Mets vs Braves | Predictions

New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves
7:10 PM Monday August 2 – ESPN
Click Here for more FREE Expert MLB Picks

Pitching Probables: Johan Santana vs. Tim Hudson

If the Mets are going to get back into the race in the National League East now would be a good time. A sweep and they can make it interesting both for the Braves and the resurgent Phillies. It helps to get the series started with ace Johan Santana. He may not be striking out guys like he used to but he has been very sharp lately…or at least he was until his last start where he gave up 7 runs to the Cardinals. Prior to that he has gone five straight starts without giving up more than a run. Included in that stretch was 7 shutout innings in a 3-0 victory over the Braves. Both of these teams are struggling with only four victories in their last ten games. Meanwhile Philadelphia is making moves and making up ground. If either of these teams want to make the playoffs they need to start showing it.

Speaking of pitchers having a renaissance I can’t recall anyone other that Chris Carpenter who has come back stronger from Tommy John surgery than Tim Hudson. It may be the year of the pitcher but nobody expected Hudson to be the Braves ace this year. That role was supposed to go to phenom Tommy Hanson, who has struggled much more than expected, especially lately. Meanwhile Hudson has been fantastic including a recent shutout of the Mets last month. It looks like a pitcher’s duel could be witnessed, especially with two lineups that struggle to score consistently. The question is which one will scrape together enough runs to prevail. In such an even contest it is definitely worth mentioning that the Braves have been fantastic at home this year, on a recent 24-7 run.

Prediction: The Mets will need another stellar performance from Santana to have a chance. I just don’t see him being able to fool the Braves to that extent tonight.

The odds makers have the Atlanta Braves as a -1½ favorite with a run total of 6½.

Score Prediction:
Atlanta Braves – 4
New York Mets – 2

Click Here for more FREE Expert MLB Picks

New York Mets Betting Trends:

• NY Mets are 6-15 SU in its last 21 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets’s last 6 games on the road
• NY Mets are 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets’s last 5 games when playing Atlanta

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends:

• Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
• Atlanta is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 6 games at home
• Atlanta is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing NY Mets