Mets vs. Phillies Game 2 Prediction
National League East rivals will square off for Game 2 of Thursday’s doubleheader when the Philadelphia Phillies host the New York Mets at 7:30 p.m. ET. Will the nightcap turn into a pitcher’s duel?
Game Snapshot & Odds
951 New York Mets () at 952 Philadelphia Phillies (); X runs
Thursday, August 16, 2018
4:05 p.m. ET, Citizens Bank Park
TV: NYM (SNY); PHI (NBCSP)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Phillies as a -118 favorite. As of this writing, 60% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Phillies to beat the Mets on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Mets’ Matz on track to start Game 2 of series vs. Phillies
Steven Matz (arm) is on track for a return to the Mets’ rotation Thursday against the Phillies. Matz tossed a three-inning simulated game Saturday, throwing 56 pitches, and came out of it still eyeing that Thursday doubleheader as the return date. He’ll likely have one more throwing session between now and then, so things could change, but for now it seems as though he’ll be able to skip a rehab assignment. Matz owners should stay tuned as the targeted return date nears, just to be sure.
Phillies’ to start Eflin Game 2 of doubleheader vs. Mets
Zach Eflin will start the second game of a doubleheader on Thursday against the Mets on Thursday. Ranger Suarez will start the first game. Eflin was sent down in a purely business move to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on August 11, but he’ll be able to make a start on Thursday with regular rest, and then they can call Eflin back up on August 21. He owns a 3.57 ERA and an 8-4 record on the season.
MLB Betting Trends
New York
The Mets are 1-4 in Matz’s last five starts and are 3-13 in his last 16 starts after scoring five runs or more in their previous game.
Philadelphia
The Phillies have lost four of Eflin’s last five starts and are 1-5 in his last six outings when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
Prediction:
The under is 7-1 in the last eight meetings between these two teams and 5-2 in the last seven meetings at Citizens Bank Park (Game 1 not included in these trends). The under is also 12-5 in Matz’s last 17 road starts versus an opponent with a winning record and 5-2-1 in the Mets’ last eight games when facing an opponent with a winning record. On the other side, the under is 8-3 in Eflin’s last 11 starts, is 5-2 in his last seven outings against the rest of the division, and has cashed in four of his last five starts coming off five days of rest.
The Pick: Mets/Phillies under X
