Sportsbook Handicappers Believe Beltran’s Return Could Help Mets. The New York Mets could be an improved team vs. baseball odds at the sportsbook with the addition of Carlos Beltran to their starting lineup. Beltran has not played yet this year but he is expected back in the lineup on Thursday as the Mets face the Giant. The Mets could make a run at the Braves in the National League East with a healthy Beltran and they could have more success vs. baseball odds at the online sportsbook.
Sportsbook odds list the Mets as 15-1 dark horse candidates to win the World Series. New York is within striking distance of the Braves in the National League East as they are four games back at the All-Star break. Beltran could give them a big boost. He is not being slowly worked back into the lineup either as he will be counted on immediately to produce. He is expected to play center field and bat cleanup on Thursday in the game at San Francisco. Beltran is a five-time All-Star so he could make a major impact with the Mets.
Beltran had knee surgery in January and will be wearing a knee brace but he has said he is fully healthy and ready to go. He hit .367 in a 14-game minor league rehab assignment. The Mets will move Angel Pagan from centerfield over to right field but Jeff Francoeur will also get playing time as he will start in right field against left-handed pitchers.
The Mets are 6th in the league in pitching but only 17th in runs per game. The addition of Beltran should help improve those numbers. If the Mets get improved offense they might have enough to catch the Braves. Atlanta’s one weakness is scoring runs so perhaps Beltran can be the difference in the division. The Mets are 13th in batting average and they are just 23rd in home runs. Beltran is known to be a good hitter and he does have some power.
With David Wright having a nice season, Beltran should be able to fit right into the lineup and produce immediately. New York is definitely worth looking at in terms of baseball odds at the online sportsbook for the second half of the Major League Baseball season.