Braves vs Mets predictions
With the Atlanta Braves kicking off this crucial four-game set against the Mets, all eyes are on their lineup to spark some much-needed momentum. I’m expecting Ronald Acuña Jr. to play a key part in setting the tone at the top of the order; he’s always a threat to reach base, generate a run, and maybe even swipe a bag if the opportunity presents itself. Matt Olson, meanwhile, has been a steady run producer for Atlanta, and I see him notching at least a hit and driving in a run or two, especially with his power stroke heating up. Don’t sleep on Austin Riley either—he’s shown a knack for timely extra-base hits and could easily find himself knocking in a run and keeping the Braves’ offense rolling. On the mound, Spencer Schwellenbach has a decent shot at keeping the Mets’ bats off-balance for five or six innings while racking up a handful of strikeouts.
Shifting over to the New York Mets, there’s a reason they’ve got such a strong home record at Citi Field—they’re getting just enough pop out of their lineup on a regular basis. Pete Alonso is primed for a big game as always; his track record suggests he’s likely to go deep or contribute an RBI single, and with the way the Mets’ offense has been clicking, that could be just the start. Francisco Lindor’s been seeing the ball well and looks like a solid bet to snag a couple of hits, maybe even a big extra-base knock. Brandon Nimmo, batting near the top of the order, is consistently putting pressure on pitchers—look for him to reach base multiple times, possibly scoring once or twice. On the hill, Paul Blackburn is the steady hand the Mets need, and I anticipate a quality start out of him, limiting Atlanta to just a couple runs over five or so innings.
So who’s got the edge in this one? Even though the Braves have taken the first three games of the season series, there’s something about the Mets playing at home that evens things up—especially with their lineup’s patience and ability to grind out at-bats. If Alonso gets rolling early and Blackburn keeps things steady, I think New York sneaks out the win in the opener of this series. Of course, nothing is guaranteed when these two teams clash, but the Mets just feel a little more locked in right now, especially in front of those Citi Field faithful. What do you think—do the Braves flip the script, or do the Mets defend home turf yet again?
