The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets meet Saturday in MLB doubleheader action from Citi Field. These will be the second and third installments in a four-game weekend series. In the Friday opener, the Braves bagged a shutout victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Atlanta Braves 

The Braves took on the Pirates in a four-game series this week, managing a split with wins in games two and three. In the 7-5 Wednesday loss, the Braves’ Matt Olson and Orlando Arcia each had solo home runs. On Friday versus the Mets, Atlanta surged to a 7-0 win on 11 team hits. Eddie Rosario led the way on two hits and three RBI. 

For the game one starter role Saturday, the Braves will go with Allan Winans. In his lone start this year Winans posted 4.1 innings with two earned on five hits and a walk. As for game two it’ll be Spencer Strider. This year in 23 starts Strider is 12-4 with a 3.94 ERA.

Atlanta Braves Team Facts

• The Braves have won 12 of their last 13 games against NL East opponents.
• The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as road favorites against National League opponents following a road win.
• The Braves have trailed after 7 innings in eight of their last 11 games as road favorites.
• The Braves have led after 5 innings in each of their last five day games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last four games as road favorites against NL East opponents.

New York Mets 

Over on the Mets’ side, they managed to beat the Cubs in two of three games during their series this week. New York got a two-run homer from Pete Alonso and a solo shot from Jeff McNeil in their 4-3 win on Wednesday. Matched up Friday versus the Braves, the Mets coughed up three runs in the fourth and couldn’t keep pace. Starter Tylor Megill gave up five earned in 5.1 innings of work. 

As game one starter Saturday it’ll be Denyi Reyes. Across six games (one start) Reyes is 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA and eight strikeouts in 7.1 frames. In game two the Mets will send out Jose Quintana. So far Quintana is 0-3 with a 3.42 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 23.2 innings in four starts. 

New York Mets Team Facts

• The Mets have won each of their last nine Saturday day games against NL East opponents.
• The Mets have covered the run line each of their last 11 day games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Mets have led after 7 innings in each of their last seven Saturday day games against the Braves.
• The Mets have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six Saturday games.
• The Mets have led after 5 innings in six of their last eight games as underdogs against NL East opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Mets ranks 29th in the league for doubles this season (154).
• The New York Mets ranks 28th in the league for hits this season (897).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for home runs this season (218).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for batting average this season (.273).

ANDREW’S FREE GAME 1 PICK 

I’ll probably stay Braves here. Also probably not touching it, though. Winans did okay in his debut back on July 22, and if all goes well this will be another extended look at what he can do. I don’t expect him or Reyes to stay in there long, however. Atlanta’s offense should win out in game one. 

ANDREW’S FREE GAME 2 PICK 

I might take a stab on the Mets in game two. The team is going to need to give Quintana some help, though. Over his last three starts Quintana is 0-2 but he hasn’t pitched too badly on seven earned in 18.2 innings during that time. Strider should also bounce back from his last start (2.2 innings; six earned) so it wouldn’t be surprising to see a low total here.