The New York Mets will look to build upon their recent ownership of the Atlanta Braves in front of a nationally televised audience on Saturday night when the division rivals lock horns for the eighth time this season.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
After managing just 67 overall wins a short season ago, the Braves are on pace to finish way below that output in 2016 having won just 18 of their 64 overall played games to date. In doing so, the franchise is the worst bet in the National League and second worst overall bet behind only the Minnesota Twins. Down over $2K for the season, Atlanta has actually been better – if you can call it that – on the road where they’re 11-19 and only down $154 overall.
While the Mets sit five games over .500 overall, it’s been a disappointing campaign for their betting backers evidenced by a -$398 return on investment. When you boast a starting pitching staff like the Mets do, oddsmakers have to line it accordingly. Lose a couple games as 2-1 chalk, and this is what happens. NY has only won 15 of its 28 played games in front of the hometown faithful, and with that, they carry a -$438 tally for the season.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Not even pushing Aaron Blair’s start back a day changed what has been a downward spiral of late for the young hurler. He opened Monday’s series at home against Cincinnati by tossing five innings of 6 ER ball and walking four. Only his offense allowed for him not to take yet another loss. The righty is winless on the year and sports an overall 7.59 ERA and .308 batting average against. Major league hitters are seeing his stuff extremely well right now evidenced by the fact that he’s failed to pitch through the sixth in each of his last seven starts. He gave up 3 ER through 5.1 innings against the Mets at home in his 2016 debut back in late April.
The month of June has been truly unkind to left-hander Steven Matz who has failed to churn out a quality start while taking a pair of defeats. Since having an injury scare and returning to dominate Washington, the lefty has gone 0-2 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.68 WHIP over his last three starts. He’ll make his sixth home start off getting bludgeoned by both Pittsburgh and Milwaukee who got to him for 17 hits and 6 ER. Still, he put forth a 13:2 K/BB ratio in those contests, and now gets to face an Atlanta offense that’s plated the fewest runs in all of baseball.
LIVE BETTING
The Mets are going to be gargantuan favorites in this one with Blair a train wreck and Matz looking to rebound back at home where he’s 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA and .231 BAA. He’s also a perfect 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 18:2 K/BB ratio against Atlanta through three career starts.
To help ease the blow should the Mets shockingly fall in this one, you might want to take a look at backing NY on the run-line. Atlanta stands 26-38 against it overall for a -$1879 return on investment. NY sits nine games under .500 versus the run-line (-$867), but eight of the Braves last 10 defeats have come by two runs or more making it worth taking a shot in if interested in betting this game.
QUICK PICK
It’s time for Matz to get healthy. He’s owned this Braves lineup every time he’s faced it. Of the nine players he’s faced on Atlanta’s active roster, a grand total of 10 hits have been attained with only one going for extra bases – a double.
Though New York has its fair share of big boppers sidelined right now, it still has enough to get to Blair who is on the verge of being sent back down even though the Braves are badly in need of starting pitching help. Look for Matz to dominate and for the Mets to turn this into a one-sided affair right from the get go.
MLB Odds: Mets 9, Braves 1
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets is scheduled for Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 8:15 p.m. ET at Citi Field. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX.
