The New York Mets (62-44) and the San Diego Padres (57-49) open a 3-game series Monday. First pitch from Petco Park is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Mets vs. Padres odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Padres won Sunday against the Cardinals, 9-2 to earn a split of their four-game series. Manny Machado picked up four of San Diego's 16 hits on the afternoon. The Padres have rallied to pull to within four games of the Dodgers in the National League West.

The San Diego Padres host the New York Mets in the opening matchup of this three-game series at Petco Park. My Mets vs. Padres predictions and MLB picks target San Diego right-hander Dylan Cease and his strikeout ceiling on Monday, July 28.