MLB Baseball Betting: New York Mets vs Atlanta Braves

Sunday, September 18, 2011

by Frank Martin

The Atlanta Braves turn to rookie Brandon Beachy in the final of their three-game series with the visiting New York Mets on Sunday.

Atlanta has started a rookie in seven of its last 11 games and has seen them post a 2-0 mark with a 3.16 ERA and 30 strikeouts. The teams have split the first two games of the series. Atlanta leads the St. Louis Cardinals by 4 1/2 games in the race for the wild card.

- New York Mets (72-80) vs. Atlanta Braves (87-65)
When: 1:35 PM ET, Sunday, September 18, 2011
Where: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSS (Atlanta)

The Braves have opened as 179-moneyline favorites on Bet Online Sportsbook’s Live MLB Baseball Odds.

Mets RH Dillon Gee (12-6, 4.37 ERA) vs. Braves RH Brandon Beachy (7-2, 3.43 ERA)

Gee has pitched well over his last two starts, but has a 0-1 record to show for it. He allowed only two runs against the Washington Nationals and three runs against the Braves. Gee has been especially tough against left-handed hitters; they’re batting only .190 against him, but have touched him for 10 of his 17 home runs. Gee is 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA in five starts against the Braves this season, with 21 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.

Beachy has won four straight, but has received a no-decision in his last three starts. During that span of 17 innings, he’s allowed eight runs and struck out 24. He’s 4-1 since the All-Star Game. Opponents are hitting just .235 against Beachy, who has 152 strikeouts in 131 1/3 innings. Beachy will be making his first career appearance against the Mets.

David Wright’s two-homer game on Friday was the 17th multi-homer contest of his career, tying him with Mike Piazza and Carlos Beltran and trailing only Darryl Strawberry with 22. Josh Thole appears ready to break out of his batting slump; he’s 4-for-6 in the series after going 4-for-25 over the previous dozen games. Ruben Tejada has a seven-game hitting streak, going 11-for-32 over that stretch.

Atlanta ace Tim Hudson won his team-leading 15th game and struck out a season-best 10 batters in a 1-0 win on Saturday after adjusting his delivery. Hudson moved his heel closer to the rubber, and that seemed to make all the difference. It was the 12th time Hudson has recorded double-digit strikeouts.

Martin Prado was back in the No. 2 spot in the order for the first time since Sept. 7. Prado responded with his first career hit off R.A. Dickey. Reliever Craig Kimbrell has struck out 42 percent of the batters he’s faced.

Atlanta’s Kris Medlen was pleased with his first session facing live batting practice in more than 13 months on Saturday. Medlin threw 25 pitches. He’s scheduled to face another round on Sunday and perhaps go to Florida for some game action. He could join the Braves for the final series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Medlin had Tommy John surgery a year ago.

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Category

• Baseball Matchup

Tags

atlanta braves - brandon beachy - carlos beltran - craig kimbrell - darryl strawberry - david wright - dillon gee - josh thole - kris medlen - martin prado

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