Mets vs Padres Prediction - MLB Picks 7/7/23

Padres Betting Preview

San Diego moved to 41-46 after sweeping Los Angeles. The Padres bullied the Angels in interleague action, and they’ll look to keep things going against the Mets this weekend. The San Diego offense is scoring 4.31 runs per Game, while batting .228, with a .317 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.76 ERA, with a 1.23 WHIP. Fernando Tatis has multiple hits in four of the last five Games, and he leads the Pads in batting (.287) and home runs (16), with 44 RBI. Juan Soto scored three times in the Game one win over LAA, and he’s batting .272, with a team-lead 47 RBI, with 15 homers. Manny Machado went off against the Angels with multiple hits in all three Games, while homering in the series finale, and he’s now posting splits of .258/12/41. Xander Bogaerts went yard in the first two matchups with LAA, and he’s posting an identical line of .260/10/35. 

Yu Darvish (5-6, 4.84 ERA, 85 Ks) will get the start for San Diego. The eleventh-year pitcher had a tough time in the Bay against San Francisco last time out, giving up four runs in six innings to drop his second straight decision. Darvish has struggled with consistency, and this will mark his first appearance in over two weeks. After allowing four runs or more in four of his last five starts, he’s shown signs of vulnerability as well. The 5x All-Star has taken a step back this season, but there’s hope he can bounce back against a struggling Pirates lineup.

New York vs San Diego Trends

New York is 36-51 against the spread this season, with a 37-47-3 O/U record. San Diego is 42-45 ATS this year, with a 34-48-5 over/under record.

Corey’s Free Pick

You’ve got to love the life both teams have come out and shown early this month, and this could wind up being the best series of the weekend. Game one has the potential to get messy for both pitchers, as both veterans have shown signs of age, and the bats’ are swinging throughout both lineups. Justin Verlander set the tone and opened July with a gem against the Giants, but he’s been a little vulnerable on the road this season. Yu Darvish will be making his first start in over two weeks, and he was way shakier than his counterpart prior to the IL stint. I feel like this matchup would be the Mets Game to steal, but the total brings a bit more security here. Take the Over for Game one of the Mets/Pads series.