The Boston Red Sox and New York Mets meet Tuesday night at Fenway Park for the second game of their interleague series. First pitch is set for 6:45 PM ET. The Red Sox won the opener 3-1 behind a fast start and strong bullpen work, while the Mets struggled with runners in scoring position.
Boston comes in with a 24-25 record, while the Mets are 29-19. New York is the road favorite, with the Mets listed at -125 and the total sitting at 9.0 runs. Boston has been steady at home with a 13-11 record, while the Mets have had trouble away from Citi Field, sitting at 12-14 on the road.
Red Sox Preview – Looking for Series Win at Fenway
The Red Sox were sparked early on Monday by Jarren Duran, who had a double and a triple in the first two innings. Duran’s triple was his sixth of the year, tied for the league lead. Boston used that momentum to grab a 3-1 win and hold the Mets to just one run despite multiple scoring chances.
Walker Buehler is expected to start for Boston, returning from a shoulder injury. Before landing on the injured list, Buehler was 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA and had won three straight starts. He last pitched on April 26 and threw a simulated game to prepare for this outing.
The Red Sox bullpen has been strong lately. Over the last five games, Boston relievers have allowed only six runs across 19.2 innings, a 2.75 ERA. However, the starting rotation has been shaky, with a 7.56 ERA over the same span. Getting a healthy Buehler back could settle things.
Mets Preview – Offense Needs to Respond
The Mets are looking to bounce back after managing just one run in the series opener. Juan Soto and Pete Alonso had the only hits from the top six in the lineup, both coming off the Green Monster. Soto’s lack of hustle on his hit drew criticism from manager Carlos Mendoza.
Clay Holmes gets the start for New York. He is 5-2 with a 3.14 ERA on the year and has been used mostly in relief until this season. He’s had success against Boston in the past with a 3.54 ERA over 20 appearances, but this will be his first start versus the Red Sox.
Holmes had won three straight outings before giving up four runs to Pittsburgh in his last start. Overall, the Mets pitching staff leads MLB with a 2.91 ERA. Their bullpen has also been sharp, especially Edwin Diaz and Reed Garrett, who have ERAs under 3.00 in May.
Key Stats and Trends
Boston is averaging 4.84 runs per game this season while allowing 4.63. New York has been better on both sides, scoring 4.44 runs and giving up just 3.31. The Mets are 17-28 to the over, while Boston is 24-24. Fenway Park has been neutral this year in terms of run scoring.
Boston starters have struggled with a 4.40 ERA, but the bullpen has been reliable. The Mets have had the best pitching staff in the league this year. Their starters are allowing just 2.85 runs per nine innings, and their relievers have a combined ERA under 3.00.
Both teams have dealt with injuries. Boston is missing key arms like Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford, while the Mets are without Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas Jr., and others. These absences have tested the depth of both clubs.
Betting Prediction
Clay Holmes has been solid all year and gives the Mets a slight edge on the mound. Boston gets a boost from Walker Buehler’s return, but it’s hard to know what to expect after nearly a month off. The Mets’ bullpen and team ERA give them a strong base to bounce back.
The Red Sox showed some spark on Monday, but they’ve struggled to string wins together. New York should benefit from better focus and improved production at the plate in Game 2. Final score prediction: Mets 5, Red Sox 3. Look for the under to hit again.
Pick: Mets -125 / Under 9.0
