For the rubber match of their second series of the season, the Atlanta Braves play host to the division-rival New York Mets on Wednesday. Both teams have claimed 4-1 victories in the past two days.
New York won Tuesday’s contest behind home runs from left fielder Adam Duvall and first baseman Matt Olson. They both had two RBIs, as well.
While these two clubs haven’t gotten together all that much over the first half of the season, they’re scheduled to play a dozen times in the months after the All-Star break.
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets
The teams split a four-game set at the beginning of May. The Mets (54-34) are 6-4 in their last ten outings. That span includes a series win over Cincinnati and a split with Miami.
New York holds the lead in the National League East and has notched 26 away wins, the third-most in the Senior Circuit.
Only Milwaukee (28) and San Diego (27) have more. Atlanta (53-36) has come out on the right side of four of their last five.
Braves Performance Recap
Before bringing in the Mets, the Braves swept Washington in a three-game bill. This will be the last game in a 10-game homestand.
As of right now, Atlanta is staying neck and neck with the Mets in the NL East, as only 1.5 games separate these two squads entering this matchup.
The Braves have been better than any of the MLB teams in the NL on their home diamond, compiling a 31-19 record.
Atlanta’s Braves Offense
Prior to making Mets vs. Braves betting predictions, let’s take a peek at Atlanta’s offensive output thus far. The Braves rank in the top third of the major leagues with a .250 collective batting average.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson paces the order, hitting .297. Third baseman Austin Riley is another Atlanta player with an average of over .280 at the dish.
Riley and Swanson — along with Olson — lead the team in runs batted in. Collectively, the lineup has piled up the third-most RBIs in the bigs, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.
Their grade in that category is no surprise, as the Braves have also clobbered 134 home runs, the most in the NL.
Batters Led by Riley
Seven different Atlanta batters have posted double-digit homers, led by Riley, who has 24. Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna has belted 17, while Swanson and Olson both have 14.
Riley has been on a tear over the past week, pinning up a .483 batting average in 29 at-bats.
Braves vs. New York Mets Odds
MLB odds point to the home team pulling within 0.5 games in the standings, something that didn’t seem likely a month or two ago.
Atlanta is -1.5 on the run line at +130, while the Mets are -156 to cover the spread. On the moneyline, MLB odds have the Braves are -156, while New York is a +132 underdog.
The total has been set at 8.5 runs, with both the over being -114 and under -106 at the time of this writing.
Mets Batting Average
The Mets have the third-best batting average in the NL, hitting .255. Only Colorado has a better mark in that category, swinging two ticks better.
Three regulars — second baseman Jeff McNeil, right fielder Starling Marte, and left fielder Mark Canha — have averages of .273 or better at the plate.
However, they aren’t the most powerful group, as their long ball total is teetering on the bottom third of the MLB.
Mets Performance Records
Only two Mets, Alonso, and shortstop Francisco Lindor have at least ten dingers. Alonso, a two-time defending Home Run Derby winner, has 23, which is tied for the sixth-most at the top level.
Center fielder Brandon Nimmo has come around to score 52 times, while both Lindor and Marte have registered 50 runs.
McNeil has been stellar swinging the bat on the road, putting up a .336 average. Alonso has hit 14 of his homers away from Citi Field.
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets Betting Preview
Who Is Starting for the Mets?
Right-hander Chris Bassitt is slated to take the mound for the guests, having chalked up a 6-6 record and a 3.94 ERA to this point.
The New York Mets have fallen short in four of his last six outings, his last three starts coming against Miami. Bassitt went 6.1 innings against the Marlins in his last time out, giving up six hits and two earned runs. Unfortunately for him, that pair of scores was enough to tag him with a losing decision.
In each of his last four appearances, he’s given up three or fewer runs. He’s gone at least six frames in every game over that stretch.
Who Is Starting for the Braves?
Charlie Morton will toe the rubber for the Braves. He’s punched out 108 batters, which is enough to rank in the top 10 in the MLB. He has a 5-3 record and a 4.21 ERA.
Atlanta has come away with three wins in his last four starts. In three of those, he turned in at least seven innings of work.
That’s how long he went against Washington last Friday, allowing four hits and a pair of earned runs in a win.
Morton hasn’t conceded more than two runs in an appearance since he gave up four to Pittsburgh on June 11.
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets Picks and Predictions
As we provide some free MLB picks, let’s take into account that the Braves are averaging over a home run per game, and their pitching staff is holding opponents to a .231 batting average.
In considering some trends, Atlanta has won each of its last seven Wednesday games. The Mets are 1-5 in their last six games against squads with a winning record.
Who to Bet On?
With Morton on the mound and a collection of hitters that makes solid contact, our MLB picks today suggest you take the Braves to cover the spread in this one.
MLB Pick: Braves -1.5 (+130)
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