Jon Niese (1-0, 1.59 ERA) and Trevor Cahill (0-1, 15.43 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the New York Mets (10-3) and the Atlanta Braves (8-4) at Citi Field. The Mets come into this series riding an eight-game winning streak. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 21 and can be seen on SPSO and SNY.
Niese is 7-6 with a 3.36 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 99 strikeouts against the Braves. Travis d’Arnaud (.317, 5 Rs, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs) kept up his hot start Sunday, going 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI. Against the Mets, Cahill is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and two strikeouts. Nick Markakis (.375, 8 Rs, 5 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate to the start the season for the Braves, going 2 for 4 Sunday with one run.
New York is a -149 favorite against Atlanta and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Mets have recorded an overall money line of +748 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 7-1. New York is an impressive 7-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. New York is one of the best in the NL in terms of walks, earning an average of 3.4 per game.
As for their opponent, Atlanta is coming in with an overall money line of +575 and an impressive record of 6-3 as the dog. They have been playing solid baseball as the underdog with a 4-2 record against NL East rivals, and a 6-3 record SU. Offensively, the Braves have really sputtered in division games. They have decreased their season average of 4.5 runs per game by averaging 4.0 in those contests. The Braves are tough outs for opponents, ranking third in the NL with 9.2 hits per road game. The Braves average 3.7 runs allowed per game, but does better whenever another team from the NL East is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average down to 3.2 against division foes.
The Braves lead the season series, 2-1. The Mets have a perfect 7-0 record at home (9-2 overall) against right-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Cahill takes the mound.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM, O/U – Over
Notes
Atlanta has won 50% (3-3) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, New York has won 86% (6-1) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Mets are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Braves have a 2-1 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 1-4. The Mets have a 3-3 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 23rd in home runs, New York has hit nine this season. Atlanta ranks ninth with 13 home runs.
New York and Atlanta both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. New York sits at seventh with 8.08 hits per game and Atlanta ranks sixth with 8.17.
Ranking 15th, New York is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.691). Atlanta ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .719.
When the Braves allow at least one home run, they are 2-3. When the Mets allow one or more homers, they have a 6-3 record.
