10* UNDER Mets/Padres (NL NON-DIV TOM)

These teams have been involved in several higher-scoring games of late, including in the Mets 8-3 win in yesterday's series opener, but everything points to more of a "duel" here on Friday finally in our opinion. The Padres lost their second straight and they've now also seen the total go "over" in four straight. Despite yesterday's high-scoring loss though, note that the Friars have still seen the total go "under" the number in eight of their last 12 after playing to three or more straight "overs" in a row. More than anything though it comes down to the starting pitchers for us, with Paul Blackburn (1=1, 3.68 ERA) getting the call for the visitors, and Joe Musgrove (3-4, 4.97) countering for the home side. Blackburn is off an unfortunate no-decision vs. the Marlins on Sunday after allowing no runs over six innings and striking out four. He now has a 20:7 K:BB for his new club and he'll have to continue to be sharp here throwing opposite Musgrove, who conceded just a single run while striking out six over five innings in a no-decision vs. the Rockies in his last start. Musgrove continues to see more and more innings after an injury and to us appears headed in the correct direction, sitting with a 51:18 K:BB over 58 innings thus far. Long story short, we see this being a defensive "duel," and will therefore be playing the "under!"

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