New York Yankees vs. New York Mets Prediction, Picks and Preview – September 18, 2015

There’s still hope for the New York Yankees as far as their chances to win the American League East is concerned.  Following a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, the Yankees continue their chase of the Toronto Blue Jays when they make a short trip to the Queens for an interleague series against the New York Mets. Will the Yankees stifle the Mets? Or will Steven Matz and company humble the Bronx Bombers?
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New York Yankees vs. New York Mets Preview

Where: Citi Field, Flushing

When: Friday, September 18, 2015, 7:10 PM ET

Line:  New York Yankees (-102) vs. New York Mets (-108); total: 7.0 – view all MLB lines

Betting on the New York Yankees

[sc:MLB240banner ]The Yankees are counting on another strong performance by Masahiro Tanaka (12-6, 3.40 ERA). Tanaka, who is coming off a sterling start against AL East leader Toronto, has been pitching of late, compiling a 2-0 record with a 2.11 ERA and 0.84 WHIP across three starts thus far this September.

Tanaka brought the hammer down hard on the Blue Jays, tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing just two hits, while striking out seven in a 5-0 win at home on September 13. When Tanaka steps on the mound later tonight, he’ll be looking at a chance to improve his 5-2 record and 3.26 ERA on the road this year. In addition, the Yankees are 3-0 in Tanaka’s last three starts away from the Bronx.

Backing Tanaka against the Mets, meanwhile, is the Yankees’ offense that has averaged 3.75 runs over the team’s last five games. Former Met Carlos Beltran is 7-for-28 (.250) in his last seven games, while Didi Gregorious is 6-for-24 (.250) during the same stretch.

Alex Rodriguez is doubtful to play in the Mets series after hurting his knee during the Yankees’ 6-3 loss at Tampa on Tuesday.

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Betting on the New York Mets

Dueling with the Yankees’ Tanaka later tonight is Steven Matz who’s yet to suffer a loss in his nascent MLB career.  Set to make his first interleague game start later tonight, the 24-year-old lefty enters Game 1 of this series with a 3-0 record and a 1.88 ERA in four starts thus far this season.

In his most recent start, Matz silenced the bats of Atlanta in a 5-1 win on September 11. Matz pitched for five innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits against the Braves.

Speaking of bats, the Mets are hoping that Yoenis Cespedes’ stick remains red hot. Cespedes has definitely injected life into the Mets’ offense since being acquired from Detroit at trade deadline. The Cuban power-hitter has hit 17 long balls and has batted in 43 games with the Mets. Overall, Cespedes has 35 home runs and 103 RBIS on .294 batting average on the season.

Another Met who’s been finding his rhythm at the plate of late is David Wright. The third baseman is 6-for-20 (.300) with three RBIs over his past five games.

Writer’s Prediction

The Mets (-108) win, 5-4.
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