The Atlanta Braves (35-24), one of the most productive lineups in baseball, are set to host the New York Mets (30-30) at Truist Park on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series.
The Mets are playing their first of six games on the road after wrapping up a six-game homestand (3-3). They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays, dropping the finale 6-4 on Sunday at Citi Field. Tommy Pham was 2 for 4 with two solo home runs. Starling Marte added a solo home run and a double.
The Braves are playing the first of six games at home after returning from a six-game road trip (3-3). They won two of three against the Diamondbacks in their last series, taking the finale 8-5 on Sunday at Chase Field. Ozzie Albies went 4 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. Austin Riley added a double and one run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Braves have won two of three in the season series between the NL East rivals, although they dropped a close one 5-3 in their last meeting on May 1 at Citi Field. Drew Smith got the win with 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and David Robertson threw two scoreless innings to pick up his sixth save.
ON THE MOUND
Carlos Carrasco (2-2, 5.74 ERA) is set to take the mound for New York. The RHP allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 4-1 road win over the Phillies on Wednesday.
He earned the win, yielding six hits while striking out four and walking one. Carrasco is making his first appearance against the Braves this season.
Over three starts against the Braves in 2022, Carrasco was 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA over 16 innings. He had 12 strikeouts and four walks. RHP Bryce Elder (3-0, 1.92 ERA) gets the start for Atlanta. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Mets.
Elder made one appearance against the Mets in 2022, throwing 2.1 innings in an 8-5 road defeat on August 6. He gave up five hits while striking out two. In his last start on May 30, Elder took a no-decision on the road against the Athletics.
He threw 7.1 innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out five and walking three in the 2-1 defeat. The right-hander leads MLB in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .241/.319/.394. Pete Alonso leads the team in OPS at .862. The first baseman is slashing .231/.324/.538 with 21 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 40 runs over 60 games.
Over the last five games, however, New York has averaged only 2.6 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.170/.226/.314). Against righties like Elder this season, the Mets have a .708 OPS. Alonso also is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .851 OPS in 157 at-bats.
Atlanta is slashing .259/.330/.461 for the season and averaging 5.0 runs per game, fifth best in MLB. Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the team with a .970 OPS. The right fielder has 12 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 52 runs scored with a slash line of .331/.407/.564.
Atlanta is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.256/.321/.429). The Braves have a .745 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .990 OPS over 153 at-bats, Matt Olson has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 15-18 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Atlanta has gone 15-14 at Truist Park this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. In the last 10 meetings at Truist Park, Atlanta is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.0-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by three games over the Marlins. The Mets are third in the NL East, five games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-165)
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