Two of MLB’s most productive lineups are set to square off at Truist Park on Friday as the Atlanta Braves (97-59) host the New York Mets (98-58) to open a three-game series. The Mets split their last series against the Marlins, taking the finale 5-4 on Wednesday at Citi Field. Eduardo Escobar was 3 for 5 with a home run and five RBIs. Jeff McNeil added one run on two hits. The Braves are back home after a seven-game road trip (4-3). They won two of three against the Nationals in their last series, dropping the finale 3-2 on Wednesday at Nationals Park. Matt Olson went 2 for 3 with a solo home run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Mets have won nine of 16 in the season series between the NL East rivals, although they dropped a close one 3-2 in their last meeting on August 18 at Truist Park. Max Fried got the win, giving up two runs on four hits over seven innings, and Kenley Jansen earned his 28th save with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Jacob deGrom (5-3, 2.93 ERA) is in line for the start for New York. The right-hander allowed five runs over four innings in his last start, a 10-4 road defeat against the Athletics on Saturday. He was charged with the loss, giving up six hits while striking out five and walking four. Over two previous starts against the Braves this season, deGrom has allowed five earned runs over 12.1 innings (1-1, 3.65). He has struck out 21 and walked one. For Atlanta, southpaw Fried (13-7, 2.50 ERA) gets the ball. He has made four appearances against the Mets this season, all as the starter, giving up 10 runs (8 ER) over 24 innings (2-2, 3.00) with 22 strikeouts and six walks. In his last start on September 22, Fried took the loss on the road against the Phillies. He threw five innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 1-0 defeat. The LHP ranks fourth in the NL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.8 runs per game for the season, fourth best in the league, with a slash line of .258/.332/.410. Pete Alonso leads the team in OPS at .867. The first baseman is slashing .268/.347/.521 with 40 home runs, 131 RBIs, and 92 runs over 155 games. Over the last five games, however, New York has averaged 7.0 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.297/.350/.454). Against left-handed pitchers like Fried this season, the Mets have a .721 OPS. Starling Marte is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .877 OPS in 139 at-bats. Atlanta is slashing .253/.317/.442 for the season and averaging 4.9 runs per game, third best in the league. Austin Riley leads the team with a .881 OPS. The third baseman has 37 home runs, 92 RBIs, and 87 runs scored with a slash line of .275/.350/.531. Atlanta is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five with a stronger slugging percentage (.468). The Braves have a .751 OPS against righties in 2022, third highest in the league. With a .803 OPS over 457 at-bats, Riley also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 47-31 in road games in 2022, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Atlanta has gone 52-26 at Truist Park this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.5. In the last 10 games at Truist Park between the teams, Atlanta is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.0-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mets lead the NL East by one games over the Braves. Their magic number to clinch the division is six. The Braves currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first with a magic number of zero.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
