Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets – MLB, September 18, 2020

Friday night’s NL East showdown from Citi Field in New York will open a three-game series between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. We will see some high-stake games in the next three days, so I bring you the best Braves vs. Mets betting pick for the opener.

The Braves enter this set as the best team in the NL East with a 29-21 record. They are three games ahead of the second-placed Miami Marlins, but the Braves have dropped two of their previous three contests and will look to bounce back. 

On the other side, the 22-27 Mets were fourth on Thursday and 2.5 games behind the bottom wild card in the National League. If they want to sneak into the playoffs, the Mets need to put on a strong performance against the Braves.

The Braves opened as -150 favorites on Bovada Sportsbook. They will start Max Fried, and the lefty has been their best pitcher this summer.

The totals are set at 8.5 runs, and I think the bookies have underestimated the Braves and Mets’ offense. Make sure to check out all the odds and markets on some of the best online betting sites.

I’m surprised with the totals because the Braves have the highest-scoring offense in baseball. They average 5.72 runs per contest while batting .268 (3^rd in the majors) and slugging .479 (2^nd).

On the other side, the Mets score 4.94 runs per game (9^th). Their batting average of .279 is the best in the league, while the Mets are fifth in slugging percentage (.462).

Max Fried will take the mound for the 10^th time this abbreviated season, returning from a 10-day absence due to a muscle injury. The 26-year-old southpaw has impressed thus far, sporting a 1.98 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 47/17 K/BB ratio while going 6-0.

Max started the season tossing five innings in a no-decision against the Mets, allowing a couple of runs and hits and striking out five. He’s 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in seven starts and five relief appearances against the Mets in his career.

Another southpaw will take the hill for the Mets, as rookie David Peterson will make his eighth start and ninth appearance of the season. He’s 4-2 with a 4.17 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 26/19 K/BB ratio.

Peterson meets the Braves for the second time after suffering a loss in the Mets’ 4-0 defeat on August 2. The lefty fanned eight in six innings while surrendering three earned runs on five hits and a walk.

I’ve watched Max Fried a few times this term, and he’s been outstanding. However, there will be some rust to shake off, and the Mets will be fired up to hit well in what could be a decisive series in their playoff challenge.

Also, I highly doubt David Peterson’s chances to replicate his performance from his previous encounter with the Braves. He’s allowed seven earned runs on six hits and six walks over his last two outings, and the Braves’ bats will be all over him.

Hereof, I’m taking the over on the totals at -115 odds. Three of the last five matchups between the Braves and Mets went in the over, while Atlanta is 5-2 straight up in seven meetings with New York in 2020.