The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves will square off in the first game of a doubleheader at Citi Field on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Braves-Mets prediction and pick.
New York is currently leading the National League East with a 52-44 record. Atlanta is five games back at 48-50 and has a nice opportunity to make up significant ground on Monday night. Both teams have been playing inconsistent baseball lately, so each will look to build off this crucial doubleheader.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Braves-Mets odds.
MLB Odds: Braves-Mets Odds
*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Atlanta Braves +1.5 (-159)
New York Mets -1.5 (+139)
Over 6.5 Runs (-107)
Under 6.5 Runs (-113)
Why The Braves Could Cover The Spread
Atlanta is currently 48-50 despite a +0.39 average run differential. The Braves have enjoyed some exciting highs and even lower lows through the first three months of the season. They are playing without Ronald Acuna Jr. for the rest of the season and Marcell Ozuna has been out for some time now as well.
Atlanta has still shown some promising signs at the plate with 24 runs scored during a recent four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. That series is a perfect depiction of what this team has become, as they scored 15 and seven runs in two games and just one run each in the other two. Of course, they split that series. The Braves are 22-25 and score just 4.28 runs per game on the road this season.
Atlanta will send out left-hander Kyle Muller for the first game of the doubleheader. Muller has been impressive with a 1-3 record and 3.20 ERA through five appearances and four starts. The 23-year-old southpaw has been consistently effective for his club, allowing three earned runs or fewer in each of his last three starts. The Braves starter will look to build on his early success against a division rival that has struggled from the plate all year long.
Why The Mets Could Cover The Spread
The Mets entered this season with a ton of hype. Although they may not have lived up to it entirely, they are currently in first place in the NL East. New York has found so much success behind its pitching staff and its play at home. The Mets are 30-15 thanks to their league-leading 2.59 runs allowed per game at Citi Field.
New York continues to play well with wins in five of its last seven contests coming in. It's incredible to think about how well they are playing despite scoring just 3.55 runs per game at home, which is the worst mark in baseball. Their success is entirely credited to their elite pitching and defense. The Mets will likely acquire another bat at the deadline, but for now, don't expect much offense.
New York will hand the ball to right-hander Marcus Stroman for the first game of the doubleheader. Stroman has been lights out with a 7-8 record and 2.59 ERA through 20 starts. Stroman's strikeout numbers are a bit lower than normal, but the veteran right-hander has been keeping the ball in the ballpark. He has been very effective lately and is coming off his best start of the season against the Cincinnati Reds.
Final Braves-Mets Prediction & Pick
I'm predicting that the Mets will come out swinging against the 23-year-old rookie in just his sixth career start. New York is at home, which has been a huge advantage for them this season. With Marcus Stroman on the bump, you can almost certainly expect this depleted Braves lineup to be neutralized. If this game were in Atlanta, it would likely be going to the Braves. But for the opener on Monday night, pick the Mets to cover this spread.
FINAL PICK: New York Mets -1.5 (+139)
Follow Us
Subscribe