The New York Mets (75-40, 65-51 RL, 57-50-8 O/U) take on the Atlanta Braves (69-47, 59-57 RL, 58-51-7 O/U) in the first of a big three-game divisional series on Monday evening. The Mets will have Carlos Carrasco on the hill. The Braves counter with Charlie Morton. The Mets lead the season series by an 8-4 count.
The Mets will have Carlos Carrasco take the mound for the 23rd time of the year. Carrasco was solid in his latest effort, limiting the Reds to only two runs in 6.2 innings, and was credited with yet another win to lift his record to 13-4. The veteran right-hander is having one of the best seasons of his long career, recording a 3.76 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 124.1 innings of work. Carrasco has kept the Braves in check this year, holding them to only three runs in 14 innings and 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA in 21 career innings against the rivals.
New York just registered a dominant homestand and now heads out on a challenging 10-game road trip. They have been just as good on the road where they have won six bouts in a row. The Mets won two of three against the Phillies this week and hold a 6.5-game lead atop the NL East.
The Mets have all players generating offense. They recently added Daniel Vogelbach from the Pirates and he is contributing, driving in five runs in his last five games, and has a .950 OPS on the month. The 29-year-old has 45 RBIs this season. Vogelbach has two homers and three RBIs against the Braves.
New York is scoring an average of 4.83 runs per game, ranking them third in the big leagues. The pitching staff has logged a 3.49 team ERA, good for fifth overall.