The NL East remains mostly muddled nearly three weeks into the season, as the Mets, despite a league-high seven postponements, remain atop the division.
The Phillies, Braves, and Marlins are jostling close behind, while the Nationals have drifted into last.
All five will be in action Wednesday, as the Phillies will look to take the rubber game against the San Francisco Giants, while the Mets, Marlins, Braves, and Nats continue series against the Cubs, Orioles, Yankees, and Cardinals, respectively.
Giants (DeSclafani, 1.06 ERA) vs Phillies (Eflin, 3.15 ERA)
Let’s start in Philly, where Zach Eflin will toe the rubber against 31-year-old Anthony DeSclafani.
Both pitchers have thrived out the gate, making for an interesting pitcher’s duel Wednesday afternoon.
Despite DeSclafani and Eflin’s strong starts to the season, they’ve both been mostly mediocre throughout their career, boasting career ERA’s in the mid 4’s to go along with pedestrian strikeout numbers.
Thus, I’ll look to the lineups to provide the edge in this one — leaning me heavily towards the home team Phillies.
The Giants boast one of the league’s worst offenses again in 2021, as they’re hitting just .205 as a team, with an OBP of .285.
Philadelphia holds a decisive advantage in the middle of their lineup, as Hoskins, Harper, and Realmuto may be the three best hitters on the field Wednesday.
San Francisco is due for regression, and that should begin today at Citizens Bank Park.
Mets (Peterson, 6.30 ERA) vs Cubs (Davies, 10.32 ERA)
Young lefty David Peterson will take the hill for the Mets Wednesday when they visit the last-place Chicago Cubs, as he’ll match up against Zach Davies, who’s really struggled in his first three starts with his new team.
Peterson, after a rough first outing, bounced back admirably in his second start, striking out a career-high 10 batters over six one-run innings.
The Mets lineup, which was initially thought to be the strength of this ball club, has yet to really get it going so far, but some of that can be attributed to the helter-skelter schedule they’ve endured.
A date against Davies could help right the ship for New York, as he’s already walked nine batters over just 11.1 innings.
The Cubs, on the other hand, have no excuse for their lackluster offensive performance, as they’re batting an abysmal .192 as a team.
Outside of catcher Willson Contreras (1.014 OPS, 5 HR), no one is hitting for David Ross’s group, as everyday starters Ian Happ, Joc Pederson, and Jayson Heyward are all batting under .200.
The Mets provide plenty of value to support a play in this spot, as the team should only get better as they continue to play more regularly.
Put me down for 2 units on the road team.
