New York Mets at Tampa Bay Rays 5/16/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The New York Mets conclude a three-game interleague series on the road Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays. New York is 18-14 following a 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay in the first game of the series on Friday. New York remains in first place in the National League East by a half-game over the Philadelphia Phillies. The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for New York. The Mets have the second best team ERA in baseball at 2.90. 

Pete Alonso is batting .250 to lead all New York regulars and the first baseman has team highs in home runs with five, RBIs with 17 and hits with 28. Right fielder Michael Conforto leads the Mets in on-base percentage at .362. On Sunday, the New York Mets will send Marcus Stroman to the mound. The right-hander is 3-3 with an ERA of 2.01, 34 Ks and 9 BBs.

Tampa Bay is 21-19 following its victory on Friday in the first game of the series against New York. Brett Phillips had an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs to give Tampa Bay the walk-off victory. The Rays are fourth in the American League East three games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay has won two straight, but has lost four of the last six.

Joey Wendle is batting .267 to lead Tampa Bay. Catcher Mike Zunino is the leader in home runs eight while designated hitter Austin Meadows has a team high 21 RBIs and left fielder Randy Arozarena is the leader in hits with 34. First baseman Yandy Diaz is the leader in on-base percentage at .395. On Sunday, Tampa Bay will send Ryan Yarbrough to the mound. The left-hander is 2-3 with an ERA of 4.20, 33 Ks and 8 BBs.