Atlanta Braves vs Ny Mets Picks and Predictions September 25th 2024

Braves’ Chris Sale aims to continue hot streak in clash vs. Mets

Chris Sale and the Braves will look to extend their three-game winning streak when they host the Mets on Wednesday. However, the forecast doesn’t look great in Atlanta, as there figures to be moderate rain. First pitch from Truist Park is set for 7:20 PM ET.

The over/under line is currently at 7.5 runs, and the Braves are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -188. The Mets are +158 on the money line, and they will be looking to cool off Sale and the Braves. New York will start David Peterson, and they are 2nd in the NL East, while the Braves are 3rd.

New York vs. Atlanta Key Information

• Teams: Mets at Braves
• Where: Truist Park Atlanta
• Date: Wednesday, September 25th
• Betting Odds ATL -188 | NYM +158 O/U 7.5

The Mets Can Win If…

New York is sending left-hander David Peterson to the mound today vs. the Braves. He has made 20 starts this season and has a record of 9-3 with a 3.08 ERA. Peterson’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.33. In his last outing, he took the loss, going 3 2/3 innings vs. the Phillies and giving up four earned runs. Before that, he had pitched well, giving up a total of one earned run in two straight outings. Opponents are batting .244 vs. Peterson this season. Out of his 20 starts, he has 11 quality starts.

Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso have been a great 1-2 punch for the Mets this season, as Alonso leads the team with 88 RBIs and is 2nd on the team with 34 homers. Lindor is batting .271 for the season and has gone deep 31 times. Over his last nine games, Luisangel Acuña is hitting .357 with three homers, while Jose Iglesias has gone 16/38 over his last nine games.

As a team, the Mets are 7th in scoring at 4.8 runs per game and are also among the league leaders in home runs. Overall, they are batting .247, which is the 9th best mark in the league. New York has been good at drawing walks this season and have the 5th best on-base percentage in the league.

• The Mets are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Mets are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• New York has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Mets have an average of 4.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Mets are 6-4
• Looking back across the Mets last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• New York has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Mets have averaged 4.0 runs per game on offense

The Braves Can Win If…

Chris Sale gets the start for the Braves today and comes in with a record of 18-3. He has made 29 starts this year and has a league-leading 18 wins. Sale’s ERA is 2.38, and he has a WHIP of 1.01. So far, he has turned in 18 quality starts and is averaging 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Overall, Sale has 225 strikeouts, which is second in the league. In his last outing, Sale gave up two earned runs in five innings of work, coming away with the win. Before that, he had won three straight starts.

For the season, the Braves are averaging 4.4 runs per game, which is 16th in the league. They have been a better offensive team on the road this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game. Atlanta is 4th in the league in home runs and have the league’s top home run hitter in Marcell Ozuna, who also leads the team with 102 RBIs. Ozuna is batting .310 for the season and has gone deep 39 times.

Over his last 10 games, Michael Harris II has been on fire, going 19/45 with five homers and 10 RBIs. He is also on an eight-game hitting streak. As a team, the Braves have seven players who are currently on a hitting streak, including Marcell Ozuna, who has gone deep in seven straight games.

• The Braves are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Braves are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Atlanta has an over/under record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
• The Braves have an average of 6.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Braves are 5-5
• Looking back across the Braves last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Atlanta has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Braves have averaged 5.6 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Today’s Mets and Braves matchup should feature plenty of offense, as this game is projected to finish with the 10th most runs in today’s slate and the 2nd lowest hits total. For an over/under pick, we are leaning towards the over. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Mets to pick up the win. Looking at the starters for this matchup, Chris Sale has the highest strikeout projections in the league today, but we still have our lean on the Mets to pick up the win.

MLB EXPERT PICKS, PREDICTION & BETTING TIPS

The Atlanta Braves are set to continue their playoff push as they face the New York Mets on Wednesday night, with ace Chris Sale taking the mound. The Braves, currently at 86-71, trail the Mets (87-70) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (87-71) in the heated race for the final National League wild-card spot. As both teams battle for postseason survival, the stakes could not be higher.

Braves Eye Seventh Consecutive Playoff Appearance

The Braves have been a dominant force in the National League in recent years, making the playoffs for six consecutive seasons. However, they now find themselves in a tight battle for the final wild-card spot, and each game is critical as they aim for a seventh straight postseason appearance. Atlanta won the opener of their three-game series against the Mets on Tuesday, securing a 5-1 victory and cutting New York’s lead to just one game. With only a few games left in the regular season, Wednesday’s matchup could be pivotal.

