New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies April 18 Free Pick

By MLB

First I’d like to wish a happy Patriots’ Day to everybody, especially those in the Boston area. While I am really tempted to hit the Jays again this morning, I’m weary of betting against the hometown vibe in the Massachusetts capital. Any other day Toronto is a strong play at the current number, but we’ll pass on Marathon Monday.

Meanwhile, the Mets are gradually starting to hit again and will travel to Philadelphia looking for a little early season revenge after the Phils took two of three at Citi Field a couple weeks back. This is the one that’ll run the winning streak to three.

Free Pick

Just two starts, 13 innings, one run allowed and 21 strikeouts into 2016, Noah Syndergaard already has some Mets fans convinced he’s the ace of the staff, even when Jacob DeGrom comes back and Matt Harvey returns to form. A hasty proclamation? Perhaps not enough. This guy impressed me about as much as any pitcher has in a single start last time out against Miami. Quite simply, he’s got the most dominant fastball of any starting pitcher in the league. He was consistently hitting 99 against the Marlins, sblwhose swings seemed to suggest it looked even faster. But it’s also one of the league’s heavier heaters and has had opponents lunging at 93 mile per hour sliders. Nowhere in baseball can you see a pitcher get guys flailing out in front of a pitch moving at that speed. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a pick’em as to whether or not the Phillies even score today.

But Philadelphia’s starter Jerad Eickhoff may be up for the challenge tonight. He gave up two runs in five innings against the Mets at Citi Field in his first start of the season and shut down the Padres for seven innings the last time out. Eickhoff finished last season very strong for the Phils, which, coupled with his good start this season, has his career ERA just under 2.50 alongside a 1.02 WHIP. Those numbers reflect just 10 Major League starts but the young man is no slouch.

It will take some ‘book flexibility and maybe a little time shopping but this under is dynamite at 7.0. I’d still play it at 6.5, which is the most common number out there right now, but put in the time to hunt for a 7.0 and you’ll be happy you did. Available at sportsbook.ag right now.

Free Pick: Under 7 -110

YTD: 3-2 +1.49

2015: 31-25-5 +1.09

2014: 45-28-3 +9.02


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