Juan Soto will be looking to extend his 23-game on-base streak as the San Diego Padres (41-47) host the New York Mets (42-46) at Petco Park on Saturday.
The Mets took Friday’s series opener 7-5 in 10 innings, their sixth straight victory overall and third in four games against the Padres this season.
Reliever Drew Smith threw one scoreless inning to get the win. Francisco Lindor was 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs in the win.
Francisco Alvarez went 4 for 5 with one run and one RBI. Manny Machado went 2 for 5 with a home run and a double for the Padres. He scored two runs and drove in three.
ON THE MOUND
David Peterson (2-6, 6.61 ERA) is set to get the start for New York. The lefty allowed one run over four innings in his last start, an 8-4 home win over the Giants on Sunday.
He yielded three hits while striking out three and walking three in the no-decision. Peterson has made one previous start against the Padres this season, a 4-2 home loss on April 11.
He surrendered two runs on six hits over 5.2 innings, striking out six and walking two. Left-hander Blake Snell (5-7, 3.03 ERA) will toe the rubber for San Diego.
He has made one prior start against the Mets this season, giving up four runs (3 ER) over five innings in a 5-2 road defeat on April 12. He gave up six hits and walked five while striking out five in the loss.
In his last start on Monday, Snell got the win at home against the Angels. He threw five scoreless innings and gave up seven hits, striking out seven and walking four in the 10-3 triumph. The left-hander ranks third in the NL in strikeouts (121).
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, New York has averaged 6.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.6, while slashing better across the board (.306/.396/.544). Against southpaws like Snell this season, the Mets have a .722 OPS.
Tommy Pham is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a .928 OPS in 79 at-bats. San Diego is averaging 6.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with a better slash line (.262/.361/.452).
The Padres have a .755 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.060 OPS over 67 at-bats, Fernando Tatis Jr. has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is on a four-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 22-27 in 2023. The Mets have scored 4.9 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.9 runs.
San Diego has gone 23-23 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. In the last 10 games at Petco Park between the teams, each club has won five, though San Diego has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.7-4.2.
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, nine games behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SD Padres (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
