The New York Mets will host the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Braves-Mets prediction and pick.

Atlanta has been one of the more disappointing clubs in the league this season. The Braves are just 33-36 through the first two and a half months of the season. They have really struggled on the road and are 1-4 in their last five road games to date.

New York has been one of the best stories in all of baseball this season with a 36-29 record. The Mets are currently leading the NL East behind the best pitching staff in all of baseball.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Braves-Mets odds.

MLB Odds: Braves-Mets Odds

Atlanta Braves (+175)

New York Mets (-190)

Over 4.5 Runs (-117)

Under 4.5 Runs (+103)

Why The Braves Could Cover The Spread

Atlanta enters this series following a much-needed four-game series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals this past weekend. Atlanta's offense has been on a tear lately and currently averages 4.81 runs per game this season, which is good for 10th in the majors. Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has been nothing short of incredible for the Braves with a .293 batting average and 18 home runs. The Braves' potent lineup has struggled on the road, though, scoring more than a half-run less than they do overall. The pitching staff has really let this club down, ranking near the bottom in most defensive categories.

The Braves will turn to right-hander Ian Anderson for the first game of this double-header. Anderson has put together a solid season for Atlanta with a 4-3 record and 3.58 ERA through his first 13 starts of the season. The young right-hander has been struggling lately, though, with 12 earned runs allowed over his last 19 1/3 innings of work. Anderson has faced the Mets once this season in a game that saw him allow four earned runs over four innings on May 29.

Why The Mets Could Cover The Spread

The Mets are quickly rising to contender status in the National League as they continue to win games on a regular basis. New York is now 36-29 and in first place in the NL East thanks in large part to a 20-7 record at Citi Field. The Mets have won 14 of their last 17 games at their home ballpark. New York's formula for success is uncommon in today's league, with the Mets ranking 29th in baseball in runs scored per game at 3.72. It's the most dominant starting rotation in the majors that has catapulted this team to huge success. The Mets allow just 2.11 runs per game at home, which is the best mark in baseball by a mile.

New York will turn to right-hander Jacob deGrom for the first game of this doubleheader. This start will be a promising sight for Mets fans as deGrom has been dealing with right-shoulder soreness lately. The MRI came back negative and the Mets ace went through his between-starts routine with no issues, which is a great sign for the Cy Young favorite. He is currently 6-2 with a 0.54 ERA and 111 strikeouts through his first 11 starts of the season.

Final Braves-Mets Prediction & Pick

I will be riding with the Mets in pretty much every game that they play at Citi Field. Add the fact that they have Jacob deGrom on the bump and our confidence goes through the roof. New York gets to go up against a struggling Braves club with a struggling arm in Ian Anderson. We know that the Mets will not tear the cover off the ball, but they don't ever really need to when their ace is on the bump. I expect them to put up a few runs and win a low-scoring game in this seven-inning affair.

FINAL PICK: New York Mets (-190)