MLB Game Preview: Atlanta Braves (45-24) vs. New York Mets (31-38)

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New York Mets logo

Venue: Citi Field — Queens, New York

First Pitch: 4:10 PM ET

Broadcast: Bally Sports South / SNY / MLB.TV

Atlanta continues its NL-best pace while the Mets try to salvage a homestand with a rotation spot still unsettled. With the Braves’ offense heating up and New York’s pitching depth stretched thin, this matchup leans heavily toward Atlanta unless the Mets’ mystery starter delivers a surprise gem.

Weather Forecast — Queens, NY

  • Temperature: 79–82°F at first pitch
  • Wind: 7–10 mph blowing out to right-center
  • Humidity: ~57%
  • Rain: <10% — dry, warm, slightly hitter-friendly
  • Impact:
    • Boost to left-handed power, especially balls hit to right-center
    • Good carry on fly balls; pitchers must keep the ball down

Injury Report

Atlanta Braves

  • SP Spencer Strider — OUT (UCL surgery)
  • RP A.J. Minter — 15-day IL (shoulder)
  • OF Michael Harris II — Day-to-day (hamstring tightness)
  • C Sean Murphy — Probable (hand bruise)
  • 3B Austin Riley — Healthy after minor back stiffness earlier in week

New York Mets

  • SP Kodai Senga — OUT (shoulder)
  • RP Edwin Díaz — 15-day IL (forearm)
  • OF Brandon Nimmo — Day-to-day (quad tightness)
  • C Francisco Álvarez — Probable (knee soreness)
  • **SP TBD — Mets expected to choose between:
    • José Butto (RHP) — 4.71 ERA, command issues
    • Christian Scott (RHP) — 3.98 ERA, strong fastball/slider
    • Bullpen game if neither is available**

Team Records & Recent Form

Atlanta Braves (45–24)

  • Last 10: 7–3
  • Trend: Offense surging; pitching stabilizing.
  • Road Record: 22–14
  • Run Differential: +71
  • Key Note: Braves averaging 5.4 runs per game in June.

New York Mets (31–38)

  • Last 10: 4–6
  • Trend: Bullpen collapsing; offense inconsistent.
  • Home Record: 15–20
  • Run Differential: -39
  • Key Note: Mets have allowed 6+ runs in 7 of their last 10.

Starting Pitching Matchup

Atlanta — LHP Martín Pérez

  • Record: 6–3
  • ERA: 3.66
  • WHIP: 1.24
  • K/BB: 58/18
  • Profile:
    • Soft-contact lefty with cutter/changeup mix
    • Excellent at limiting HRs — key in Citi Field
    • Vulnerable to right-handed power when behind in counts
  • Matchup Notes:
    • Mets’ best hitters (Lindor, Alonso) are right-handed
    • Pérez has a 3.12 ERA in day games this season

New York — TBD (Likely Butto or Scott)

If José Butto starts:

  • ERA: 4.71
  • WHIP: 1.39
  • Profile:
    • Fastball-changeup pitcher
    • Command issues lead to high pitch counts
    • Struggles vs elite offenses
  • Matchup vs Braves:
    • Atlanta crushes changeups
    • Butto has allowed 4+ runs in 4 of last 6 starts

If Christian Scott starts:

  • ERA: 3.98
  • WHIP: 1.22
  • Profile:
    • High-spin fastball, sharp slider
    • Better command than Butto
  • Matchup vs Braves:
    • Braves hit high-spin fastballs well
    • Scott’s slider could neutralize lefties (Olson, Harris)

If bullpen game:

  • Mets bullpen ERA last 14 days: 5.92
  • Major disadvantage vs Atlanta’s lineup

Key Player Matchups

Atlanta Braves

  • Ronald Acuña Jr.: Heating up; elite vs fastballs; Citi Field suits his power.
  • Matt Olson: Wind blowing out to right-center is ideal for him.
  • Ozzie Albies: Switch-hitter with strong numbers vs Mets pitching.
  • Austin Riley: .310 over last 15 games; crushes sliders.

New York Mets

  • Pete Alonso vs Pérez: Alonso hits lefties extremely well; biggest threat.
  • Francisco Lindor: Good matchup vs cutters; needs to spark offense.
  • Starling Marte: Speed threat; can pressure Atlanta’s defense.

Series History

  • 2023–2026 Combined: Braves lead 33–18
  • At Citi Field: Braves lead 15–9
  • Trend: Atlanta has won 7 of last 9 vs Mets
  • Run differential last 10 meetings: Braves +31

Betting Trends

Atlanta

  • Braves 7–2 last 9 road games
  • Over is 6–3 in last 9
  • Atlanta 8–3 in Pérez’s last 11 starts

New York

  • Mets 3–7 last 10 home games
  • Over is 5–2 in last 7
  • Mets 2–6 in last 8 vs NL East

Head-to-Head

  • Braves 6–1 in last 7 meetings
  • Over is 7–3 in last 10 matchups at Citi Field

Game Odds

Atlanta Braves                  8.5

New York Mets                 – 110

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 12, 2026

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