Mets look to play spoiler as Nolan McLean takes the mound against struggling Texas Rangers

I tend to think most things just kind of even out overall in sports betting. Yesterday was one of those days. I bet over 6.5 runs in the Yankees-Rays game with very good pitchers on the mound. It snuck over the total with seven runs scored. I also bet on the Angels, and they were dominating the game ... until the bullpen took over and they gave up the lead. 

Hopefully, I can dodge the bad luck and keep rolling with the good as we play the Mets vs. Rangers.

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The New York Mets' season has been a disaster, which is a sentence that is becoming far too common if you're a Mets fan. They are 13 games under .500 for the season, but they've been surprisingly decent on the road this year. Their only role remaining this season is to play spoiler. You have to wonder what the team is going to do this offseason to try to adjust. The lineup doesn't have a ton of options to upgrade. The pitching staff is likely where they start with their focus.

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Nolan McLean of the New York Mets reacts in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in New York City on April 21, 2026. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Tonight, they have one of their best arms on the hill as the Mets send out Nolan McLean to the hill in hopes of ending his year with a strong final start. McLean is 11-10 for the season with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. For the season, McLean is 24th or better in ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP in the majors. 

He has been great on the road this season with a 2.89 ERA and holding opposing hitters to batting just .197. The Rangers haven't faced McLean much in his career, hitting just 2-for-10 against him.

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The Texas Rangers are still trying to fight for the American League West. They are fighting for the top spot with the Astros, and they are currently tied for the division lead. Whoever loses is also not assured of a playoff spot, as they are chasing the White Sox in that race as well. 

The Rangers have picked a bad time to lose some games as they've dropped the past two games, including the opener against the Mets. Now they need to figure out the way to win and stay alive.

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker (55) checks his line up card during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on Feb. 20, 2026. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

The Rangers have one simple mission: win to get in. In hopes of getting there, they trade Cody Bradford. For the season, Bradford is 0-5 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He has been better at home this year than on the road, sporting a 3.50 ERA over just four games played. He has only appeared in eight games, but the Rangers are 1-7 in the games he has played. He has not faced the Mets this season and has only faced Mets hitters seven times over his career, and they are 2-for-7 against him.

New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean reacts after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies during a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

I'm not sure how you can back Texas in this spot. The Rangers are not playing great baseball, even if they need to play it right now. Bradford has been fine overall, but the Rangers haven't given him much support. I'm going to take the Mets and McLean today, as I think he positions himself better for the win. 

Give me the Mets moneyline.

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