As you all know, the New York Mets 15-2 stretch has gotten them seriously back in the NL Wild Card race, including a series victory over the Washington Nationals who currently own the first NL Wild Card.
But the Mets player aren’t going for that, they want to “Slay the Giants” and win the NL East to vault themselves into World Series contention. If you’re really that serious and really that good Mets, then this is basically your make or break series.
The Braves enter today, the beginning of this 3 game series at Sun Trust Park with an 8 game lead over the Mets with 9 games remaining against them this season.
The goal for the Mets is to at least take 2 of 3 this series and they will be back in the Division race. Lose the series and they are 9 games back with only 6 meetings remaining and would have to really raise their game when they aren’t playing the Braves to win the division.
That is easier said then done, especially with a tough schedule against the NL‘s top teams like the Dodgers and Cubs, as well as top teams in the AL like the A’s and Indians.
Can this Mets team handle it? Absolutely. Can they make the playoffs? Yes they can! Can they win the Division even if they lose this series ? Yes! Anything is possible with these guys!
But it starts with one game at a time and one series at a time.
So what do the Mets have to do to make this magical run mean something in the end? Let’s get into it.
IT STARTS TONIGHT:
I want to dive into to tonight’s game and this series because it really all starts with this one. This will decide where the Mets are headed in terms or actually winning the NL East.
GAME 1: WHEELER VS FREID
Max is only 23 and his having a nice young season for Atlanta. He is 13-4 this season with a 3.32ERA and is 4-0 in his last 4 starts. The Mets have seen him once before this year at Citi Field and he was great going 6 innings of 2 run ball in a victory. On the bright side, the Mets do have some guys that own Freid as JD Davis and Jeff McNeil are a combined 7 for 12 (583 BA) against Max this year.
As for Zack Wheeler, he has been perfect for the Mets since the trade deadline tossing 15 consecutive scoreless innings and has won his last 3 starts as well.
However, a lot of the Braves have had success against Wheeler in the past. Guys like Brain Mccan, Josh Donaldson and Freddie Freeman are going to try and make an impact tonight against Wheeler so be ready for that.
Something to note is that the Mets are 4-6 against the Braves so far this season. They are 3-4 at SunTrust Park.
Right now, the Atlanta bullpen is scuffling, posting a 6.55 ERA in the month of August.
That’s going to be the key for the Mets, much like it was against Washington.
Get into that bullpen and it starts tonight by working Max.
Another key is Edwin Diaz. When he gems in, how will he fair against a tough Braves offense led by Young Superstar Ronald Acuna JR.
PREDICTION: Mets 4 Braves 6
I think if the Mets lose a game this series, it’s this one, Freid goes 6 innings of 2 run ball again, while the Braves get to Zach enough, that are able to maintain that lead when the bullpens come in.
Shane Green gets the save as the Braves take game 1 despite HRs from McNeil and Alonso.
GAME 2: MATZ VS KEUCHEL:
Get ready for a slugfest! Both of these pitcher have had their struggles this season and I don’t expect that to change here.
PREDICTION: Mets 8 Braves 6
Davis, Ramos and Frazier all go deep, as Seth Lugo pitches the last two innings and picks up the save as the Mets win.
Steven Matz goes 6 innings and gives up 4 runs, but the Mets offense keeps putting runs on the board off Dallas Keuchel to get Matz the win and even this series.
GAME 3: STROMAN VS TEHERAN:
The Mets have the advantage here in my opinion. Marcus Stroman has been great for the Mets since being traded from Toronto and I expect him to go 6 innings while allowing 3 runs once again despite having to face guys like Ozzie Albies and Matt Joyce who have owned him so far this season.
The Mets offense gets to Julio Teheran and the Braves pen as they leave Sun Trust Park with a series win.
PREDICTION: Mets 11 Braves 5
Conforto ,Frazier and Panik breakout and have great games on offense as the Mets ride to victory.
But that is just me. We will see what happens beginning tonight at 7:20 PM.
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