MLB Predictions 2012: San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets

The San Diego Padres (17-31) and New York Mets (26-21) will close out a four-game National League series on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET.

New York opened up as a minus-130 home favorite in the betting odds, while the total has held steady at its opening number of 7.5.

Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (6-1, 3.45 ERA) has led the club to four consecutive wins, including a 3-2 road victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates last time out, allowing just a single run and five hits over seven frames.

The right-hander has garnered a perfect 3-0 record and 2.33 ERA in four home outings, with opponents hitting just .183 against him. It's still important to note that the team is just 3-8 in his last 11 starts as a home favorite.

San Diego is set to counter with Edinson Volquez (2-4, 3.49 ERA), who has dropped his last two outings due to receiving just one run of support over that span. He was handed a 4-0 road defeat by the St. Louis Cardinals in his last effort, giving up three runs and five hits over six innings.

Volquez will be making his fourth career start against the Mets, entering with an 0-2 record and 6.06 ERA, which includes a 3-0 loss in his only outing at Citi Field on Sept. 28 of last year as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.

Umpire Tim Tschida could be an added advantage to the Mets in this contest, with the home team posting a 9-1 record in his 10 games behind home plate during the 2012 MLB season.

Weather forecasts suggest partly cloudy skies and game-time temperatures in the middle 70s, with a slight five to 10 mph breeze out of the southeast.

Pick: New York Mets -130

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