Sporting an impressive 18-9 record, the New York Mets lead the NL East by 4.5 games. It’s a different story in Philadelphia, as the Phillies have lost four of five, dropping to 11-14 overall on the season. However, none of that seems to matter when it comes to the Mets vs Phillies odds on Thursday, as Philadelphia checks in as a strong home favorite.
The Mets won four of six against the Phillies this season, but they check in as underdogs to improve that mark in the first contest of this four-game set in Philadelphia.
Props.com breaks down Mets vs Phillies odds for Thursday.
Odds via WynnBet and update as of 6 p.m. ET on May 5.
New York Mets (18-9) vs Philadelphia Phillies (11-14)
First pitch/TV: 6:45 p.m. ET/MLB Network & MLB.TV
Moneyline: Phillies -140/Mets +130
Run Line: Phillies -1.5 (+125)/Mets +1.5 (-150)
Total: 8 (Over -125/Under +105)
Pitching matchup: RHP Taijuan Walker (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.57 WHIP) vs RHP Aaron Nola (1-3, 3.90 ERA, 0.94 WHIP)
Season series: The Mets lead 4-2, including taking two of three last weekend in New York. They also took two of three in Philadelphia on April 11-13.
Did you know: The Phillies have not reached the playoffs since 2011 and have not won a playoff series since sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in a 2010 Division Series.
About the Mets
Hits & Misses: The Mets lost 9-2 vs. Atlanta on Wednesday to end up with a split of the four-game set. That marks the first time New York did not win a series this season. That’s right, the Mets won a team-record seven series to start the year, including two against Philadelphia. Because of that, the Mets hold a 4.5-game lead over Miami in the NL East, with the Braves and Phillies both sitting six games back. New York is only 4-4 in its last eight games, but the Mets have the best road record in baseball at 9-4 … Also of note: New York released eight-time All-Star 2B Robinson Cano on Monday even with two years and $40 million-plus left on his contract. He was hitting only .195 with one home run.
SP Taijuan Walker vs Phillies: Oddly enough, the right-hander will be making his third start of the season – all against the Phillies. On April 11, Walker left after two innings (shoulder injury) and didn’t return until going against Philadelphia again on April 30. In the limited time, Walker’s results are stellar: seven scoreless innings on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks. He was 0-2 with a 3.76 ERA in five starts against Philadelphia last season. The Mets were 3-2 in those games.
Key injuries: RP Trevor May (right humerus bone) was placed on the 15-day injured list and will not throw for four weeks because of a stress fracture. RP Sean Reid-Foley (elbow) continues to be out indefinitely.
About the Phillies
Hits & Misses: Philadelphia has lost four of five, getting swept in a two-game home series against Texas after losing two of three to the Mets. That came after the Phillies crushed Colorado in four straight by a combined 32-9 margin. Philadelphia has been much better at home this season (8-7) than on the road (3-7). OF Nick Castellanos returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing one game because of the birth of his son. He is hitting .307 this season with three home runs and 12 RBIs. OF/DH Bryce Harper, last year’s NL MVP is hitting .232 with four homers and 15 RBI.
SP Aaron Nola vs Mets: The right-hander is off to a slow start, including two losses to the Mets. Nola allowed three runs on three hits in 3.1 innings in a 9-6 loss to New York on April 13, then took the short end of a 3-0 defeat against the Mets on Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings. He did have nine strikeouts and no walks in that outing. Also in Nola’s defense, the Phillies have scored only one run total in his past three starts. He was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts against the Mets last season, with 33 strikeouts and five walks.
Key injuries: Harper (elbow) will continue to DH because of a strained right elbow. He hasn’t played in the field since April 16.
Notable Trends
- Mets are 4-1 in their last five against Philadelphia
- Under is 9-2-2 in the teams’ last 13 meetings
- Under is 4-1-1 in the teams’ last six meetings in Philadelphia
- Under is 3-0-1 in Walker’s last four starts vs NL East teams
- Over is 3-0-1 in PHI’s last four at home against right-handed starters
Mets vs Phillies Odds and Action
UPDATE 6 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Phillies opened as -135 favorites at WynnBet and climbed as high as -156 before settling back at the current -140, with 59% of bets on the Mets but 57% of money on Philadelphia. The total opened at 8 and is now 8 (Over -125), with 58% of bets and a whopping 96% of money on the Over.