NY vs. Tampa Bay (Mets ML)
(MLB) NY Mets vs. Tampa Bay,
Money Line: 134.00 NY Mets (Away)
Result: Loss
Believe in the Amazins to win outright on Friday as moneyline underdogs!

Losers of eight of its last ten overall, Tampa Bay is reeling. It scored just four runs in its last series versus Milwaukee and was swept by the White Sox in its previous set. The Rays sport an OBP under .300 vs. left-handed pitchers, along with a 30.4% strikeout rate and a 1.4% home run rate. Mets SP Jose Quintana was brilliant in his last appearance, holding St. Louis to one run on three hits in eight innings. He has held four of his six opponents to two or fewer runs this season. Behind him is a NY bullpen that's fifth in both ERA and WHIP.

The Mets earned a gritty, come-from-behind victory at home on Thursday. Their bats broke out when it mattered, scoring all seven of their runs from the fifth inning on. They also put 13 runners on base. The win may have helped turn the tide for a team that lost four of its previous six games but was red-hot (8-1 winning stretch) a couple of weeks ago.

Rays SP Aaron Civale pitched poorly in his last two starts. He allowed five runs on eight hits and five walks vs. the Yankees (4.2 innings) and six runs on eight hits vs. the White Sox (4.1 IP). His other four outings were better, but he faced the lowly Angels twice and inconsistent Blue Jays and Rangers lineups in the other two starts. He has allowed at least one HR in all but one start (six total HRs). He is backed up by a Tampa Bay bullpen that sports the highest ERA in MLB (5.55) with the most homers allowed (21). Plus, New York has hit very well away from Citi Field this season (.271 BA/.342 OBP/.425 SLG/.767 OPS), scoring 5.5 runs per game.

As long as Quintana can keep the Mets in the game, NY can win the battle of the bullpens. At +134 odds, I like the value, too.