Mets vs. Braves prediction: MLB odds, picks, best bets for doubleheader
MLB’s regular season concludes Monday with a dramatic doubleheader in Atlanta between the Mets (88-72) and Braves (88-72) — a matchup that will determine the final two wild-card spots in the National League.Both sides need only one win from Monday’s contests to earn a playoff berth.
The winner of Game 1 will then likely pivot from using its top arms the rest of the day, giving the loser a distinct advantage in Game 2.That not only sets up an intriguing betting scenario, but it also creates a nightmare script for Arizona (89-73), which will be rooting for a sweep by either team.That’s the only way the Diamondbacks, who are at a tiebreaker disadvantage to both the Mets and Braves, can get into the playoffs.
The team that wins Game 1 will no doubt adjust its starting pitcher, lineup and bullpen usage and therefore should end up as a fairly heavy underdog in Game 2.By doing so, it will receive a significant reward in saving a top arm for the wild-card series that starts Tuesday. The Braves will turn to Spencer Schwellenbach in Game 1 and Chris Sale, if needed, in a do-or-die Game 2.
The Mets are likely to start Tylor Megill in Game 1, and Luis Severino, if needed, in Game 2. Schwellenbach will look to put an exclamation mark on what has been a fantastic rookie season.He has accrued 2.4 WAR and a 3.47 ERA across 116 2/3 innings.
He holds a strong underlying profile as well, including a 3.39 xFIP and 3.42 xERA.Since the All-Star break, the right-hander has an ERA of 2.88 in 72 innings with a WHIP of 1.01 and a Pitching+ rating of 110.He faced the Mets in his last outing, allowing just three hits and one earned run across seven innings. Megill, who has struggled to find consistency throughout his career, might not instill the most confidence among Mets fans in this critical spot.
However, the right-hander has been excellent in five starts since returning from a minor-league stint on July 30, with an ERA of 1.78 and an opponent batting average of just .187.M...