Mets at Royals 8/17/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The New York Mets visit the Kansas City Royals Saturday for the second of three interleague games between the two. The Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves on Thursday 10-8. Pete Alonso had five hits and six RBIs in the win, including a three-run shot that tied the National League record for homers by a rookie at 39th.

The Royals were off on Thursday and Kansas City lost to the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday 6-0 for their third straight loss. Brad Keller issued three walks and was hurt by an early error, but did not give up a hit until the seventh when Marcell Ozuna led off with a single. St. Louis would follow that with four straight hits and score five runs in the inning. Jeff McNeil is leading New York with a .332 batting average and in hits with 132. Pete Alonso leads the Mets in home runs with 39 and RBIs with 91. The Mets are averaging .257 at the plate, while opposing hitters are averaging .255. On Saturday, the Mets will send Jacob deGrom to the mound. The right-hander this season is 7-7 with an ERA of 2.68, 189 Ks and 36 BBs.

Whit Merrifield leads Kansas City with a .305 batting average and in hits with 156. Jorge Soler leads KC in home runs with 35 and in RBIs with 87. Kansas City is averaging .247, while opposing hitters are averaging .272. On Saturday, the Royals will send Jakob Junis to the mound. The right-hander is 8-10 with an ERA of 4.80, 136 Ks and 48 BBs.