NL East rivals will square off in the first of a three-game series Friday as the Atlanta Braves (17-9) take on the New York Mets (15-11). The Mets will host this one at Citi Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm ET.
The Braves are the favorites in this one despite playing on the road. They are -142 to win, while the Mets’ moneyline sits at +120. The runline features New York +1.5 (-146), and the over/under for total runs is 7.5 (-110).
Braves Try To Extend Early Divisional Lead
At 17-9, the Braves already hold a two-game lead over the Mets and a four-game lead over the Phillies and Marlins in the NL East. Although it is extremely early in the season, the Braves would love to extend their early divisional lead by winning this series over the Mets.
Taking the ball for the Braves in this one is southpaw Max Fried. In three games, he is 1-0 with a 0.60 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and he has 11 strikeouts in 15 innings. He was sensational in his last start, going 6.2 scoreless innings against the Houston Astros.
Offensively, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson have been two of the hottest hitters for Atlanta. Albies is hitting .257/.303/.505 with seven home runs, 23 runs batted in, and 12 runs scored. Olson is hitting .250/.370/.540 with seven home runs, 22 runs batted in and 19 runs scored.
Keep an eye on Olson in this one. In eight career at bats against the Mets’ David Peterson, Olson has two home runs and five runs batted in.
As a unit, Atlanta is seventh in scoring, averaging 5.20 runs per game.
Mets Looking To Bounce Back From Tough Series Loss
After dropping two out of three to the lowly Washington Nationals, the Mets will now try to bounce back as they host the division-leading Braves. Luckily for the Mets, they were able to salvage the last game of the Nationals’ series 9-8.
In the win, five of the first six batters had two hits. Brett Baty might have had the biggest night, though, going three for three and hitting his first career home run.
The Mets will try to carry this offensive momentum into Friday’s game. This season, the Mets rank 15th in scoring, averaging 4.52 runs per game (3.63 at home).
Leading the offensive charge is first baseman, Pete Alonso. In 103 at bats, he is hitting .252/.325/.563 with a team-leading 10 home runs, 25 runs batted in, and 20 runs scored. Against the Braves’ Max Fried, Alonso is hitting .281 in 32 at bats with two home runs.
On the mound for the Mets Friday will be lefty David Peterson. In five games, he is 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, and he has 30 strikeouts in 25.2 innings. Peterson has been shelled in back-to-back starts, giving up 13 earned runs in his last 11 innings of work.
Take The Braves To Win On The Road
Looking at the trends, Atlanta is 11-5 in their last 16 games overall, 8-1 in their last nine road games, and 6-1 in their last seven games against the Mets.
As for New York, they are 1-4 in their last five and just 2-4 in their last six against National League teams.
This is all about momentum, and the Braves have all of it right now. Not only are they just playing better baseball altogether, but Max Fried has been the far superior pitcher than David Peterson this year.
Take Atlanta to win straight up (-142) over the Mets.
