GAME:  #977 Braves @ #978 Mets
DATE:    7/26/2020 – 7:08p EST
ODDS:   Braves -105 / Mets -105
O/U: 9.5

The Atlanta Braves(1-1) have the final game of their 3-game opener at Citi Field against the New York Mets (1-1).  The Braves have lefty Sean Newcomb on the mound while the Mets have righty Rick Porcello making his New York debut. The Mets took the first game of the series but the Braves took the 2nd game in extra innings by way of the new rule which puts a runner on 2nd base in extra innings. It is always a good contest between these division rivals. 

WEATHER (baseball-weather.com)

ATLANTA BRAVES

Sean Newcomb is on the bump for the Atlanta Braves. Newcomb had a 3.16 ERA last season with 6 wins and 3 losses.  The Mets players that have faced Newcomb have a lifetime batting average of .246. The Braves are without their 2 main catchers, d’Arnaud and Flowers, on this road trip because they had symptoms of covid so they stayed in Atlanta. In the Braves first 2 games, it is obvious they are struggling at the catcher position so this is key to know these catchers are still absent. 

NEW YORK METS

Rick Porcello is on the mound for the Mets in the 3rd game of the home opener set. Porcello had a 5.52 ERA last season with 14 wins and 12 losses with the Boston Red Sox. The Braves have a lifetime batting average of .226 against Porcello with Freeman leading the way with 11 at-bats and 5 hits with a .455 average.  Porcello has a good record against the other Braves he has faced in the past.  

BATTER VS PITCHER  (dailybaseballdata.com)

STARTING LINEUPS (baseballpress.com)

The starting lineups are unavailable at this time but you will want to check them 2-4 hours before game time before placing final wagers to ensure the right players are playing.  

INJURY REPORT (covers.com)

TRENDS (covers.com)

HEAD TO HEAD

• Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in New York.
• Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
• Braves are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in New York.
• Braves are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings.

BRAVES vs METS PREDICTION

The National League East is expected to be the most competitive division in MLB this season.The Braves and the Mets are two of the top teams that will see each other often and the games are typically hard fought. In this particular series the Braves being without their starting catchers has been a problem that hasn’t quite caught up to them yet but will eventually.

The Bookie is taking the Mets today as they easily could of had the win yesterday but the Braves lucked out with the rule change and it worked in their favor. Mets have the better pitcher on the mound today as well as more offensive production considering Freeman is still not 100%. The public has been pounding the Braves but the Sharps have been pounding the Mets. All signs point to the Mets so that is who The Bookie is taking today with the Listed Pitcher Porcello. 

The Bookie:           Mets -105 – Rick Porcello – Listed Pitcher
Fade the Public:  Mets -105
Sharp Action:       Mets -105

1.05  Unit(s) to win 1 Unit(s) on:  (#978) New York Mets -105 LIsted Pitcher – Rick Porcello