MLB *DOG OF THE DAY*
(MLB) NY Mets vs. Pittsburgh,
Money Line: 120.00 NY Mets (Away)
Result: Loss
Play: NY Mets
Rating: 8/10*

The New York Mets defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-1 Friday night, and they look like good value as an underdog at PNC Park Saturday night.

Pittsburgh hands the ball to Gerrit Cole (2-5, 3.36 ERA) who was knocked around for five runs on 10 hits with a pair of homers in 4 2/3 innings of a 5-2 loss at Atlanta his last time out. Cole is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA over 17 1/3 innings through three career starts against the Mets who counter with Zack Wheeler (3-2, 3.74 ERA). Wheeler is a solid 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 17 innings in his last three starts. He'll have the benefit of being backed up by a rested bullpen after 8 1/3 strong innings from Jacob deGrom last night while the Pirates relievers were asked to cover more than half the game.

The Mets are 12-5 in their last 17 road games vs. a team with a losing record while the Pirates are 1-5 in Coles last six starts vs. a team with a losing record.