The Mets will start lefty David Peterson (1-3, 4.86) against Atlanta right-hander Charlie Morton (2-2, 5.08). The Braves are -152, and the Mets are +130 with a total of 8.5.
Mets overcoming injuries
The Mets are hurting with outfielders Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, and Albert Almora on the injured list and Kevin Pillar recovering from being hit by a pitch in the face on Monday. Infielders Jeff McNeil, Luis Guillorme, and J.D. Davis are also out injured, as is ace Jacob deGrom. Despite the injuries, the Mets have won nine of 12.
Tuesday night, they got home runs from Jonathan Villar and Tomas Nido, the latter a game-winner in the ninth. Francisco Lindor had a double and a single but is still batting just .195 on the season. Pete Alonso leads the Mets with six homers, seven doubles, and 18 RBI,
Peterson had a great start his last time out against Tampa Bay on Friday. In that outing, he allowed two runs on four hits over a season-best 7 ½ innings. He struck out nine and walked two but took a no-decision.
The start was a nice bounce-back for the lefty, who lasted just 1⅔ innings against Arizona on May 7. He has had success against the Braves big bats with Freddie Freeman (0-6), Marcell Ozuna (0-5), Ronald Acuna Jr. (0-3), and Dansby Swanson (1-5) all struggling against Peterson.
Braves Can’t Get Going
Every time it looks like the Braves have turned the corner in 2021, they slide back under .500. Since winning two straight against the Phillies May 8-9, they have lost six of eight while scoring four runs or less in five of those losses. They rank 13th in the NL with a .226 team batting average while also ranking 10th in OBP.
The good news for the Braves is they lead the NL with 60 home runs. Acuna has 12 homers to go with 24 RBI and a .291 average, while Freeman has driven in 27 on 11 homers. Austin Riley is batting .292, but six Braves regulars are batting under .240.
Morton has struggled in his last two starts, with nine runs allowed on 11 hits and four walks over a combined 5 ⅓ innings. The first-year Braves hurler hasn’t completed six innings in a start since April 20, and he has allowed a home run in five of his last six starts.
The only two batters in the Mets lineup to face the former American Leaguer in more than two at-bats are Villar (2-8) and Lindor (2-13). Dominic Smith has a home run off Morton in two at-bats.
Betting Analysis
The Mets are getting it done even if the numbers don’t look great. They have had the Braves number this season and are in position to knock Morton out of the game early. The former Rays and Astros hurler has struggled with his fastball control this season, and the Braves need him to turn it around sooner rather than later.
FREE PICK: under 8.5 (-115)