New York Mets at Miami Marlins
Over/Under: 7
First pitch: 10:10 a.m. PT
Probable pitchers: Noah Syndergaard (3-3, 4.74) vs. Sandy Alcantara (1-4, 5.11 ERA)
If it seems like Alcantara is always facing the Mets, that’s because it actually has been a frequent occurrence since the 23-year-old was first inserted into Miami’s starting rotation late last season.
Today will mark Alcantara’s 15th career start in the majors, with this being his fifth assignment opposite the Mets. And he apparently likes to take on this division rival, as evident in the 2.92 ERA he registered in the first four meetings. In addition, Alcantara has limited the Mets to a paltry .198/.303/.360 slash line in 24.2 innings.
This particular outing will also represent a rematch of the final day of the regular season from a year ago. In the 2018 finale, Alcantara was outdueled by his counterpart this afternoon, Syndergaard, who has an especially crucial task on his hands in this one.
With New York on the verge of getting swept by the Marlins — the team with the worst record in baseball, mind you — there are some rumblings that manager Mickey Callaway could (undeservedly) be fired if the Mets lose.
Well, given his history against the Fish, there may be no better man for the job to save him than the burly 6-foot-6 right-hander. Syndergaard owns the Marlins unlike any other pitcher in the NL East, holding a perfect 6-0 record to go with a sparkling 1.64 ERA and 0.95 in eight career starts.
Even those impressive numbers don’t do his grasp of Miami enough justice. Overall, he’s held the Fish to a minuscule .224/.248/.273 slash line —including just one homer — while etching a pretty 60-6 K/BB ratio in 55 total innings.
Syndergaard has certainly underachieved thus far in the campaign, but so, too, have several other ace-caliber pitchers (like teammate Jacob deGrom), many of which who have already turned it around.
Thor has been on the cusp of doing the same exact thing and today’s opportunity represents perhaps the best opportunity to do so, which Syndergaard should capitalize on. One of his usual overpowering efforts can lead the way to an under, but wait up until first pitch to see if the over/under goes to 7.5 before firing away. Play: UNDER 7/7.5
Yesterday’s Result: Giants-Diamondbacks Under 8.5 (loss)
Zylbert’s 2019 MLB Over/Under Betting Record*: 26-23-2, +0.35 unit
*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit