The New York Mets begin a weekend series in Houston on Friday with starting pitcher Pedro Martinez back on the mound.  Martinez had been in the Dominican Republic with his father who died following a long battle with brain cancer. "All the distractions were a little uncomfortable to deal with, but now I know he's at peace," said Martinez, "It hasn't been easy, but it's time to work and put it all behind and start looking forward to the pitching."  Martinez is 3-2 on the season with a 6.25 ERA. SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Mets on the Road.

MLB Betting Preview
New York Mets (58-50) at Houston Astros (50-57)
Friday, 8:05 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Mets - 113 ,  Total  9.5 Flat 

Martinez will be on an 80 pitch limit in Friday’s start.  He is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last three starts against the Astros. Brandon Backe gets the start for Houston.  He is 6-10 on the season with a 4.73 ERA.  He is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA over his last six games. He is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in five games, three starts against the Mets. 

Here are the MLB betting stats for Friday’s game.  The Mets are 16-6 in their last 22 overall. The Mets are 12-5 in their last 17 games as a favorite. The Mets are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Mets are 2-9 in their last 11 games as a road favorite. The Mets are 6-13 in Martinez’s last 19 road starts. The Mets are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. 

The Astros are 5-2 in their last 7 games as an underdog. The Astros are 12-25 in their last 37 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Astros are 2-5 in their last 7 home games. The Astros are 26-9 in Backe’s last 35 home starts. The Astros are 1-4 in Backe’s last 5 starts as an underdog.

SBG Global Current Line: Mets - 116 ,  Total  9.5 Flat 

The Over is 6-0-2 in the Mets last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 8-2-2 in the Mets last 12 vs. the National League Central. The Over is 4-1 in the Mets last 5 games as a favorite. The Over is 4-1 in the Mets last 5 overall. The Over is 17-5-1 in Martinez’s last 23 road starts. 

The Under is 9-1 in Astros last 10 Friday games. The Over is 6-1-1 in the Astros last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 4-1 in the Astros last 5 games as a home underdog. The Over is 6-2-2 in the Astros last 10 overall. The Under is 6-2 in Backe’s last 8 starts vs. the National League East. The Under is 26-11 in Backe’s last 37 starts overall. The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Houston between the two teams.

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