Washington (1-1) at New York Mets (1-1) –230, o/u 7, 7:10 p.m. Eastern
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
Pedro Martinez takes to the mound Thursday as the New York Mets take on the Washington Nationals in the rubber match of this season-opening three-game series in NY.
The Mets won the season opener Monday 3-2 and looked like they were going to take Wednesday’s game, too. But NY closer Billy Wagner allowed a game-tying homer in the ninth, and the Nats scored five runs in the 10th to even the series at a game apiece.
Washington’s old-school manager, Frank Robinson, pulled Alfonso Soriano from the line-up Wednesday after the talented-but-troublesome left-fielder failed to run out a pop-up. His status can only be described as puzzling.
New York won the season series with Washington 10-8 last year.
Washington is 41-42 on the road this year and last, and 48-59 as underdogs.
The Mets are 49-34 at Shea Stadium in 2005 and so far this year, and 51-38 when favored.
The Nats picked up Thursday’s starter, Ramon Ortiz, after Cincinnati released him in December. Ortiz went 9-11 for the Reds in ’05 with a 5.36 ERA. Cincy went 15-15 in games started by Ortiz last season, and the over went 18-10.
Ortiz started one game for the Reds vs. the Mets in ’05, allowing two earned runs and seven baserunners (hits + walks) in seven innings pitched.
Martinez, who saw limited action during spring training because of a toe injury, went 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA last year. The Mets went 17-14 in games started by Martinez in ‘05, and the over went 15-12.
Pedro started twice against Washington last year, allowing three earned runs and 15 baserunners in 13 innings pitched.
The Nationals bullpen, which compiled a 3.52 ERA a season ago, has allowed one earned run in eight innings pitched so far this season.
Mets relievers, who combined for a 3.92 ERA in ’05, have given up four earned runs in seven innings pitched so far in ’06.
Thursday’s projected home-plate umpire, Ted Barrett, called 34 games behind the plate in 2005. Those games averaged 9.2 runs per game, and the over went 19-15 in Barrett-called games.
The under went 91-62 in Washington games last year, 77-71 in Mets games. But the over is 39-36 at Shea Stadium last year and this, and is 7-3 the last 10 games in the series between these two teams in New York.
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The Ultimatecapper Pick: Mets win this one easy.
