The Houston Astros and New York Mets will face each other in a three-game series on Friday. The teams will face each other at Citi Field, with starters Ronel Blanco and Jose Quintana on the mound for both teams.
The Astros have slowly climbed to the second position in the AL West standings. After a horrible start to the season, they are just 4.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners. The last ten games have been very productive for Joe Espada's side, going 8-2 with a recent two-game series sweep over the Colorado Rockies.
As for the Mets, they have the same record in their last ten games, which includes a Subway Series rout of their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. But unlike their opponents, they are in a more competitive NL East division with the likes of the Phillies and Braves. Carlos Mendoza's team will still look to continue their strong form.
Astros vs. Mets Game 1: Betting Odds
Astros vs. Mets Game 1: Where to Watch
The game will be available on "Friday Night Baseball," exclusively available to Apple TV+ subscribers. This will be the Mets' third game on Friday night that will be shown on Apple TV+. The streaming service offers a seven-day free trial without a subscription.
Astros vs. Mets Game 1: Prediction
The pitching matchup might be crucial for this game, with both teams in red-hot form. Ronel Blanco is 8-2 this season with an ERA of 2.34. On the other hand, Jose Quintana has a 4.58 ERA with a 3-5 record. Blanco also has been strong on the road with a 5-0 record, while Quintana has struggled at home with 1-3.
The Astros batting lineup led off by Jose Altuve who has a club-best .303, with at least a hit each in his last four games and a .391 average in his last five. Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman are other offensive players to watch out for.
The Mets will rely on their offensive leaders, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo. Another player in red-hot form is Harrison Bader, who had a strong Subway Series against his former club. They head into the game as the underdog and will be looking to upset the odds.