Juan Soto will be looking to extend his 22-game on-base streak as the San Diego Padres (41-46) host the New York Mets (41-46) at Petco Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series.
The Mets are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks, taking the finale 9-0 on Thursday at Chase Field for their fifth straight win.
Francisco Lindor was 5 for 5 with a home run and two triples. He scored three runs. Francisco Alvarez added a home run and three RBIs. The Padres are in the midst of a six-game homestand.
They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Angels, taking the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at Petco Park. Manny Machado went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs. Fernando Tatis Jr. went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Mets have won two of three in the season series between the teams, including a 5-2 victory in their most recent meeting on April 12 at Citi Field.
Tylor Megill got the win, giving up two runs on three hits over five innings, and Adam Ottavino earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Justin Verlander (3-4, 3.66 ERA) is set to start for New York. The RHP allowed one run (zero earned) over seven innings in his last start, a 4-1 road win over the Giants on Saturday.
He was credited with the win, yielding five hits while striking out six and walking one. Righty Yu Darvish (5-6, 4.84 ERA) is on the mound for San Diego.
He has made one prior start against the Mets this season, giving up five runs over 6.1 innings in a 5-0 road defeat on April 10. He gave up six hits and walked one while striking out five in the loss.
In his last start on June 21, Darvish took the loss on the road against the Giants. He threw six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking two in the 4-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .242/.320/.408. Pete Alonso leads the team in OPS at .825.
The first baseman is slashing .218/.311/.514 with 26 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 50 runs over 79 games. Over the last five games, though, New York has averaged 6.2 runs a game while performing better across the board (.275/.360/.569).
Against righties like Darvish this season, the Mets have a .732 OPS. Brandon Nimmo is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .831 OPS in 227 at-bats.
San Diego is slashing .235/.325/.401 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Soto leads the team with a .916 OPS. The left fielder has 15 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 50 runs scored with a slash line of .272/.426/.490.
San Diego is averaging 7.6 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.271/.366/.494). The Padres have a .715 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.006 OPS over 203 at-bats, Soto also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 21-27 in 2023. The Mets have scored 4.9 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.9 runs.
San Diego has won three in a row at Petco Park. The Padres are 23-22 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. In the last 10 meetings at Petco Park, San Diego is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mets are fourth in the NL East, 17 games behind the division-leading Braves. The Padres are fourth in the NL West, eight games behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SD Padres (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
