Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs New York Mets 9/24/22

Mark Canha will be looking to extend his 17-game on-base streak as the New York Mets (-200) face off against the Oakland Athletics (+170) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Saturday. The early total was set at 7 runs (O: +100 | U: -120). The Mets (96-56) took Friday’s series opener 9-2. Starter Chris Bassitt went eight innings to get the win, giving up two runs on six hits. Mark Vientos was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs in the win. Jeff McNeil went 3 for 5 with a double, two runs, and one RBI. Dermis Garcia went 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Athletics (55-96).

ON THE MOUND

Jacob deGrom (5-2, 2.32 ERA) is set to take the mound for New York. The right-hander allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 7-3 road win over the Pirates on Sunday. He gave up four hits while striking out 13 in the no-decision. Lefty Ken Waldichuk (0-2, 7.13 ERA) gets the ball for Oakland. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Mets. In his last start on Sunday, Waldichuk took the loss on the road against the Astros. He threw 2.2 innings and gave up five runs on five hits, striking out three and walking two in the 11-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, New York has averaged 6.0 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.7, thanks in part to better on-base performance (.333 vs .331). Against left-handed pitchers like Waldichuk this season, the Mets have a .711 OPS. Starling Marte is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .877 OPS in 139 at-bats. Oakland is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.5 for the season. The A’s have a .624 OPS against righties in 2022, second lowest in MLB. With a .775 OPS over 383 at-bats, Seth Brown has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 46-30 away from Citi Field in 2022, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 4.1 runs. Oakland has gone 25-51 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 3.0 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. The teams have split their last six meetings head-to-head at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, though New York has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.0-4.5.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Mets lead the NL East by two games over the Braves. Their magic number to clinch the division is nine. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 43 games behind the Astros.