The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets clash Friday in game 1 of an MLB series at Citi Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

The Braves look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. The Braves have a 10-game lead in the NL East. The Braves pitching staff is 9th in ERA (3.92), 16th in WHIP (1.28) and 14th in quality starts (40). The Braves’ offense is 2nd in runs per game (5.71), 1st in batting average (.272) and 1st in homers (215). Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the Braves with 154 hits and 70 RBI, while Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies have combined for 241 hits and 151 RBI. Charlie Morton gets the ball, and he is 10-10 with a 3.86 ERA and 132 strikeouts this season. Morton is 4-6 with a 3.99 ERA and 105 strikeouts in his career against the Mets.

Atlanta Braves Team Facts

• The Braves have won 16 of their last 17 night games against NL East opponents.
• The Braves have covered the run line in 14 of their last 16 night games against NL East opponents.
• The Braves have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last six games as favorites against National League opponents.
• The Braves have trailed after 7 innings in five of their last six games as favorites against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last three games as road favorites against NL East opponents.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Marcell Ozuna has hit at least one home run in three of the Braves’ last four road games against NL East opponents.
• Sean Murphy has recorded two or more total bases in seven of his eight previous appearances against the Mets.
• Matt Olson has recorded at least one RBI in 12 of the Braves’ last 13 games.
• Ozzie Albies has scored at least one run in 14 of the Braves’ last 15 games as road favorites.
• Charlie Morton has recorded seven or more strikeouts in 10 of his last 12 appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Sean Murphy has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances with the Braves as favorites against NL East opponents.
• Matt Olson ranks T1st in the league in Home Runs (40) this season.

New York Mets Betting Preview

The Mets are desperate for a win after losing 8 of their last 11 games. The Mets are now 7 games back in the NL wild card race. The Mets pitching staff is 17th in ERA (4.37), 22nd in WHIP (1.36) and 20th in quality starts (37). The Mets offense is 19th in runs per game (4.36), 24th in batting average (.237) and 11th in homers (143). Brandon Nimmo leads the Mets with 106 hits and 47 RBI, while Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil have combined for 209 hits and 107 RBI. Tylor Megill gets the ball, and he is 6-5 with a 5.45 ERA and 61 strikeouts this season. Megill is 1-1 with a 4.02 ERA and 37 strikeouts in his career against the Braves.

New York Mets Team Facts

• The Mets have lost each of their last nine night games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The home team has covered the run line in each of the Mets’ last 10 games.
• The Mets have led after 5 innings in six of their last seven games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
• The Mets have led after 7 innings in five of their last seven games as home underdogs against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Mets’ last five home games.

New York Mets Player Prop Facts

• Pete Alonso has hit at least one home run in each of the Mets’ last three games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Pete Alonso has recorded two or more RBIs in each of the Mets’ last four games against NL opponents.
• Jeff McNeil has scored at least one run in each of the Mets’ last four home games.
• Pete Alonso has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Mets’ last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Tylor Megill has recorded five or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances with the Mets as underdogs against NL East opponents.
• Francisco Lindor has recorded at least one hit in each of the Mets’ last seven games.
• Pete Alonso ranks 3rd in the league in Home Runs (35) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Mets ranks 29th in the league for doubles this season (153).
• The New York Mets ranks 28th in the league for hits this season (890).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for home runs this season (217).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for batting average this season (.273).

Randy’s Pick

The Braves don’t string losses together this season, and the Mets have been fade material all season long. I’ve said time and time again this season, don’t back the Mets, and for good reason, as only the A’s and Royals have lost more money in the last 180 days. Tylor Megill isn’t saving the day with his 5.45 ERA and 1.68 WHIP. Megill has allowed 18 earned runs in his last 22 innings. You can argue the Braves should be in the -200 range. Give me the Braves and the reasonable price.