New York Mets vs Texas Rangers

The probable starting matchup favors New York: Zac Thornton has a 3.40 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, compared with Kumar Rocker’s 4.47 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Rocker has been better in his recent starts, but none of his last three lasted beyond 4⅓ innings. That could leave substantial work for a Texas bullpen with a 5.07 ERA over the past 28 days; the Mets’ relievers have posted a 4.17 ERA in that span. Texas remains a threat at home, especially against Thornton: Rangers hitters have a .761 OPS against left-handers this season. Still, New York has won the first two games of this series, scoring 13 runs to Texas’s five. The starting and relief pitching edges make the Mets a modest favorite, rather than a decisive one.