The Atlanta Braves (18-9) and New York Mets (15-12) tussle Saturday in game 2 of a 4-game series in Queens. First pitch from Citi Field is slated for 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Mets odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Braves lead 1-0
Atlanta took Friday’s opener 4-0 in a rain-shortened 5-inning contest. The Braves are 4-1 over their last 5 games and 11-2 this season away from home.
The Mets have lost 5 of their last 6 contests. New York pitching — usually solid — has compiled a 6.00 ERA over that span.
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Braves at Mets projected starters
RHP Spencer Strider vs. RHP Tylor Megill
Strider (3-0, 1.80 ERA) makes his 6th start of the 2023 campaign. He owns a 0.83 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 14.7 K/9 through 30 IP.
- Posted a 4.38 ERA across 3 starts against the Mets last season
- Has not allowed a run over his last 2 starts (14 IP)
Megill (3-1, 3.96 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has registered a 1.48 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 through 25 IP.
- Has clocked a 3.24 ERA over his last 5 starts against Atlanta (2021-22)
- Struggled on the Mets’ April 14-23 west coast road trip, allowing 7 runs on 13 hits and 5 walks over 9 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants
Braves at Mets odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:48 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Braves -162 (bet $162 to win $100) | Mets +136 (bet $100 to win $136)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+108) | Mets +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Braves at Mets picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 5, Mets 3
Moneyline
Give the Braves a big advantage on the mound in this one, more so than what shows in surface ERAs. Strider has been ultra-consistent so far and has the more supportable numbers. Megill has been buoyed by a .274 batting average on balls in play and a lofty strand rate.
Give Atlanta an edge in the bullpen as well. Both back ends are well-rested after Saturday’s Little League hours, but like Megill, the New York ‘pen has been aided by generous rates around the margins.
Consider split action on a favorably priced Braves team: perhaps half on the moneyline and half on the run line. BACK ATLANTA (-162), but move fast on this one before it takes on any more juice.
Run line/Against the spread
The Braces have won 7 of their last 8 against the Metropolitans. Six of those wins were by multi-run margins — 4 coming by 3 or more runs.
New York has a lackluster .690 OPS at home.
TAKE THE BRAVES -1.5 (+108).
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Over/Under
Multiple actual-vs.-expected-production factors fall on each side of this equation. AVOID.
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