Despite this skid, the Mets still sit atop the National League East, owning a 2.5 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. As the Mets look to turn things around, they could use increased production from one player in particular.

Following the Mets' 9-0 loss to the Rays, Carlos Mendoza and Brett Baty discuss the third baseman's groin tightness, which will keep him day

The Rays cobbled together a big inning for the second straight game, scoring five runs in the fourth to beat the Mets again, this time 8-4. Shortstop Taylor Walls had a big role in the win, delivering two doubles and dropping a squeeze bunt in the middle of the fourth-inning outburst.

The one and only Stitches has been handicapping baseball, daily, for the Post since 2019. Miraculously, he has finished in the black twice. But wait there’s more. He showed his versatility by winning the Post’s NFL Best Bet crown last year.

The Tampa Bay Rays (37-32) and New York Mets (45-25) play the second game of a 3-game series Saturday. First pitch from Citi Field in New York is set for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Rays vs. Mets odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.