The San Francisco Giants will return to their old stomping grounds of New York when they take on the New York Mets at Citi Field Tuesday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader after being rained out Monday night.
The Giants are out to prove that their 107-win campaign of a season ago was no fluke, as they’re off to a 7-2 start. The Amazins are off to a solid beginning too, going 7-3 through their first 10 tilts.
Which team will keep on rolling, and which will have their momentum halted? Find out in our free MLB picks and predictions for game one Giants vs Mets on Tuesday, April 19.
Editor's note: This review was written yesterday for last night's game before the postponing due to weather. Both starting pitchers have remained the same for Game 1 so the information in the preview remains accurate.
Giants vs Mets odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Mets opened as the consensus -115 favorites, and promptly took action at practically every sportsbook. They’re now listed anywhere from -120 to -127 at most sites.
The consensus opening total was 7, but that line has since been bet down. The vast majority of books now list the total at 6.5, with the Over juiced in the neighborhood of -120.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full MLB odds before placing your bets.
Giants vs Mets predictions
Picks made on 4/18/2022 at 10:45 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Giants vs Mets game info
• Location: Citi Field, New York, NY
• Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2022
• First pitch: 3:10 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC Sports Bay Area+, SNY
Giants vs Mets betting preview
Starting pitchers
Alex Cobb (1-0, 3.60 ERA): Alex Cobb got off to a fine start in his 11th professional season, striking out 10 San Diego Padres while limiting them to two runs over five innings of work in a 13-2 Giants victory last Tuesday. Cobb has been beset by injuries throughout his MLB tenure, as he’s averaged just 92 2-3 innings per season, but owns a respectable 3.86 career ERA. In his lone prior start at Citi Field, Cobb allowed only one run and two baserunners over six innings of work.
Tylor Megill (2-0, 0.00 ERA): Tylor Megill is doing his best Jacob deGrom impression after being tasked with the Opening Day start in lieu of the two-time NL Cy Young winner. The sophomore hurler has shut out the opposition over 10 1-3 innings in his first two starts of 2022 – both on the road. Megill had two starts against San Francisco in his rookie campaign, and the results were mixed. After holding the Giants to one run over six frames on August 18, Gabe Kapler’s crew apparently figured him out on August 24, chasing Megill in the fourth inning after plating seven runs.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Giants: Evan Longoria (Out), Tommy La Stella (Out), LaMonte Wade Jr. (Out).
Mets: Mark Canha (Questionable), Brandon Nimmo (Questionable).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Mets are 23-6 in their last 29 games with the total set at 6.5 or lower. Find more MLB betting trends for Giants vs. Mets.
Giants vs Mets picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Giants may have embarrassed Tylor Megill as a rookie at Citi Field last season, but he’s looked like an entirely different pitcher through his first two starts of 2022. Megill and the Mets should be able to exact some revenge in this spot.
Megill has scattered six hits and surrendered no walks while striking out 11 batters in his first 10 1-3 innings of work this season. His fastball is up nearly two mph from a season ago, and his slider “out pitch” has become even nastier (hitters are 0-for-8 against it so far).
The Giants may be 10th in runs per game (4.78) to this point, but Megill appears capable of holding this lineup in check.
Countering for San Fran is Alex Cobb, who authored a 5.44 ERA over 44 2-3 innings on the road last year, in stark contrast with his 2.22 ERA at home (48 2-3 innings). His opponent's batting average spiked from .192 at home to .286 as the visiting hurler in 2021.
Cobb will have to be careful with Robinson Cano, who is 10-for-28 (.357) lifetime against him with four homers and seven RBI. Eduardo Escobar (3-for-11, one homer, three RBI) and Francisco Lindor (3-for-8) have also had their fair share of success against the Boston native.
The trends suggest that New York is the right side as well, as they’ve won seven of their last nine games as betting favorites, and 36 of their last 53 games as home favorites.
Prediction: Mets moneyline (-115 at BetMGM)
Over/Under analysis
A 6.5-run total is seldom seen these days, even at a pitcher's park as notorious as Citi Field. This doesn’t feel like a spot where such a low number is called for, and Over bettors should take advantage.
If the Giants get anything cooking early, Brandon Belt will most likely provide the spark. He’s 3-for-5 lifetime against Megill with two solo home runs. The slugging first baseman is swinging a hot bat to begin the season, as he’s averaging .345 with a team-leading three round-trippers and seven RBI.
Outfielder Joc Pederson is off to a fine start as well (1.053 OPS), as he’s fresh off a four-hit series against the Cleveland Guardians that included a four-bagger.
The Mets bring plenty of firepower to the table as well, as they’re fourth in the majors in home runs. Pete Alonso – second in baseball in RBI (14) – has three of those taters, tied for the club lead with Lindor.
Jeff McNeil has already recorded four multi-hit games in 2022, with two of those coming over the weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
This number is too low to bet Under. Take advantage by backing the Over.
Prediction: Over 6.5 (-120 at BetMGM)
Best bet
The Amazins look like a solid wager on Tuesday afternoon, but the one area of concern bettors might have is their bullpen, as New York’s relief corps ranks 21st by ERA (4.06) through 10 games. By contrast, the Giants are fourth by the same measure (2.16).
Assuming the Mets win this one, they will likely score first and go wire-to-wire. There is a great way for savvy bettors to get involved on New York and cash in early, and that’s by betting the Mets to score first.
Since the Mets are the home team and batting last, they’re listed at plus-odds to break the ice. But with the way Megill has been pitching to begin the campaign, the Giants could be held off the scoreboard far beyond the first inning.
Wagering on the Mets to simply score first, regardless of the result, will factor out their shaky bullpen, and eliminate the possibility of a first five innings moneyline push, all while securing a generous payout.
Pick: Mets to score first (+118 at UniBet)
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