Published Apr 8, 8:35pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Apr 8, 8:35pm ET
Shutterstock
Updated Apr 8, 8:35pm ET
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| New York Mets | -155 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +140 |
Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez was long one of MLB's more consistent starters before he had consecutive rough years in 2024-25. As 2026 has gotten underway, however, he has come out firing.
In 2 starts, he's pitched 12 innings, allowed 8 hits, and no earned runs. He's walked 3 and struck out 8. He did it against two good teams, the Dodgers and Braves. If Rodriguez can revert to the pitcher he was through 2023.
He also performed well in Venezuela's WBC victory.
Arizona continues to struggle at the plate. But they put up 7 runs on Wednesday against the Mets. Perhaps that signifies a pending breakout.
Corbin Carroll is raking with a .333 batting average, a 1.098 OPS, 2 homers, 3 doubles, and 3 triples. Jose Fernandez is batting .300 with 2 homers.
Nolan Arenado, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo are all batting .200 or less.
No Arizona hitters have ever batted against Mets starter Nolan McLean in the majors.
In 2 starts this season, Mets righty Nolan McLean has tossed 10.1 innings, allowed 5 hits, and 3 earned runs. He's walked 2 and struck out 12. This is a strong follow-up to his 2025 rookie season in which he posted a 2.08 ERA and had a 1.8 bWAR in 8 starts.
He is known for his control and keeping the ball in the ballpark.
New York has been up-and-down at the plate with key components not hitting yet.
Francisco Lindor is batting .149, but he's accustomed to having slow starts. Marcus Semien is at .209. Bo Bichette is hitting .222, but has been showing signs of a breakout recently.
Mark Vientos was carrying the team on their last road trip. He's batting .370 with a .956 OPS.
Rookie outfielder Carson Benge is batting .108. New York is still without Juan Soto, nursing a strained calf and on the injured list.
Against Rodriguez, Bichette is batting .385 with 2 homers. Lindor is hitting .227 with a homer and a double. Tyrone Taylor is 2 for 2 with a double.
The Diamondbacks and Mets split the first two games of their series. Both are trying to get a jump start for a hot streak. It's more important for Arizona because they are already falling behind the scorching Dodgers in the NL West.
Rodriguez and McLean have been pitching well, but Rodriguez has been slightly better. New York is still trying to gain consistency at the plate. In this game, the D-Backs should come out on top in a close one.
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Arizona Diamondbacks +140
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