling Marte is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a .877 OPS in 139 at-bats. Oakland is slashing .216/.281/.345 for the season and averaging 3.5 runs per game, second lowest in the league. Sean Murphy leads the team with a .769 OPS. The catcher has 18 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 64 runs scored with a slash line of .252/.333/.437. The A’s have a .623 OPS against righties in 2022, second lowest in the league. With a .777 OPS over 378 at-bats, Seth Brown has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 45-30 on the road in 2022, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.1 runs. Oakland has gone 25-50 at home this season, averaging 3.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. In five games at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum between the teams, Oakland is 3-2 with an average scoreline of 5.0-4.2.