The New York Mets and Houston Astros will take the field on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. ET.
New York (33-38 SU and 26-45 RL) is starting veteran righty Justin Verlander. The 40-year-old is 2-3 with a 4.40 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in eight outings this season.
Houston (39-33 SU and 35-37 RL) is countering with southpaw Framber Valdez. The 29-year-old is 6-5 with a 2.27 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in his 14 starts.
The Astros are -130 moneyline favorites and the game total is 7.5.
New York hasn't won a series since sweeping Philadelphia in late May. The Mets have dropped five games under .500 and 12.5 games behind division leader Atlanta in the NL East standings.
NY scores 4.45 runs per game (16th) and hits .240 (21st) with a .717 OPS (16th). It's hit 85 long balls (10th) and stolen 51 bases (15th) this year. The Mets' pitching staff has compiled a 4.68 ERA (26th) and a 1.36 WHIP (22nd) with 19 quality starts.
Nimmo drives in a pair! ?? pic.twitter.com/LV40R365Jy
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 18, 2023
Verlander will take the mound for New York on Tuesday night. In his last start, the former Astro held the Yankees to one run and three hits in six innings. He's been inconsistent since returning from a shoulder strain, surrendering 16 earned runs in three of his last six starts and only three earned runs in the other three recent outings. How will he fare in his return to Houston on Tuesday?