The MLB season is back on track following the All-Star Game, as the Mets and Juan Soto close out a three-game series against the Phillies on Sunday. 

Soto and the Amazin’s surprisingly won the series opener Thursday, powered by a pair of Francisco Alvarez home runs. 

The Mets will send Nolan McLean (6-6, 3.52 ERA) to the mound, while Philadelphia counters with reliever Alan Rangel (0-2, 4.19 ERA) as a starter. 

This is good news for the Mets’ bats, as Rangel struggled mightily in his last appearance against the Amazin’s back on June 27. 

After taking over at the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run advantage, he gave up a walk, two hits and two runs in an eventual 4-2 Mets win.

Mets vs. Phillies prediction, best bet

History could very well repeat itself at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday.

Rangel primarily relies on his four-seam fastball, which accounts for 36.2 percent of his pitches, and changeup (33.9 percent), according to StatCast. 

I’d expect Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette and Soto to swing aggressively at whatever Rangel throws early. This trio was responsible for the Mets’ comeback in late June.

New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean throws a pitch. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Soto enters this game ranked among the top percentiles in baseball in Expected Batting Average (xBA) and Expected Weighted On-base Average (xWBA).

Given his hitting ability and impact at the plate, lean on the Mets’ moneyline for the first five innings. An unsung hero who’s been a revelation in several starts also adds more fuel to the fire.

McLean has performed well in individual matchups against Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber this season, striking out Harper three times in six at-bats, allowing only one hit.

Schwarber has a below-average .167 on-base percentage against the Mets right-hander. 

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The rookie has been a standout in an inconsistent Mets bullpen, with 125 strikeouts, the most among first-year players.

If he can silence the Phillies’ key hitters early, it could lead to another strong, surprising start for the Amazin’s.

The Play: Mets First 5 Innings moneyline (-156, FanDuel)

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Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.