Mets vs. Marlins prediction and odds for Friday, March 31 (Value on total)

The Mets started its season strong, winning 5-3 on Opening Day against the Miami Marlins, but it was before the game that the adversity already started.

New York placed prized offseason addition, reigning AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, on the injured list with a low grade teres strain. Verlander was the game two starter for the Mets, opening up the rotation for David Peterson to step up and replace him.

Peterson, a lefty, will look to build on a solid 2022 season against a fellow left hander Jesus Luzardo, who is trying to find consistency in his fourth full season.

Here are the odds for Friday's matchup:

The Marlins were the worst team in the bigs against left handed pitching last season in terms of batting average and OPS, so this is already a tough matchup for them. The team acquired Luis Arraez to bolster its lineup, who won the AL batting title last year, but was a .266 hitter against lefties last season.

Peterson was strong in 2022, posting a 3.83 ERA last season in a career high 28 appearances (19 starts) and has a favorable first foe in the Marlins.

On the other side, Luzardo allowed seven runs in about nine innings last season against the Mets, but the team overall was 14th in OPS against southpaws, so I can't count on an explosive outing for them early in the season.

I lean towards the Mets getting a low scoring win, but my favorite play is on the under as both lefties should be in good shape to show out in their first starts of the season.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.