This is a 1* FREE PLAY on the UNDER Mets/Padres.

At this time of the season, you always have to look at the Wildcard Race to check a team's motivation level.

These two teams are only separated by 1.5 games for the final NL Wildcard spot, so this is a crucial series for each side.

San Diego saw its five-game home win streak come to an end in last night's 11-4 loss to Minnesota. The Padres have seen the total go OVER in three straight now, but note that the Friars have seen the total go UNDER in four of their last five after playing to three or more straight OVERS in a row.

The Mets took two of three from Baltimore, including a dramatic 4-3 win last night.

We have two really good starters here in Luis Severino (8-6, 3.91 ERA), and Dylan Cease (12-9, 3.46.)

Severino is off a gem vs. the Marlins on Saturday, allowing just four hits, one walk striking out eight, and allowing no runs over nine complete innings.

Cease gave up three runs over six innings in a win over the Rockies in his last outing. Cease will be out to avenge a loss to the Mets on June 16th in which he was shelled for seven runs over 3 2/3 innings (a rare three-game series sweep for the Mets.)

This series has many dramatic storylines, but everything points to a classic "duel" in the opener.

Consider the UNDER.

Good luck, NP