MLB Betting Preview : The San Diego Padres having just battled the Chicago Cubs in a hard fought series welcome into Petco Park the New York Mets for a four-game weekend set starting Thursday night. The Padres will challenge the Mets with up and comer RHP Josh Banks (2-0, 0.00 ERA). The Mets will go with RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-6, 4.98 ERA). MLB Betting oddsmakers at online sportsbook SBGglobal.com currently have the Mets listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game's total is sitting at 8½. The Padres are getting +105 on the ML as a home underdog.
The Mets added Pedro Martinez to the roster on Monday night, and, rather than demote Pelfrey, they retained him in the rotation. That wasn't necessarily the plan until he pitched effectively on Saturday against the Dodgers and shifted Claudio Vargas to long relief. Muniz was demoted instead. Pelfrey had allowed seven hits, a walk and two runs in seven innings against the Dodgers, his second encouraging performance in four starts.
Six days after he pitched six scoreless innings in the Padres' 18-inning victory against the Reds, Banks took a four-hit shutout into the ninth inning before allowing a two-out, RBI single to Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand. Regardless, he produced the first complete-game victory of his career — in his third big league start. Banks had five strikeouts and didn't walk a batter, throwing 60 pitches through six innings and 101 over all, 69 for strikes. He has allowed one run, unearned, in his first three games with the Padres, spanning 17 innings.
The Mets won the rubber match of a three-game series with a 5-3 win over the Giants on Wednesday, as -135 favorites on the road. The eight runs made it OVER the posted over/under (7.5).
Jose Reyes belted a two-run homer to pace the Mets, and finished 3-for-4 at the plate. John Maine improved to 6-4 with the win, and Billy Wagner tossed a scoreless ninth for his 13th save.
The Padres avoided a three-game sweep by taking the rubber match 2-1 Wednesday over the Cubs, as +110 underdogs. The three runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Scott Hairston homered in the win for San Diego. Heath Bell got the win in relief and Trevor Hoffman picked up his 12th save.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Betting Pick: Padres ML +105
