Published Apr 6, 8:52pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Apr 6, 8:52pm ET
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Updated Apr 6, 8:52pm ET
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| New York Mets | -150 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +136 |
Zac Gallen didn't get the long-term contract he was seeking as a free agent over the winter. So he returned to the desert for 1-year and $16.2 million.
In his first start this season, he faced the Dodgers and allowed 4 earned runs in 4 innings, walking 2 and striking out 2. His second start was better. Against the Tigers, he threw 6 shutout innings, allowed 4 hits, walked none, and struck out 2. The lack of strikeouts is worrisome.
Still, Gallen is a solid pro who can still get by even if his stuff is diminished from his career heights between 2020 and 2024.
Arizona has barely hit this season. Only Corbin Carroll has performed up to expectations with a .313 batting average and a 1.067 OPS. Jordan Lawlar was hitting as well, but he's on the injured list.
Carlos Santana is not long for the roster unless he starts hitting soon. He's at .083. Alex Thomas is batting .138. Gabriel Moreno is at .233. Ketel Marte is batting .184.
They will eventually bust out, but the question is when.
Against Mets starter Freddy Peralta, Nolan Arenado is batting .282 with 4 homers in 41 plate appearances. Carroll is batting .375 with 2 doubles. Marte is at .429 with a double. Thomas is 1 for 2 with a homer.
Freddy Peralta has battled his way through in his first two starts as a Met without his usual command. In 10.1 innings, he's allowed 9 hits, 5 earned runs, and 2 homers. He's walked 2 and struck out 14.
The veteran may need some time to adapt to pitching in New York and the pressure of singing for his free agent supper.
New York will be without star outfielder Juan Soto, out with a strained calf.
However, the Mets beat up on the struggling Giants without Soto.
Mark Vientos has been on fire with a .476/.522/.714 slash, 2 doubles, a homer, and 4 RBI. Marcus Semien started hitting in San Francisco and is up to .257. Francisco Lindor has been awful, batting .135, but he'll hit before long. Rookie Carson Benge and free agent signee Jorge Polanco have not hit much at all.
Vientos is 2 for 9 against Gallen with a home run. Semien is 5 for 19 with 2 doubles. Lindor is 3 for 15 with a double. Bo Bichette is 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
Both teams are coming off good weekends. The Diamondbacks won two straight over the Braves. The Mets won three straight over the Giants. New York's bats woke up in the Bay. Arizona is still struggling at the plate.
This game will come down to pitching. Gallen has been inconsistent. Peralta has had decent results, but is still finding his way as a Met.
New York will score against Gallen and that will pave their way to victory.
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Pick
New York Mets -150
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