Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
Posted: August 8, 2007
By SBG Global
7:10 pm Eastern
Opening Line: Mets PK, Total 8 flat
The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets continue their key series on Wednesday night in New York with a matchup between two veteran pitchers. John Smoltz goes for the Braves while the Mets send Orlando Hernandez. Smoltz is 10-6 on the season with an ERA of 3.04 while Hernandez is 7-4 with an ERA of 3.00. SBG Global reports that early baseball betting has the public taking the Braves on the road at a PK.
John Smoltz did not pitch well in his last start giving up five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against Colorado. Smoltz has pitched well though against the Mets this year going 2-0 and holding them to two runs or less in two of his three starts against them.
Orlando Hernandez has been excellent of late for the Mets. He is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his last four starts. His last effort against the Cubs was superb as he struck out nine over 6 2/3 frames while holding the Cubs to just two earned runs. Hernandez allowed one run in six innings against the Braves earlier this season.
SBG Global Current Line: Mets PK, Total 8 flat
The Braves are learning how to win without super shortstop Edgar Renteria who is on the DL. Filling in has been Yunel Escobar who is showing his everyday talent. "He can play anywhere in the infield, but he's great at shortstop," said manager Bobby Cox. Escobar is hitting over .300 this season and is filling in nicely so far for Renteria who was hitting .336 when he suffered a high right ankle sprain.
The Mets have been getting good pitching of late, especially from closer Billy Wagner who was perfect in July saving eight games in eight tries and not allowing a single run. The great numbers earned Wagner the DHL's Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award. Wagner went the entire month of July and allowed just two hits. He now has a 1.39 season ERA and is having the best season of his career. After getting a save in Los Angeles, Wagner said, "I don't need to be a hero. We just need to win."
Here were the betting statistics heading into Tuesday’s action. The Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. the National League East. The Braves are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Braves are 6-2 in their last 8 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 overall. The Braves are 4-10 in their last 14 games as an underdog. The Braves are 1-4 in their last 5 road games. The Braves are 8-3 in Smoltz's last 11 starts vs. the National League East. The Braves are 7-15 in Smoltz's last 22 starts as an underdog. The Braves are 1-4 in Smoltz's last 5 starts. The Braves are 4-0 in Smoltz's last 4 starts vs. the Mets. The Braves are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings between the two teams.
The Mets are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. The Mets are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Mets are 4-1 in their last 5 overall. The Mets are 10-4 in their last 14 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Mets are 12-5 in their last 17 games as a home favorite. The Mets are 26-12 in their last 38 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Over is 4-0 in the Braves last 4 vs. the National League East. The Over is 6-1 in the Braves last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 5-1 in the Braves last 6 games as a road underdog. The Over is 23-7-1 in the Braves last 31 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 26-8 in the Braves last 34 overall. The Over is 19-7 in the Braves last 26 games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Over is 4-0 in the Mets last 4 Wednesday games. The Over is 4-0-1 in the Mets last 5 overall. The Under is 4-1 in the Mets last 5 vs. the National League East. The Over is 4-1 in the Mets last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 13-4-2 in the Mets last 19 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Pick Mets -110 4 units out of 5
