MLB Game Preview: Baltimore Orioles (74-78) vs. New York Mets (69-82)

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Venue: Citi Field, Flushing, Queens, New York.
First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Probable starters: RHP Chris Bassitt (Orioles, 7-5, 4.88 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 66 K in 90.1 IP) vs. RHP Robert Stock (Mets, 1-3, 5.93 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 29 K in 30.1 IP).

Weather Forecast

Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with a high near 77–79°F. Southwest winds around 5–8 mph. Low precipitation chance during the evening hours. Comfortable late-summer conditions at Citi Field with no significant weather disruptions expected.

Injury Reports

Orioles: Luis Robert Jr. (10-day IL, hamstring), Blaze Alexander (10-day IL, back), Christian Franklin (10-day IL, hand), Kyle Bradish (15-day IL, abdomen), plus longer-term absences including Zach Eflin, Ryan Helsley, Keegan Akin, Ryan Mountcastle, Tyler O’Neill, Felix Bautista, and others. Shane Baz (elbow, hit by comebacker Tuesday) and Samuel Basallo are listed as day-to-day/probable.

Mets: Devin Williams (15-day IL, shoulder), Cionel Pérez (15-day IL, forearm), Jorge Polanco (60-day IL, ankle), Reed Garrett (60-day IL, elbow), Tylor Megill (60-day IL, elbow), and additional long-term injuries.

Current active groups feature key Orioles contributors such as Pete Alonso, Coby Mayo, Gunnar Henderson, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jeremiah Jackson, and Colton Cowser. Mets rely on Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, Carson Benge, Marcus Semien, Francisco Alvarez, and available depth.

Recent Team Forms

Orioles: 74-78 (fifth in AL East). Won the first two of this series (2-1 and 7-5 in 11 innings on Tuesday, featuring Alonso’s 300th career homer and Mayo’s inside-the-park HR). Last 10: 5-5. Still chasing a wild-card spot (a few games back). Road: 38-39. Offense powered by home runs (184) but modest average (.234). Team ERA ~4.16.

Mets: 69-82 (fifth in NL East). Lost three straight and assured of a losing season. Last 10: 5-5. Home: 34-42. Eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the series. Similar overall stats (ERA ~4.16, .238 AVG, 190 HR).

Series History

Orioles lead the 2026 season series 2-0 (and the current three-game set 2-0). Baltimore has won the first two meetings at Citi Field, including a dramatic extra-inning victory Tuesday. Limited prior 2026 meetings otherwise.

Key Player vs. Player Matchups / Pitching Edge

Bassitt holds the edge with more experience and a solid career mark against the Mets (2-0, 0.44 ERA in limited prior starts). He has been serviceable recently despite an elevated WHIP. Stock (primarily a reliever/opener profile in limited 2026 work) has struggled with a high ERA and WHIP in his starts/appearances and is unlikely to work deep into the game, putting early pressure on the Mets bullpen.

Key hitters: Alonso (milestone power vs. former team), Mayo (hot with recent multi-HR impact), and Henderson vs. Stock; Soto, Lindor, Bichette, and Benge vs. Bassitt. Citi Field dimensions and evening conditions favor a balanced or slightly pitcher-leaning environment, though both lineups possess power.

Betting Trends

Orioles have covered as road underdogs in the series and carry recent momentum.

Mets priced as home favorites despite poor form and a less reliable starter.

Recent series games have gone Over (including the high-scoring extra-inning affair).

Game Odds

Baltimore Orioles            9

New York Mets                 – 135

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, September 15, 2026

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