After splitting the first two games, the Atlanta Braves (1-1) take on the New York Mets (1-1) in the rubber match of their season-opening series Sunday at 7:08 p.m. ET at Citi Field. We analyze the Braves-Mets betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Braves at Mets: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Sean Newcomb vs. RHP Rick Porcello
Newcomb (2019): 6-3, 3.16 ERA, 65 K, 29 BB in 68 1/3 innings.
- Newcomb is back in the starting rotation for the Braves after making 51 relief appearances in 2019. He started 49 games in 2017-2018.
- No one in the projected Mets lineup has ever homered off of Newcomb.
Porcello (2019): 14-12, 5.52 ERA, 143 K, 45 BB
- Porcello makes his Mets and National League debut, having spent his entire 11-year career in the American League, pitching the last five seasons for the Boston Red Sox.
- Only one Braves hitter, 2B Adeiny Hechavarria, has more than 10 at-bats against Porcello and he bats .190 against him with one home run and one RBI.
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Braves at Mets: Key injuries
Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.
Braves
- RP Mark Melancon (back) questionable
- C Travis d’Arnaud (COVID-19) out
- C Tyler Flowers (COVID) out
Mets
- SP Noah Syndergaard (elbow) out
- 2B Jed Lowrie (knee) out
Braves at Mets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Mets 5, Braves 3
Moneyline (ML)
After a split of the first two games, the Mets are slight home favorites at -112. The Mets went 48-33 at home last season and have the more experienced starter on the mound. Take the METS to win at -112.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Mets will win you $8.93 in profit.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Despite being the underdog on the money line, the Braves are favored against the run line at -1.5 (+145). They have covered both games of the series so far but were very even against the spread a year ago at 85-82, including the postseason.
This is an interesting case where the Mets are the money line favorite but the run line underdog. Clearly, if you think the Mets will win this one outright, you have to take the METS +1.5 (-176), but the moneyline is a much more profitable play.
Over/Under (O/U)
The total is set at 10 runs for Sunday’s contest. Both games of the series have gone Under. We expect the same Sunday. Take the UNDER 10 (-110).
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