MLB Betting: Rays vs. Mets Free Pick: June 19th 2009

MLB Betting Free Pick: New York Mets (104) - Fri June 19th 2009 7:10p
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Two weeks ago, RHP Andy Sonnanstine was probably one more bad start away from being booted out of the Tampa Bay rotation. He’s fired back with three decent starts, most recently against Washington, when he allowed just three runs over 7.1 innings of work, striking out a season-high five batters along the way. He’s just 1-6 on the road this season with an 8.55 ERA. In his most recent road start, the Yankees teed off for four dingers against the righty in Tampa Bay’s 5-3 loss. Opposing batters are hitting a lofty .308 against “Sonny” this season, which is a big reason why his ERA is just barely under a touchdown.

The Mets will counter with RHP Fernando Nieve, who will be making just his second start of the season. In his first outing last week, Nieve pitched a strong 6.2 innings in Yankee Stadium for his first MLB victory since 2006. The right-hander is a part of a New York squad that has been absolutely decimated by injuries. The Mets still don’t have a legitimate starting shortstop, first baseman, or left fielder in their lineup due to the injuries of Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado, and the pitching staff has been forced to turn to players like Nieve and Tim Redding where John Maine and Oliver Perez were once slotted in. 3B David Wright (.351) and CF Carlos Beltran (.336) are all that’s carrying an offense right now that features names like Alex Cora, Dan Murphy, Fernando Martinez, and Fernando Tatis.

Let’s be realistic, here. Sonnanstine is still a gas can. Yes, he’s had three really solid starts in his L/5, but those starts came against Washington, Kansas City, and Florida. Any time he has run up against a formidable opponent, they’ve lit him up like a Christmas tree. Seeing him as a road favorite against a solid ball club tonight is an embarrassment. Nieve looked good in his first start as a Met in Yankee Stadium, and whether manager Jerry Manuel has a fully loaded gun to shoot bullets with at the Rays or not, he still has a team that shouldn’t be slighted by the oddsmakers at home.