The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are set to start a four game series in Queens over the weekend. The Braves come into the series with a 54-46 record on the season. The Braves are second in the National League East, behind Philadelphia, and lead the National League wildcard standings. Atlanta is coming off a loss on Wednesday.
New York is 53-48 and moved into a wildcard spot in the National League. The Mets are 53-48 on the season, and have won three straight games. The Mets won both games over the Yankees in the series.
In this game, the Atlanta Braves are -130 over the New York Mets
Braves send stud lefty to mound
Chris Sale is projected to get the start for the Atlanta Braves in this game. Sale was planning to throw the second game of the doubleheader on Wednesday, but got rained out. Sale is 13-3 on the season with a 2.70 earned run average. He has 140 strikeouts in 110 innings. The Braves rank first in all of baseball in runs allowed with 3.7 per game.
The Braves have dropped four straight games, and during those four games, are scoring just three runs per game. Atlanta is 17th in Major League Baseball with 4.2 runs per game. The team batting average for the Braves is .240, and Atlanta has hit 115 homeruns on the season.
Ronald Acuna is out for the season. Michael Harris is out. And Ozzie Albies went out. The Braves are looking for more help to contribute to their lineup. The top hitter for Atlanta has been Marcell Ozuna, with a .311 average, 28 homeruns and 20 doubles on the season. Matt Olson is second with 13 homeruns and 21 doubles.
Veteran goes for Mets
For the New York Mets, Luis Severino will get the nod. Severino is 7-3 on the season, with a 3.58 earned run average. The veteran has tossed 115.2 innings, striking out 88, with 40 walks on the season.
In the win on Wednesday, Tyrone Taylor hit a homerun in the third inning. Later in the game, Pete Alonso hit his 20th, and then Francisco Lindor also hit his 20th and then his 21st in the 8th inning. Taylor later drove in another two runs in the win. Matt Vientos also hit his 13th homerun in the game. The Mets have been one of the best offensive teams in the league as of late. New York is scoring 4.8 runs per game.
The Mets have this four game series against the Braves, and then will welcome the Minnesota Twins to town for three games. New York will then head out on the road to the Angels, one game at the Cardinals, and a trip to Colorado.
Braves Top Mets
We like the Atlanta Braves to win this game, and win it with ease. Sale is well rested and ready to be the ace and the stopper that Atlanta needs in this game. The Braves are going to score some runs and Sale will sail from there. Look for Atlanta to win by multiple runs in this game. Take Atlanta -1.5 (+134) over the New York Mets in this game on Thursday. Enjoy the game and best of luck!
