MLB Odds – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets

The off-the-field drama is starting to get to the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the team has dropped four of its last five games.  And to make matters worse, its lone hope in Andre Ethier is dwindling, as Ethier may sit out again tonight after missing action in Wednesday’s loss.

The Dodgers are across the country this weekend, taking on the New York Mets tonight at Citi Field.  The MLB odds favor the Mets, with the run total set at 7.5 runs.

Los Angeles Dodgers (15-17) vs. New York Mets (13-18)

Friday, May 6 at 7:10 PM ET

Citi Field, Flushing, New York

TV: FSPT, SNY

MLB Odds:  Los Angeles +1.5, New York -1.5, Run Total: 7.5 runs

The Dodgers will send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound, coming off recent success.  After his first four starts against New York, Kuroda was 0-3 with a bloated ERA of 7.71, but got a 2-0 win in his last start after going for eight innings. 

Last week, the right-hander gave up two runs in seven innings of play against the Padres.

Opposite Kuroda, the Mets look to Jon Niese, off to a rocky start with four losses on the season. With only two earned runs allowed in his last three starts, Niese is nevertheless coming off a loss to the Phillies.  With a season ERA of 4.71, Niese looks to improve tonight against the Ethier-less Dodgers.

MLB Pitching Matchup:

H. Kuroda (3-2, ERA 3.10) vs. J. Niese (1-4, ERA 4.71)

The Mets have won only twice in their last seven games. In their last win, Jose Reyes contributed two RBIs in New York’s defeat of San Francisco Thursday, while Carlos Beltran went five for 11 with five RBIs in the three-game set against the Giants.

If the Mets can maintain their bats, the team will have a great chance to defeat the toppling Dodgers.  The Mets have won four of the last six matchups against Los Angeles at Citi Field.

The best bet in Friday night baseball is with the favored Mets to win the first game of this three-game weekend series.

MLB Odds Pick – Take the Mets -1.5!