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SPORTS BETTING
Baseball

New York Mets at Atlanta Braves - MLB Picks and Bets

Esten McLaren
Sportsbook Wire

The New York Mets continue their four-game set against the Atlanta Braves Friday night after taking Game 1 by a score of 6-3 at SunTrust Park. First pitch comes at 7:20 p.m. Eastern.

Odds provided by FanDuel; for a full-set of today's sports betting odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports.

New York Mets at Atlanta Braves: Projected Starting Pitchers

RHP Zack Wheeler vs. RHP Kyle Wright

Wheeler issued seven free passes his last time out but was able to pinpoint the problem as a fixable mechanical flaw. He's allowed 11 earned runs over just 9 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts against eight walks. He's given up just one home run and is surrendering fewer fly balls, but his hard-contact rate has soared from last year.

Wright, 23, has allowed three home runs already this year with a total of five earned runs through 10 1/3 innings. He has eight strikeouts but a troubling six walks and is inducing just 7.4 percent soft contact on batted balls.

New York Mets at Atlanta Braves: By the Numbers

  • The Braves are the favorites for the ninth time through 13 games. They've won seven of their last nine outright, but are coming off a loss Thursday.
  • Thursday's push on a total of nine snapped a streak of four consecutive overs for the Mets.

  • Mets rookie Peter Alonso has five homers over his past five games with each of those coming against a reliever.
  • The Mets' bullpen has the fifth-worst collective ERA in the majors and the Braves' is eighth-worst.

New York Mets at Atlanta Braves: Key Injuries

Mets 3B Todd Frazier was deemed ready to return "any day now" by manager Mickey Callaway. Alonso's excellent play at first base may delay Frazier's return and keep him from the starting lineup.

C Brian McCann remains on track to return early next week for the Braves.

New York Mets at Atlanta Braves: Picks and Betting Tips

Moneyline: The better payout is on Wheeler and the Mets at -104. Trust him at his word that his early issues are fixable as they take on the less-experienced Wright.

Against the spread: The Mets are a heavy -215 to cover +1.5. With another strong indication this one will be close, just go with the visitors at a much better number for the outright.

Over/under: The total increased from Thursday and is now set at 9.5 for Game 2. With neither starter being able to go deep in a game yet this year and both bullpens struggling mightily, take the OVER at +100.

Follow Esten on Twitter @EstenMcLaren

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