Rangers vs. Mets Prediction and Odds for Saturday, July 2 (Can Rangers Capitalize on Slumping Mets?)
By Joe Summers
The New York Mets host the Texas Rangers this afternoon at 4:10 PM EST hoping to bounce back offensively.
Entering the three-game series, the Mets dropped five of seven, averaging just 2.57 runs per game in that stretch. Things won't get easier against Martin Perez, behind whom the Rangers have won 10 of 11. He has a 2.22 ERA on the year while allowing two or fewer runs in 11 of his last 13 starts.
New York hasn't officially announced a starter, but if they stick to their normal rotation then David Peterson will pitch. Peterson compiled a 3.18 ERA in June and is coming off seven strong innings against the Marlins in which he allowed only two runs.
Can the Mets snap out of their funk against Perez or will the Rangers pick up a road win?
Let's take a gander at the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help find out ahead of this Rangers vs Mets matchup:
Rangers vs. Mets Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line:
- Rangers +1.5 (-190)
- Mets -1.5 (+158)
Moneyline:
- Rangers +105
- Mets -125
Total:
- 9 (Over -110/Under -110)
Rangers vs. Mets Prediction and Pick
Martin Perez has earned himself a ton of money this offseason. After signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Rangers, Perez has established himself as one of the league's best pitchers.
Martin Perez’s 1.98 ERA over 14 starts to begin the season is the second best ERA over a 14-start stretch by a Texas Ranger since 1994. The other? Kyle Gibson’s 1.61 ERA over 14 starts in 2021.
— Jared Sandler (@JaredSandler) June 27, 2022
His 3.04 expected ERA means his sterling season is no fluke, and I think he'll find success against the Mets today. Over the last two weeks, New York ranks just 23rd in OPS against left-handed pitchers. Perez ranks in the 95th percentile in barrel percentage, so he's excelled at preventing the kind of hard contact the Mets' lineup is known to create.
David Peterson is enjoying a fine season, but he doesn't last deep into games and struggles with command. The Rangers mash lefty's, and the Mets have lost two of Peterson's last three starts as he's coming back down to earth. His 3.86 expected ERA is solid, though pales in comparison to Perez's.
New York has lost three of four at home while Texas has won six of nine on the road. Back the better pitcher and hotter lineup as Perez continues his impressive season. That payday is coming this offseason, so we might as well make some dollars ourselves on the way.
Pick: Rangers
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.