MLB September 5th Weekend Preview

Two National League divisional races show up on the MLB betting docket this weekend as the Phillies and Mets collide while fighting for top spot in the East, and the Dodgers and D-Backs meet again with first place in the West on the line.

The Mets head into this weekend’s three-game series at Shea versus the Phillies with a three-game lead on Philadelphia in the division. If Philadelphia can pull off a series sweep they would pull even with the Mets, but judging by the season results so far between the two rivals that won’t happen. It’s safe to say the Mets have owned the Phillies so far this season, with a 10-5 record against them. That’s likely why the Mets are a -230 favorite to win the division on the MLB odds, while the Phillies are a +165 underdog.

Getting the series started on Friday will be Brett Myers (8-10, 4.40) for Philadelphia, while the Mets send Mike Pelfry (13-8, 3.66) to the mound. Myers is 4-1 in his last five starts, and in his only start against New York this season he pitched five innings to earn the win. Pelfry has faced the Phillies twice this season and posted a 1-0 record with a 5.40 ERA.

Saturday’s pitching matchup is a veteran battle between the Phillies’ Jamie Moyer (12-7, 3.80) and the Mets’ Pedro Martinez (5-3, 5.07), while Sunday’s finale features lefty aces with Cole Hamels (12-8, 3.01) facing off against Johan Santana (12-7, 2.71).

The Diamondbacks and Dodgers clash in Los Angeles on Friday with only 1.5 games separating them in the West. Arizona currently leads the division, and they also hold a slim lead in the season series with an 8-7 record against the Dodgers. On the MLB odds Arizona is favored to capture the division at -150, while Los Angeles is the underdog at +140.

Friday’s pitching matchup will be Dan Haren (14-7, 3.24) for Arizona and Derek Lowe (11-11, 3.69) for the Dodgers. Haren faced the Dodgers in his last start when he was roughed up for five runs on 10 hits in six innings to take the loss. On the season Haren is 2-2 with a 4.18 ERA in four starts against Los Angeles. Lowe pitched six shutout innings against Arizona in his last start, a win for the Dodgers. That was Lowe’s second start of the season against Arizona, and he’s a combined 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA against them.

Also on tap to pitch in this series are Brandon Webb (19-6, 3.19) versus Chad Billingsley (13-10, 3.13) on Saturday, while veterans Randy Johnson (10-9, 4.21) and Greg Maddux (7-11, 4.18) are projected to meet up on Sunday.