Ron's Rundown Friday MLB Best Bet

We are getting such a good price here with the Mets on the -1.5 and it's a price I cannot pass up. The Phillies have had a lot of success in the 2nd half of the season, yes, but when you look at their schedule after the all-star break up until this series, you understand why the Phillies have been winning. Marlins, Nationals, Pirates, and Cubs are four of the five teams the Phils have faced (the Braves being the lone above .500 team). The Mets have dominated the Phillies in 2022, holding a 9-3 series lead. This is a big-time rivalry series and with Max Scherzer struggling a bit at the beginning of the year vs. Philly, I expect a very motivated and electric Mets showing on Friday night. Scherzer has been razor sharp as of late, and the only real thing that scares me about his game is the fact that he does give up a lot of barrels and can be susceptible to the home run ball. The good news for Mad Max is the weather is going to help him out, with winds blowing at over 10 MPH from center field in towards home plate. This should keep the ball in the yard for both teams, and that benefits a more small-ball-dependent Mets lineup that can beat you through base hits and smart base running. The Mets already shelled Ranger Suarez at the start of the season, and that was when the Mets were not really hitting LHP very well. Now, NYM is near the top of the league in team OPS and isolated power vs. LHP in the last month and I like their chances against Suarez. I could see a score in the 4-1, 5-2 range in New York's favor, and I like the Mets -1.5.