Previewing the Braves-Mets Division Series in Atlanta
By Parker White
The Atlanta Braves (42-30) are arguably the hottest team in baseball, winning nine of their last 10 games, and they'll look to finish their homestand strong with a three-game set against the New York Mets (34-37), whose chances of winning the NL East are dwindling.
Atlanta's offense is red-hot and averaging nine runs a game on this current homestand, but they have to go up against some tough Mets starting pitching, including the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner. However, with the way they are swinging the bats, there isn't a pitcher who is making them quake in their boots.
Here's a look at the intriguing pitching matchups heading into this series:
#Braves vs. #Mets Probables:
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) June 17, 2019
MON: Mike Soroka vs. Zack Wheeler
TUE: Julio Teheran vs. Jacob deGrom
WED: Max Fried vs. Steven Matz
June 17: RHP Zack Wheeler vs. RHP Mike Soroka
Right-hander Zack Wheeler hasn't lived up to the expectations that were placed on him heading into this season, as he owns a 5-4 record with a 4.87 ERA over 14 starts. Wheeler had gone six or seven innings in 11 straight starts, but his last time out the New York Yankees shelled him for nine runs (five earned) over 4.2 innings.
Rookie Mike Soroka has established himself as the ace of this staff, owning a 1.92 ERA over 11 starts. He's been nothing short of spectacular, but the Pirates offense gave him some fits last time out where he allowed five runs over five innings of work.
Out of all NL starters with at least 70 innings pitched, Mike Soroka is 12th in WAR and 2nd in ERA at 1.92. Oh, and he's only 21 years old.
— Jacksoñ (@JSJohn14) June 17, 2019
He pitches tonight and the Braves are leading the NL East by 2.5 games with the sub .500 Mets coming to town.
Have a great Monday
June 18: RHP Jacob deGrom vs. RHP Julio Teheran
Jacob deGrom has been as dominant as he was last year, posting a 3.38 ERA over 14 starts, but he's coming off a start against the Cardinals where he tossed seven innings and gave up just two runs to go along with eight strikeouts.
2019 NL SO Leaders
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) June 15, 2019
Max Scherzer (136)
Stephen Strasburg (110)
Robbie Ray (106)
Jacob deGrom (102)
All Leaders: https://t.co/eMwT8a0amK
Atlanta right-hander Julio Teheran is the best starter nobody is talking about. Over his last seven starts, Teheran has posted a 3-0 record with a 0.93 ERA. Teheran faced the Mets back in April and tossed six innings of one-run ball.
June 19: LHP Steven Matz vs. LHP Max Fried
Left-hander Steven Matz is hit-or-miss every time out, but that's never been the case when he faces the Braves. In eight career starts against Atlanta, he's 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA. However, he's never faced a Braves offense like this one.
Will be interesting to see how the Braves offense performs against Wheeler, deGrom & Matz. 3 guys who normally pitch well vs the Braves.
— Jasoñ Reese (@jase1129) June 17, 2019
After a strong start to the season where he looked like an All-Star, left-hander Max Fried has been struggling lately, owning a 5.30 ERA over his last seven starts, including his last time out against Philadelphia, during which he only went 4.2 innings and gave up five runs.