In the last of a four-game series between the Atlanta Braves (56-87) and the New York Mets (81-61) at Turner Field, Ryan Weber (0-1, 3.00 ERA) and Jonathon Niese (8-10, 4.36 ERA) take the mound. The Mets won the last game 6-4, extending a six-game winning streak. New York can finish out the series sweep with a win in this game. The game starts at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 13 and will air on FSSO and SNY.
In his most recent outing, Weber pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out two and walking one in a 5-0 loss to the Phillies. Juan Uribe (.255, 37 Rs, 13 HRs, 41 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run and three RBIs. The Mets were unsuccessful the last time Niese pitched. He did not do well, pitching 3.1 innings, allowing five runs, striking out one and walking three in an 8-5 loss to the Nationals. Yoenis Cespedes (.298, 97 Rs, 34 HRs, 102 RBIs, 7 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Atlanta, a +150 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against New York. The teams combine to set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. The Braves have a losing record of 41-72 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -2,094. They are 1-8 as the underdog over their last 10 games. The Braves are a dangerous hitting team with an MLB-best 332 extra base hits. Atlanta’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 6.3 during that span, compared to its 4.8 season average.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Mets come into this game with a solid win percentage of .721 when playing as the favorite (62-24) and an overall money line of +1,438. Against divisional rivals, they are 42-20 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 35-12 record. The Mets rank fifth in the NL in road scoring, averaging four runs per game. The Mets are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.42 ERA this season. They have a WHIP of 1.17 on the year, good for tops in the league.
The Mets have gotten the better of the Braves in head-to-head matchups this season, going 9-6. The Braves will take on a left-hander (Niese) in this game. They have struggled against left-handed starting pitchers this season, going 9-18. Taking the hill against the Mets will be the right-hander Weber. They sport a 63-48 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, New York is 32-22, while Atlanta is 24-44.
The Mets are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Braves have a 21-46 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 10-63. The Mets have a 16-50 record when opponents outhit them.
Atlanta ranks at the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 88 this season. New York ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 154.
Atlanta and New York both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Atlanta sits at 11th with 8.48 hits per game and New York ranks 12th with 8.43.
Ranking 30th, Atlanta is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.675). New York ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .715.
When the Mets allow at least one home run, they are 39-44. When the Braves allow one or more homers, they have a 22-64 record.
