Mets and Astros play to determine series winner

Houston Astros (68-68, first in the AL West) vs. New York Mets (61-75, fifth in the NL East)

New York; Sunday, 3:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Ethan Pecko (0-0, 7.88 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, five strikeouts); Mets: Zach Thornton (3-4, 2.88 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 40 strikeouts)

LINE: Mets -120, Astros +106; over/under is 9 runs

BOTTOM LINE: Both the New York Mets and the Houston Astros are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.

New York is 61-75 overall and 32-38 in home games. The Mets have a 34-17 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.

Houston has a 68-68 record overall and a 35-33 record on the road. The Astros have the seventh-ranked team batting average in the AL at .241.

Sunday's game is the third time these teams match up this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto has 21 home runs, 63 walks and 53 RBI while hitting .283 for the Mets. Carson Benge is 14 for 40 with two doubles, two home runs and five RBI over the last 10 games.

Isaac Paredes has 23 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 73 RBI while hitting .259 for the Astros. Yordan Alvarez is 11 for 31 with three doubles, a triple and a home run over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mets: 4-6, .243 batting average, 4.23 ERA, outscored by nine runs

Astros: 5-5, .217 batting average, 5.52 ERA, outscored by 14 runs

INJURIES: Mets: Jorge Polanco: 60-Day IL (ankle), Mark Vientos: 10-Day IL (hand), Justin Hagenman: 60-Day IL (rib), Cionel Perez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Devin Williams: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Reed Garrett: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tylor Megill: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Astros: Mike Burrows: 15-Day IL (elbow), Brice Matthews: 60-Day IL (knee), Carlos Correa: 60-Day IL (ankle), Brandon Walter: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.