The Braves and Mets play the third game of their four-game series on Sunday, July 5.
Atlanta is a -122 moneyline favorite, while New York is +102 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at over/under nine runs.
Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Braves vs. Mets game.
Braves vs. Mets prediction, preview
There are two ways to view this game and series, and it depends on which team you root for. The Braves are leading the NL East and get a four-game series against the last-place Mets on a holiday weekend. What a celebration it is in Atlanta! It’s all misery for New York, however, as the team continues its losing ways.
The one positive is that Nolan McLean is starting on Sunday. Although he’s not as dominant as he was early in the season, he’s bounced back in two of his last three outings. He pitched seven innings, allowing zero unearned runs against the Reds on June 17, and pitched six scoreless frames against the Blue Jays on June 30. His June 24 start was messy: six earned runs and seven hits across six innings against the Cubs. Despite the inconsistency, he’s pitched at least six innings in three consecutive appearances. That should be worth something.
The 24-year-old McLean will face off against veteran left-hander Martin Perez on Sunday. The 35-year-old has a 3.27 ERA through 77 innings and 17 appearances (13 starts) in his first year with the Braves. He’s had some solid performances this year, but his last two outings have been underwhelming: four earned and five hits in 5.0 innings vs. St. Louis, and three earned and four hits in 4.0 innings vs. San Diego. He allowed a combined three home runs and seven walks between these games, making for a shaky stretch.
The good news is that he’s facing the Mets. New York has been miserable all season, ranking 25th in walks and stolen bases, 27th in batting average and hits, 28th in runs, RBI and total bases, and last in OPS. If the Mets play anything like their season rankings, Perez could roll into a vintage performance.
Braves vs. Mets Pick, Best Bet
This isn’t too exciting. Braves vs. Mets in Atlanta? Even prime Jacob deGrom couldn’t save New York here—he rarely did during his best years. The Mets’ offense will have an easier time facing Perez than Chris Sale, but it would be foolish to bet against Atlanta at home.
