Mets-Astros prediction: Picks, odds on Tuesday, June 20

On Monday, the New York Mets picked up a big win over the Houston Astros behind a vintage start from Max Scherzer. On Tuesday, they'll look to get another strong start from a veteran pitcher when they send Justin Verlander (2-3, 4.40 ERA) to the mound for Game 2 of the series. The Astros will send Framber Valdez (6-5, 2.27 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

The Astros are -145 moneyline favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Mets are +125 underdogs. The total is set at 7.5.

Mets

Day to day: C Francisco Alvarez (hit by pitch on hand)
Out: RP Edwin Uceta (recovery from left knee surgery), SP Elieser Hernandez (right shoulder strain), SP Jose Quintana (recovery from rib surgery), RP Sam Coonrod (right lat strain)

Astros

Out: SP Jose Urquidy (right shoulder inflammation), OF Michael Brantley (right shoulder surgery), DH Yordan Alvarez (oblique strain)

Justin Verlander vs. Framber Valdez

Verlander is back in Houston after an illustrious five-year tenure that saw him capture two Cy Young awards and two World Series titles. He's had a bit of an up-and-down June, as he's had two starts where he allowed one run in six innings, and one start where he allowed four runs in three runs against the Braves. He's had a ton of success at Minute Maid Park with a career record of 29-12 and a 2.41 ERA.

Valdez enters tonight's start in the midst of one of the best stretches in his career, as he has an ERA of 1.32 over his last five starts, which is the lowest ERA over a five-start span in his career.

Astros P Framber Valdez allowed just 1 ER over 7 IP tonight against the Nationals, lowering his ERA over his last 5 starts to 1.32.

That's the lowest ERA over a 5-start span for Valdez in his MLB career. pic.twitter.com/73lTsd5AWP

– ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 15, 2023

  
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