Mets vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Odds for Friday, April 22 ( Fade Arizona's Unimpressive Offense)

So far, so good for the new-look New York Mets. The Amazins have started things off with a 10-4 overall record and currently sit in first place in a competitive NL East. One major reason for this early success has been their pitching. The Mets have the second-best team ERA in the league behind the Los Angeles Dodgers at 2.52. The bats are barking too and New York is third in the MLB in batting average. They are the only team in the league right now to be in the top 3 in both categories. 

The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, are experiencing some early season struggles in 2022. They enter this game with a 5-8 overall record and sit in last place in the NL West. The reason for this is simple. The Diamondbacks have the worst team batting average in the entire league at .176. 

This feels like an easy win for the Mets to start off this three-game series. 

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Mets vs. Diamondbacks Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

• Mets: -1.5 (+125)
• Diamondbacks: +1.5 (-150)

Moneyline:

• Mets: -120
• Diamondbacks: +110

Total:

• Total 8.5 (Over +100/Under -110)

Mets vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

David Peterson has been one of the biggest surprises of the year so far. Not just for the Mets, but the entire league. The 26-year-old southpaw has yet to give up a run in his first two starts of the year. He’s allowed seven hits in as many innings, striking out four and walking two. Peterson is also coming off a 5-0 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday. So he is already familiar with this lineup. In 4 ⅓ innings pitched, Peterson gave up three hits and struck out four. He forced seven ground balls and five fly balls over the course of his 80 pitches. While I’d like to see Peterson be a bit more efficient, he is getting results. 

This game is actually a rematch of this weekend’s showdown with Zac Gallen making his second start in a row against New York. In his only appearance this year, Gallen pitched four scoreless innings of a two-hit ball. He struck out two and issued one free pass. Due to his performance, the Diamondbacks actually won that game 3-2 as underdogs. In comparison, the Mets won the other two games of this series by a combined score of 15-3.

While it’s clear that Gallen gives the D-Backs the best chance to win right now, I worry that it won't be enough. The Mets are just playing too well right now. I’ll admit that the Diamondbacks are perking up as well after winning two in a row. But, until they can raise their team batting average substantially, I can’t trust them against any competent pitcher. Peterson is that and maybe a whole lot more. 

Pick: Mets ML -120

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE