Atlanta Braves at New York Mets Betting Preview
NL East rivals will clash for the first of a four-game series on Monday when the Atlanta Braves (10-13) square off with the New York Mets (16-7). The Mets will host this one at Citi Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm ET.
The Braves come into this one having lost two in a row, including a 7-3 defeat on Sunday to the Texas Rangers. In the loss, Kyle Muller struggled, going 2.2 innings and allowing seven runs on four hits and six walks.
Offensively, the Braves managed just six hits and left 17 on base. Dansby Swanson led the way with two hits, a run, and a run batted in.
The Mets capped off a series win against the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday evening with a 10-6 victory. Max Scherzer wasn’t dominant, giving up four runs in six innings, but his offense bailed him out as he still picked up his fourth win of the season.
New York hammered out 15 hits, including four apiece by both Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith. Smith added three runs batted in as well.
The Mets are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -134 to win while the Braves’ moneyline sits at +114. The runline sits at +1.5 for the Braves, and the over/under for total runs is seven.
Braves Trying To Shake World Series Hangover
After their remarkable run to a World Series title last year, the Atlanta Braves have been anything but solid this year. At 10-13, and having lost six of their last 10, the Braves will try to shake off the World Series hangover and take down the red hot Mets.
Taking the ball for Atlanta in this one is lefty Max Fried. On the season, Fried is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and he has struck out 21 in 24 innings pitched. Additionally, opponents are batting just .233 against him.
Offensively, both Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies have gotten off to strong starts. Riley is hitting .274/.371/.571 with six home runs, 13 runs batted in, and 12 runs scored. He leads all three of those categories (tied in home runs).
Despite hitting just .205/.294/.455, Albies also has six home runs to go along, with 11 runs batted in and ten runs scored.
Against Mets’ starter Chris Bassitt, Orlando Arcia, and Travis Demeritte are a combined four for five against him.
Mets Off To Best Start In National League
Through the first month of the season, the New York Mets have the best record in the National League at 16-7, and they already hold a three-game lead in the NL East over the second-place Miami Marlins. They will try to keep that hot start going as they host the reigning champions.
Acquired in the offseason from the Oakland A’s, righty Chris Bassitt (3-1, 2.25 ERA) will take the ball in the opener. In his last start, a victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, Bassitt went six innings of scoreless ball, allowing two hits and striking out six.
Offensively, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor have gotten off to great starts. Alonso is hitting .250/.320/.420 with four home runs and 18 runs batted in, while Lindor is hitting .281/.369/.472 with four home runs and 14 runs batted in.
Both of these two have had success against Max Fried as well, as they have combined to hit three home runs off of the lefty.
Braves/Mets Betting Prediction
This one is tough given how well the Mets have played versus how poorly the Braves have played. Still, when these two rivals match up, a lot of times, records can be thrown out the window.
Looking at trends, the Braves have won seven of the last ten games with the Mets.
Also, given that the total runs is set at seven, this is expected to be a bit of a pitcher’s duel. While both of these teams have the firepower to bust it open, it wouldn’t be shocking to see this one remain close throughout.
For that reason, the most value lies in taking the Braves at +1.5 on the runline Monday.