Manager Brian Snitker kept it simple: “We need to go 1-0 (on Wednesday). Big hits, plays, and a great start, clearly.”

Chris Sale’s Spectacular Season: A Cy Young Contender

Chris Sale, the Braves’ top Cy Young contender, has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. The 34-year-old left-hander boasts an 18-3 record with a sparkling 2.38 ERA, leading the National League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts (225 across 177 2/3 innings). These stats put him in prime position to potentially achieve the rare pitching Triple Crown.

Sale’s dominance doesn’t stop there—he’s second in WHIP (1.01) and ranks fourth in opponents’ batting average (.216). He enters Wednesday’s game riding an eight-game winning streak, making him the Braves’ most reliable arm in these must-win games. His performance could be the key to Atlanta’s postseason hopes.

In his most recent start, Sale led the Braves to a win against the Cincinnati Reds, throwing five solid innings and allowing just two runs on five hits, along with six strikeouts. His ability to consistently deliver in high-pressure situations has solidified his standing as one of the league’s top pitchers this season.

Previous Encounters With the Mets

Sale faced the Mets earlier this season on July 25, where he pitched an impressive 7 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and striking out nine, though he did not factor into the decision. Despite his strong performance, the Braves lost the game 3-2. Historically, Sale has been effective against New York, holding a career 1-0 record with a 2.70 ERA in four starts.

With Sale on the mound, the Braves will look to capitalize on his momentum and continue their fight for the playoffs.

Mets Turn to David Peterson Despite Recent Struggles

Opposing Sale will be the Mets’ left-hander David Peterson, who has had an inconsistent season despite his solid 9-3 record and 3.08 ERA. Peterson was roughed up in his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies, giving up five runs (four earned) in just 3 2/3 innings. However, in his prior outing on September 15, he was much sharper, allowing only one run over 7 1/3 innings against the same Phillies team.

Peterson has had his struggles against the Braves this season, particularly in their last meeting on July 28, when he allowed four runs over five innings and took his first loss of the season. Across 11 career appearances (10 starts) against Atlanta, Peterson has a 3-5 record with a 5.33 ERA.

The Mets’ decision to start Peterson over veteran Jose Quintana—who is 4-0 with a staggering 0.28 ERA over his last five starts—raises eyebrows. Manager Carlos Mendoza explained the choice, saying, “We were looking at a lot of different things—matchups, what was best for the team this series. We felt like Quintana’s been throwing the ball really well, but you could make a case for Peterson, too.”

Braves’ Offense Clicking, Despite Riley’s Absence

Atlanta’s offense will be key in Wednesday’s matchup, led by breakout center fielder Michael Harris II. Harris has been red-hot, extending his hitting streak to eight games after going 3-for-4 on Tuesday with a double and a home run. Over this streak, he’s batting an impressive .486 (18-for-37). The Braves will lean heavily on Harris and the rest of their lineup as they try to overcome the absence of injured third baseman Austin Riley, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a fractured right hand.

While the Braves will miss Riley’s bat, they could receive a boost from right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, who is recovering from shoulder inflammation and could be activated as soon as this weekend.

Mets Look to Spark Offense, Await Lindor’s Return

The Mets, meanwhile, are hoping for the return of star shortstop Francisco Lindor, who has been sidelined with a sore back. While he was not in the lineup on Tuesday, Lindor was available to pinch-hit late in the game, and his return could be crucial for the Mets’ offense as they look to secure their playoff position. If Lindor is ready to go on Wednesday, his presence could help spark a lineup that will need to find a way to get past Sale.

What’s at Stake: High-Pressure Playoff Push

With the wild-card race tightening, every pitch and every at-bat in this series will have significant implications. The Braves are in win-now mode, and a victory on Wednesday would not only pull them even with the Mets in the standings but could also give them the momentum they need to close out the regular season on a high note.

For the Mets, the decision to start Peterson adds a layer of intrigue, as they will need him to step up against one of the league’s top pitchers. New York’s offense, potentially boosted by Lindor’s return, will have to capitalize on any opportunities it gets against Sale, who has shown few signs of weakness this season.

The Braves’ fight for a postseason berth continues with their ace on the mound, while the Mets look to hold on to their slim lead. With two left-handers squaring off, it’s shaping up to be an intense battle that could define both teams’ seasons.