On Sunday night, the San Francisco Giants host the New York Mets at 7:10 p.m. ET on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, as these National League rivals conclude an important series. The Mets, holding a 61-44 record, lead the NL East division, while the Giants stand at 54-51, trailing by two games for the final NL Wild Card spot. After winning the first two games of the series by limiting the Giants to only two combined runs, the Mets aim to complete a sweep, while the Giants strive to regain momentum ahead of the trade deadline.
Kodai Senga to Lead Mets’ Starting Rotation Against Giants’ Bullpen Strategy
Kodai Senga, the Mets’ standout right-hander with a 7-3 record and a 1.79 ERA, is set to take the mound for New York. This will be Senga’s third start since returning from the injured list, though he has pitched just seven innings over those two outings while allowing four runs, all recorded in his most recent start. The Giants will counter with Matt Gage, who holds a 0-0 record and an ERA of 0.00 in nine appearances this season, initiating a bullpen game designed to stretch San Francisco’s pitching depth. Following Gage, reliever Carson Seymour is expected to pitch multiple innings as the Giants try to halt their losing streak in the series.
Betting Odds Favor Mets as Giants Aim to Avoid Series Sweep
SportsLine’s latest consensus odds list the Mets as road favorites at -124, with the Giants as underdogs at +104. The total combined runs are set to eight. These numbers reflect the Mets’ recent strong pitching performances and the Giants’ urgency to secure a win tonight despite deploying a bullpen-heavy approach after consecutive losses against New York’s pitchers Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.
Angelo Magliocca’s Sunday Night Baseball Parlay Highlights Kodai Senga’s Performance
Angelo Magliocca, known as “Amags” and recognized for his success as an MLB handicapper, has crafted a same-game parlay for Sunday Night Baseball, featuring Kodai Senga. His parlay on DraftKings, which offers odds of +420, involves Senga delivering three or more walks and five or more strikeouts, coupled with the Giants maintaining a spread of +1.5 runs.
- Kodai Senga to issue 3 or more walks
- Kodai Senga to record 5 or more strikeouts
- Giants to finish within 1.5 runs
Analyzing Kodai Senga’s Current Form and Matchup Challenges
Despite the Mets’ pitching dominance in the series thus far, Senga’s recent performances have been mixed since his return from the injured list. In seven innings over two starts, he has walked five batters, yielded eight hits, and allowed four runs, all in his latest outing. Control remains a concern, as excessive walks often hinder a pitcher’s effectiveness. For Senga to help the Mets secure another win, he needs to pitch deep enough into the game, ideally lasting five innings or more to confront the Giants’ lineup several times.
Many Giants hitters pose a challenge for Senga, especially left-handed batters who have elevated walk rates this year. The Giants’ middle lineup — the second through fifth hitters — each maintain a walk rate exceeding 11.5%, including Rafael Devers, who boasts a walk rate above 17% against right-handed pitchers. This context supports betting on Senga issuing at least three walks, which also unlocks boosted odds in betting markets. There is additional value seen in wagering on Devers to draw one or more walks at favorable odds, given his disciplined at-bats.
Senga’s Strikeout Potential Against Giants’ Vulnerable Lineup
On the positive side, Senga has been effective at generating strikeouts this season. He has struck out 41 left-handed hitters in 39 innings, averaging more than a strikeout per inning. His strikeout numbers against right-handed batters are similarly strong. Prior to his injured list stint, Senga recorded at least five strikeouts in eight of his last ten starts and has maintained solid underlying statistics since returning.
Many Giants batters tend to strike out frequently against right-handed pitching, with seven of the nine projected hitters in Sunday’s lineup possessing strikeout rates over 22%, and five surpassing 25%. Senga’s signature forkball, or splitter, has proven effective at generating these strikeouts, making a five-or-more strikeout outcome for him a realistic expectation. This contributes significantly to the appeal of Magliocca’s parlay, as the strikeout component elevates potential returns.
Giants Seek to Steal a Win Despite Bullpen-Heavy Approach
After losing two closely contested games to the Mets, the Giants face immense pressure to avoid a sweep. Employing a bullpen game tonight presents its difficulties, especially since their top starters have already been used in the series. Yet, the Giants’ offense is capable of producing runs, and the Mets’ starter Senga shows signs of inconsistency. With the Giants receiving +1.5 in the spread, they have an opportunity to remain competitive even if the Mets prevail once again.
Implications for Both Teams Moving Forward
The outcome of this Sunday Night Baseball contest carries notable significance for postseason positioning. The Mets, as NL East leaders, seek to strengthen their hold on the division and signal their pitching depth before the trade deadline. For the Giants, snatching a victory could revitalize their Wild Card aspirations and provide momentum for upcoming roster decisions. Kodai Senga’s performance will be a primary factor in determining whether New York can complete the sweep or San Francisco can extend the series with a morale-boosting win.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Kodai Senga?
A. Kodai Senga went on the injured list because of a hamstring strain. Upon returning in 2024, he hurt his left calf during fielding.
Q. Is Kodai Senga an ace?
A. Mets’ top pitcher, Kodai Senga, might return to the team’s lineup next weekend in Kansas City, according to NBC Sports.
Q. Why is Kodai Senga called Ghost?
A. When thrown, it vanishes like a ghost, and it’s a forkball—a type of slower splitter. MLB.com explains further: While many people call it a forkball, Senga says it’s actually more like a splitter.
Q. Why is Kodai Senga the ghost?
A. His successful forkball pitch is called the “ghost fork(ball)” in Japan. This nickname matches his glove design, which shows a ghost holding a pitchfork.