Mets vs. Braves Thursday Prediction
National League East rivals will open a new series this weekend when the New York Mets visit the Atlanta Braves. Are the Braves a good bet to win the first game of the series when the two teams meet at 7:35 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
953 New York Mets (-105) at 954 Atlanta Braves (-105); 9 runs
Thursday, April 19, 2018
7:35 p.m. ET, SunTrust Park
TV: NYM (SNY); ATL (FSSO)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Braves as a -105 favorite. As of this writing, 63% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Mets to beat the Braves on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Mets’ Harvey off to inconsistent start for 2018
Matt Harvey allowed four runs on eight hits over five innings in Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Brewers.
Harvey was undone by a pair of home runs on Saturday, the big blow coming in the form of a three-run dinger by Jonathan Villar in the second inning. Jett Bandy would later knock him for a solo shot in the fourth.
The loss put an end to the Mets’ nine-game winnings streak. It’s been an up-and-down start to the year for Harvey, who opened throwing five innings of shutout ball against the Phillies, but has since surrendered four runs in back-to-back starts. He will carry a 4.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 13/3 K/BB ratio (15 innings) into a road showdown with the Braves tonight.
Braves send Anibal Sanchez to the disabled list
Braves placed RHP Anibal Sanchez on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.
Sanchez suffered the injury while doing sprints in the outfield prior to the Braves game on Wednesday against Minnesota. He was removed with an air cast around his leg, so the injury is potentially a serious one. Johan Camargo was activated from the disabled list to take Sanchez’s place on the 25-man roster.
MLB Betting Trends
New York
The Mets are 5-1 in their last six games against the Braves and have won 18 of their last 24 games in Atlanta.
Atlanta
The Braves have won four of their last five games against the Mets when Harvey pitches and are 6-1 in his last seven outings versus New York overall.
Prediction:
As of this writing, the Braves are undecided on who they’ll start tomorrow but for me, it doesn’t matter. The Braves not only lost Sanchez on Wednesday but Freddie Freeman also exited their win over the Phillies after getting hit near the same spot where his left wrist was fractured a year ago. The Braves are off to a nice start this year but if Freeman is out of their lineup their offense will sputter. I’ll take my chances with the Dark Knight and the Mets laying odds.
The Pick: New York Mets -105