The New York Mets are quickly dropping out of the National League playoff picture and their turnaround will have to happen soon if they don’t want to drop out completely.
But, that’s easier said than done. The Mets are in Chavez Ravine to continue a weekend set with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who just swept the Mets in New York last weekend, and they will be big underdogs in the opener, as L.A. hands the ball to Walker Buehler.
Check out our MLB free picks and predictions for Mets vs. Dodgers on Friday, August 20.
Mets vs Dodgers game info
• Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Friday, August 20, 2021
• Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
• TV: MLBN, SNLA, SNY
Mets vs Dodgers odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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Check out the full line movement for this game
Mets vs Dodgers betting preview
Starting pitchers
Carlos Carrasco (0-1, 10.32 ERA): It has been a rough return to the rotation for Carrasco, particularly over his last two starts, where he has allowed 10 runs over just three innings of work. That includes giving up six runs on six hits with three home runs last weekend against the Dodgers.
Walker Buehler (12-2, 2.09 ERA): Beuhler has had an outstanding season for the Dodgers, but the right-hander has looked particularly dominant over his last five starts, giving up a total of four runs on 21 hits over 33 1-3 innings pitched.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Mets: James McCann C (Questionable), Javier Baez SS (Out), Francisco Lindor SS (Out), Drew Smith RP (Out), Sean Reid-Foley RP (Out).
Dodgers: Mookie Betts RF (Out), Joe Kelly RP (Out), Garrett Cleavinger RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 7-1 in the Mets' last eights game on the road. Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Dodgers.
Runline pick
Yes, things are falling apart quickly for the Mets, who have lost six of their last seven games and 13 of their last 18 overall, including last night’s opener 5-1. It was the Mets’ fourth straight loss to the Dodgers this season.
A big part of that is due to the offense hitting the skids. Over the last month, the Mets rank 25th in batting average and 26th in OPS when facing right-handed pitchers, and have plated just 3.39 runs per game over that 18-game stretch.
And it just gets tougher against one of the NL’s best right-handers. Beuhler owns a 2.09 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, and is limiting opponents to a .189 batting average this season. That includes allowing just one run on four hits over seven innings in his last start against this same Mets team last Saturday.
While opposing starter Carlos Carrasco should be better in this matchup than he was last time around, it’s hard to bet on the Mets pulling out of their tailspin in this spot and against Buehler. The betting value is on the Dodgers' runline.
PREDICTION: Dodgers -1.5 (-115)
Over/Under pick
When it comes to the total, the early money has come in on the Over, moving the number from an even 8.0 to the current 8.5. But that number appears high enough to jump on the other side.
That movement is clearly due to the fact that Carrasco imploded in his last start against the Dodgers. But the right-hander is a better pitcher than that. Carrasco has a career 3.68 ERA when facing teams above the .500 mark. And the last time out was one of the worst starts of his career. It's unlikely he's that bad again.
On top of that, despite the fact the Dodgers are plating 5.5 runs per game over their last 10 games, they have scored four runs or fewer in five of them, with the Under going 6-2-2, including 3-0-1 in their last four overall.
Mix in a slumping Mets offense, and some solid-to-great relievers and this one should sneak below the number.
PREDICTION: Under 8.5 (-110)
Mets vs Dodgers betting card
- Dodgers -1.5 (-115)
- Under 8.5 (-110)
Picks made on 8/20/2021 at 11:40 a.m. ET
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