Mets vs. Dodgers: Free Expert Pick And Prediction For Today (6/2/22)

Sports betting analyst Nick Galaida breaks down Mets vs. Dodgers odds, previews each team, and delivers picks and predictions for Thursday. Use our PointsBet promo code to get a $2000 in free bets!

Mets vs. Dodgers Odds

On Thursday evening, the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers will begin a four-game, weekend set at Dodger Stadium. Entering play, the Mets and Dodgers own the two best records in the National League, but their recent body of work could not be more different. New York has won six consecutive contests, and Los Angeles is coming off of getting swept against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the series opener, the Mets will hand the ball to Taijuan Walker, who will be opposed by Tony Gonsolin. Oddsmakers anticipate the Dodgers getting back in the win column in this spot, pricing them as -174 favorites on the moneyline.

Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where bettors can find value at sportsbooks for this matchup.

New York Mets

On the season, Taijuan Walker owns a 2.83 ERA, but a 4.10 xERA and a 3.83 FIP portend regression. Further, Walker ranks below league average by significant margins in average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, xwOBA, barrel percentage, strikeout percentage, whiff percentage, velocity, and spin rates. In five outings during the month of May, Walker posted a pedestrian 11.6 strikeout percentage against an 8.3 walk percentage, with a 1.43 WHIP. In a tough matchup, bettors should not look to Walker as a trustworthy option.

If the Mets do find a way to win this game, it is likely to be a result of a strong day at the dish. Across the last two weeks, New York ranks 2nd in OPS, 13th in ISO, 23rd in walk percentage, and 2nd in strikeout percentage. On the year, the Mets rank 2nd in OPS and 18th in ISO against right-handed pitching. This is a group with plenty of talent, capable of doing damage on any given night.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Entrusted with a permanent position in the rotation to begin the 2022 campaign, Tony Gonsolin has not disappointed, with a 1.80 ERA, 2.48 xERA, and a 3.19 FIP. He also owns a healthy 25.3 strikeout percentage and a 0.93 WHIP–both of which rank in the 66th percentile or better among qualified starters. Gonsolin is strong against both left- and right-handed batters as well, with a 3.44 FIP and a 1.06 WHIP against lefties, and a 2.80 FIP and a 0.74 WHIP against righties. Though he is not the sexiest name on the star-studded Los Angeles roster, he is one of the more talented players at Manager Dave Roberts’ disposal.

The sky seems to be falling in Los Angeles after losing three-straight home games to Pittsburgh, but this is not the fault of the offense. In those three games, the Dodgers still scored 12 runs, despite hitting only 6-for-28 (.214) with runners-in-scoring position. Los Angeles actually out-hit Pittsburgh in two of those three contests. Across the last 14 days, the Dodgers still rank 3rd in OPS, 2nd in ISO, 2nd in walk percentage, and 12th in strikeout percentage–supporting the notion that things are nowhere near panic mode in Hollywood.

Mets vs. Dodgers Free Pick 

Bettors may not be extremely familiar with Tony Gonsolin, but he is unquestionably the better starting pitcher in this matchup. Both of these offenses are capable of doing significant damage on any given night, but the Dodgers are unmatched in their ability to constantly put pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses. This could be especially true against Taijuan Walker, who has struggled mightily to limit baserunners in recent trips to the mound. Take Los Angeles in this spot to jump out to an early lead on BetMGM.

• EXPERT PICK: Dodgers (-0.5) F5, (-125)