Feb 28, 2023; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
An awesome atmosphere at the World Baseball Classic turned grim after Edwin Diaz suffered what has been determined as a torn patellar tendon in his right knee after he closed out the Dominican Republic for Puerto Rico on Wednesday night.
Diaz, the New York Mets closer, had 32 saves last season and secured a five-year, $102 million contract in the offseason as the Mets try to compete in the vaunted NL East after winning 101 games in 2022.
The Mets, who were +750 to win the National League heading into the season and only behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in terms of World Series odds, are now +900 and behind the Atlanta Braves as well.
Here are the updated odds:
2023 World Series odds
Mets World Series Odds Update
Diaz being lost for the year is going to test the Mets bullpen that has talented arms, but none better than the 2022 All-Star, who allowed just nine runs in 62 innings of work last season. Candidates to replace Diaz at the back of the bullpen are David Robertson and Adam Ottavino, but it’s clear that few relievers have the impact Diaz does on a team after last season, evident in the team’s odds.
New York will lean heavily on their starting pitching for most of this season, headlined by Max Scherzer and offseason signing and reigning American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.