Practice Pick 9: NYM (-120) @ AZD ML

Fans around baseball are enjoying the Mets early season struggles.  The Mets have the highest payroll in MLB and are out to a 14-23 start. 

New York is still without Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert and Jorge Polanco tonight, all remain on the injured reserve.  

Nolan McLean (1-2) starts tonight for the Blue and Orange.  McLean is my pick for Rookie of the Year in the NL and his numbers through his first seven starts make him the early frontrunner.  The Mets young righty is pitching as good as any starter in baseball.  His 2.12 FIP (fielding independent pitching) puts him in elite company amongst a group that includes Tarik Skubal, Dylan Cease, Christopher Sanchez and Shohei Ohtani.  He doesn't issue many walks with excellent command of a 95 mph sinker and his breaking stuff has exhibited some of the highest spin rates in all of MLB.  Opponents are hitting .043 against the curveball this season.

Ryne Nelson (1-3) starts for the Snakes.  Nelson was Arizona's best starter down the stretch last season but is out to a rough start.  He has been shelled in the desert this season.  In three home starts, Nelson has posted a 14.40 ERA.  It's likely just an anomoly but he currently has a 5.4 BB/9 (walks per nine innings) and a 3.6 HR/9 (home runs per nine innings) at Chase Field this season. Until those numbers fall off a bit, I'd say he is as juicy as a cactus in the Sonoran Desert.

Arizona's bullpen has pitched well better than expected but let us not forget what we learned last season.  Kevin Ginkel has a tremendous ability to blow a game.  The Met's bullpen is a flat out liability.  It could be the worst bullpen in MLB but they have Weaver, Raley and Williams well rested at the top tonight.  McClean is likely to get through six innings.  Raley is consistently solid and Weaver has recorded three straight scoreless innings, racking seven K's without issuing a walk.  

I like the Mets tonight.  If they can score four runs, it should be enough for a win.

------------------Sunday, April 19--------------------

Today's Pick: NYM (-120) @ AZD ML

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The Pickstreak preseason has been fun.  I'm getting in a good rythym.  Eliminating the nighly recap idea is a load off.  Adding the Game Day posts is more than a sufficient improvement this season.  

I'm thinking that one more week of preseason will do. I'll start making official picks next weekend.  My goal is still to put 50 units in play and to bank more than 50 units before the end of September.

Stay Tuned.