What is going to matter extra: the Mets’ schedule or the Braves’ sizzle?
Nobody has a better slate remaining than the Mets. Nobody is enjoying higher than the Braves.
With 24 video games left, the Mets have the smoother course forward. The Braves, with 25 video games left, have a seven-game successful streak and momentum that has not waned since June.
The house stretch is right here for baseball’s greatest divisional race.
There are underneath 4 weeks remaining to settle an NL East that the Mets have let slip and the Braves have tried to seize. A Mets lead that was 10 ¹/₂ video games on June 1 shall be a half-game as Buck Showalter’s crew heads to Miami and the Braves head to Seattle for sequence that start Friday.
FanGraphs estimates the Mets have a 63.5 p.c likelihood of successful the division, which appears extra assured than most followers round Queens. Here's a primer for what lies forward in one other basic Mets-Braves battle:
Schedule
— In line with Tankathon, the Mets have the simplest schedule remaining within the majors — however that was true for his or her previous two sequence, too, once they went 3-3 in opposition to the Nationals and Pirates. The Mets have 10 in a row in opposition to sub-.500 golf equipment till three video games in Milwaukee. After the Brewers sequence, the one high quality staff the Mets will play would be the Braves themselves, from Sept. 30-Oct. 2, in Atlanta.
A possible break: For his or her upcoming sequence, the Mets will miss Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara.
— Getting into play Thursday, the Braves’ remaining schedule was the Twelfth-easiest in baseball. Brian Snitker’s crew is amid a West Coast journey that may go from Seattle to San Francisco. Upon returning to the East Coast, the Braves will play seven of 11 video games in opposition to Bryce Harper and the Phillies, who're preventing for a playoff spot.
A possible break: The Braves will dodge Mariners ace Luis Castillo and are set as much as keep away from Giants standout Logan Webb within the ensuing sequence.
Well being considerations
— The Mets have a number of vital worries. Max Scherzer will miss at the very least two begins with what the staff termed left indirect irritation. The Mets are attempting to keep away from inserting Starling Marte on the IL and — for now at the very least — are hoping their most constant hitter can handle a damaged proper center finger.
Infielder Luis Guillorme (hamstring pressure), who's in the course of a rehab task and must be nearing activation, leads the reinforcements. Trevor Could (COVID-IL) is anticipated to return this weekend. The Mets have a number of rehabbing relievers who might turn out to be September choices, together with Tylor Megill, Drew Smith and Joey Lucchesi.
— The Braves are getting more healthy. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies, who broke his foot in June, started a rehab task final week and is nearing a return, which might push breakout rookie Vaughn Grissom to left discipline. Righty starter Mike Soroka, an All-Star in 2019 earlier than a sequence of accidents struck, is build up in Triple-A and may very well be an possibility quickly.
The rotation assist may very well be necessary. Jake Odorizzi didn't take his most up-to-date flip within the rotation due to arm fatigue.
The biggest concern for Atlanta’s place gamers belongs to Ronald Acuña Jr., who's being cautious together with his surgically repaired proper knee. Acuña, usually a proper fielder, has served because the DH within the Braves’ previous seven video games due to knee soreness.
Streaking
— The Mets’ different bats. Eduardo Escobar owns a six-game hitting streak during which he's batting .526 with three house runs. James McCann is displaying extra life than he has since signing with the Mets. Beforehand struggling Tyler Naquin has stuffed in properly for Marte.
Jacob deGrom (1.66 ERA) has returned as a superhuman, and Chris Bassitt boasts a 1.75 ERA in his previous seven begins.
— The Braves have scored 34 runs of their previous seven video games, a lot of their lineup is scorching. Outfielder Marcell Ozuna, hitting .438 this month, has caught fireplace; Grissom, hitting .347, has performed like a star since his August call-up; and outfielder Michael Harris II owns a 14-game hitting streak.
Atlanta’s rotation has a fear in Odorizzi however a warrior in Spencer Strider, who has 25 strikeouts in his previous two outings.
Skidding
— The Mets’ most necessary bats, Pete Alonso (.646 OPS in September) and Francisco Lindor (.609), are having their worst months of the season. Daniel Vogelbach (3 for his final 30) and Darin Ruf (batting .163 as a Met) haven't helped sufficient at DH.
The Mets’ rotation has the identical second-half concern because it did final season: Taijuan Walker (6.25 ERA because the break) has fallen off for a second straight 12 months.
— Dansby Swanson was a first-time All-Star this season, however the Braves shortstop’s play has dipped within the second half. Outfielder Robbie Grossman, a deadline pickup from the Tigers, has but to hit.
Fourth starter Kyle Wright has been glorious this season however has surpassed his career-high in innings, which bears watching. He was roughed up by the A’s offense Tuesday.
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