MLB Predictions Preview …The New York Mets and Florida Marlins enter into a crucial three-game weekend series Friday with both clubs trying to stay within sight of NL East leaders, Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets will start left hander Oliver Perez (7-7, 4.12 ERA) in game-one Friday while Ricky Nolasco (11-6, 4.07 ERA)will be the starting pitcher for the Marlins.
MLB Predictions Betting Line … Oddsmakers at online super-sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) currently have the Mets listed as – 134 money line favorites versus the Marlins, while the game's total is sitting at 8½. The Marlins are getting +124 money line odds as a road underdog.
Perez will start on Friday against the team he has beaten twice in three starts this season. He has a 2-2 record — but the Mets' record is 5-2 — in his seven most recent starts. His ERA in that period is 1.97.
Nolasco was pretty close to a complete game in a win against the Rockies on Saturday, but he'll settle for a solid eight-inning effort. Nolasco gave up three runs off four hits while striking out a career-high 13 batters and walking none. The 25-year-old's only flaw was not being able to figure out Matt Holliday, who was responsible for two of the runs and three of the hits. Other than that, and a 22-pitch first inning that saw him give up a run, Nolasco was unhittable. He finished retiring the last seven hitters in order and threw 93 pitches. It was his first win in five starts.
Chris Volstad combined on a four-hit shutout on Thursday, as the Marlins defeated the Phillies 3-0. The Marlins won that game as +190 underdogs, while the team's played UNDER the day's posted over/under (9).
Hanley Ramirez, Josh Willingham and Matt Treanor drove in the runs for the Marlins. Volstad tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits in the win.
David Wright hit a walk-off home run as the Mets defeated the Padres 5-3 in the rubber match on Thursday, as -280 favorites. The eight runs made it OVER the posted over/under (7.5).
Wright finished 3-for-5 at the plate, and Nick Evans also had two RBIs for the Mets. Aaron Heilman closed out the game and was credited with the win in relief.
