2020-09-21 19:10:00 EDT
The Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Mets meet Monday in MLB action from Citi Field.
This will be the first edition of a three-game series between the Rays and Mets this week. Tampa Bay just finished up against the Orioles, winning the first four games. In the final matchup on Sunday, the Rays couldn’t find much offense and fell 2-1. As for the Mets, they played the Braves this weekend and split their first two games. In the Sunday rubber match, New York was shut out 7-0 to drop the series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place.
The Rays could only muster four hits in the Sunday loss, and Willy Adames provided the only run with a solo homer. Starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough went 7.0 innings with five hits, two earned runs, two walks and eight strikeouts in the loss, falling to just 1-4 on the season.
In the Monday starting pitcher slot, the Rays are going with Pete Fairbanks. In his 24 games (one start) this year, Fairbanks is 5-3 with a 2.74 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 23.0 innings. Across his MLB career, Fairbanks is 7-6 with a 4.70 ERA and 61 Ks in 44.0 frames total.
Over on the Mets’ side, they were out-hit 7-3 by the Braves in the Sunday loss. Wilson Ramos posted two of those hits, one being a double. Starting pitcher Rick Porcello took a tough-luck loss with 7.0 innings, three hits, 10 Ks and a solo homer allowed.
On Monday, New York will send ace Jacob deGrom out to the mound for the start. In his 10 starts this season, deGrom is 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 56.0 innings. Over his MLB career, deGrom is 70-50 with a 2.60 ERA and 1335 strikeouts in 1157.2 innings.
The Rays are 11-2 in their last 13 games following a loss and 18-5 in their last 23 games on grass. Tampa Bay is 29-9 in their last 38 Monday games and 20-8 in their last 28 during game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the Mets are 5-1 in their last six interleague home games versus a team with a winning record and 1-4 in their last five during game one of a series. The over is 8-1-1 in New York’s last 10 interleague games and 8-1-1 in their last 10 versus the American League East.
Pick: I have to stick with the Mets here. This is mostly because deGrom is on the mound, and it’s hard to pick against New York in any circumstance with him out there. In his last start, deGrom experienced a spasm in his right hamstring and was only able to go two innings. Thankfully, he’s good to go and returning to the rotation for his second-to-last scheduled start before the playoffs. A third straight NL Cy Young Award is still within deGrom’s grasp.
