The MLB betting action goes on with an eight-game Monday card, so we are taking a closer look at the NL East showdown from Citi Field in New York to get you the best Braves vs. Mets betting pick along with the latest odds update on BetOnline Sportsbook. 

Atlanta and New York meet for the first time in 2022, opening a four-game series in The Big Apple. Last year, the Braves won ten of their 19 encounters with the Mets. 

The Braves lost two games in a row                            

The Atlanta Braves fell to 10-13 on the season following a 7-3 defeat at the Texas Rangers on Sunday afternoon. It was their second straight loss and fifth in their previous eight outings at any location, as the reigning champions continue to struggle at the start of the new season. 

The Braves have scored 89 runs over their first 23 contests in 2022. Their OPS of .705 is the 11th-best in the majors, but the Braves are batting only .227, enough only for the 21st-best in the MLB. On the other side of the ball, the Braves carry an underwhelming 4.28 ERA (23rd in the majors) and 1.28 WHIP (21st). 

Max Fried will take the mound Monday at Citi Field. The 28-year-old left-hander is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 21/1 K/BB ratio this season. Last Thursday, Fried earned his second straight win, tossing six innings of a one-run ball in a 3-1 home victory over the Chicago Cubs. Max is 4-3 with a sharp 2.78 ERA in 11 career starts and five relief appearances against the Mets. 

The Mets played the Phillies on Sunday night       

The 15-7 New York Mets hosted the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night, and their closing contest of a three-game series at Citi Field has been excluded from the analysis. The Mets won the opener 3-0, while the Phillies responded with a 4-1 victory in Saturday’s middle contest. 

New York owned the best record in the majors on Sunday. The Mets have scored 98 runs over their first 22 games of the season, slashing .255/.341/.383 in the process. They’ve registered the third-lowest ERA (2.85) and the second-lowest WHIP in the MLB (1.03). 

Chris Bassitt will take the hill Monday, searching for his second straight win. Last Thursday, the 33-year-old right-hander fanned six across six scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory at the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s now 3-1 with a strong 2.25 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 26/7 K/BB ratio in four starts this season. Bassitt will take on Atlanta for the first time in his career. 

Trends:

Atlanta: 

  • 3-12 in the last 15 games on the road   

NY Mets:

  • 9-3 in the last 12 games overall   
  • 5-1 in the last six games at home 

Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets Pick 

The reigning champs have been pretty unpredictable so far this season. They haven’t won or lost three straight contests which tell you enough about their inconsistency. On the other side, the Mets have been impressive thus far, especially their starting rotation, so I lean toward the hosts in this matchup. 

The Braves certainly stand a chance of winning the opener at City Field. They’ll send their top ace to the mound, and the current Mets are slashing only .235/.326/.333 with three home runs in 119 at-bats against Max Fried. On the other side, the current Braves have a paltry six career at-bats against Chris Bassitt. 

Pick: Take New York Mets                    

The Total:

The opening clash between Atlanta and New York should be a low-scoring affair, so my best Braves vs. Mets betting pick would be the under on the totals. If both Max Fried and Chris Bassitt put on a strong performance, the Braves and Metsies shouldn’t combine for more than seven runs. 

Furthermore, both clubs can lean on their relievers. In the last seven days, the Braves’ bullpen has registered a shiny 2.28 ERA and 2.42 FIP, while the Mets’ bullpen has posted a solid 3.66 ERA and 3.25 FIP. 

Pick: Go under