The New York Mets host the Houston Astros for an important three-game set beginning tonight at Citi Field. These ballclubs have been red-hot in June as they have the two best records in Major League Baseball this month. The Astros are 15-7 while the New York Mets are 15-6. New York is coming off a two-game series sweep over the rival Yankees, where the Queens ballplayers saw their offensive come alive. The Mets outscored the Yankees 21-9 over those two games earlier this week.
Houston comes to “The Big Apple” winners of seven straight. They took two of three games against the Chicago White Sox, took all three games from the Baltimore Orioles, and both games from the Colorado Rockies. How will the New York Mets fare at home this weekend against another streaking team?
New York Mets Offense Leading The Way In June
The two teams with the best records in June go head-to-head this weekend in a three game series ? Who ya got, the @astros or @Mets ?#Relentless | #LGM pic.twitter.com/JzdpxWLlmB
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 28, 2024
The Mets(39-39) are now only one game back of the third and final National League Wild Card spot. Their offense has put up double digit run totals five times this month after only doing so twice in the first few months of the 2024 season. New York’s offense is now eighth in batting average, fourth in home runs, and 10th in runs scored. This winning streak has been powered by a committee-like approach at the plate.
Right Fielder Starling Marte is leading the team in batting average(.276) while First Baseman Pete Alonso leads the ballclub with 16 home runs.
Astros Powered By Pitching and Hitting In June
The offense of the Houston Astros (40-40) has been great, and the team’s pitching staff is starting to hold up their end of the bargain now. That is a scary proposition for the 29 other MLB franchises as Houston has been arguably the league’s most consistent team over the last decade. The Astros now find themselves 3.5 GB of the third and final AL Wild Card spot.
Houston is leading the league in batting average, seventh in home runs, and 13th in runs scored. Second Baseman Jose Altuve is 11th in the league in batting average(.303) and Right Fielder Kyle Tucker is tied for ninth with 19 home runs and seventh in OPS. Tucker has been sidelined for nearly a month with a shin injury.
The pitching staff of the Astros has surrendered two runs or fewer in nearly half of their games this month.
Looking Ahead To Tonight’s Game
Tonight’s game will feature Astros Starting Pitcher Ronel Blanco(8-2, 2.34 ERA) against Jose Quintana(3-5, 4.38 ERA) of the New York Mets. Blanco has been one of the league’s best pitchers this season as he is seventh in ERA and 11th in WHIP. He is coming off a solid start against the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles. He surrendered one earned run over seven innings of work.
Quintana has been more inconsistent this season but has fared better as of late. He tossed 6.1 scoreless innings on Friday against the Chicago Cubs. Both the New York Mets and Houston Astros are looking to cap off what has been a great June. This three-game series in Queens will be a great measuring stick for both clubs as they look to keep pace in the wild card races of their respective league.
The eyes of the baseball world will turn to Queens as the two hottest teams in the league face off this weekend.
For More Great Content
Check out all of the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy.