MLB betting preview April 23: Mets, Nats Begin Weekend Series, Phillies Travel to Colorado

New York Mets (J. deGrom 1-1) vs Washington Nationals (E. Fedde 1-1)

After wrapping up a three-game stint in Chicago, the New York Mets finally travel home to face the last-place Washington Nationals.

Jacob deGrom, who has been nothing short of sensational through three starts, is in line to start for New York, where he’ll look to build upon an uncanny beginning to his 2021 campaign.

Despite his 1-1 record, deGrom’s ERA is a minuscule 0.45, with a 0.70 WHIP to boot. He’s struck out 35 batters in just 20 innings pitched, including back-to-back 14 strikeout outings against Miami and Colorado.

It’s nearly impossible to ever consider backing the other side, but the Mets have been an anomaly in deGrom’s starts over the past three seasons, as they’re somehow under .500 despite his Cy Young-esque numbers.

This hasn’t deterred the betting market from juicing up the Mets odds every time he takes the bump, which provides unique opportunities to actually fade deGrom profitably.

The problem, however, is that the Nats pitching has surprisingly been in flux, which likely won’t change when Erick Fedde (5.56 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) takes the mound.

He;’s struggled with his command so far in 2021, walking six in just 11.1 IP. If the Mets offense is to turn it around —  which seems like only a matter of time — it could very well begin Friday night in Flushing.

 

Philadelphia Phillies (V. Velasquez 0-0) vs Colorado Rockies (C. Gonzalez 1-0)

The Fightin’ Phils’ are coming off an exciting walk-off win over the Giants on Wednesday, but that shouldn’t overshadow the disappointment of losing the series to a team they should’ve taken care of.

The unknown of playing at Coors Field makes these games very difficult to handicap, so usually I just default to taking the over in these spots — especially with the enigmatic Vince Velasquez scheduled to get the start.

He’s been used seldom out of the bullpen so far this season, where he’s somehow walked eight batters in just 4.0 IP — which is downright ludicrous.

This further fuels the angle of taking the over in Friday night’s matchup, as it could be a long, long night in Colorado.