Sharp money has pushed the total up slightly despite Citi Field's pitcher-friendly reputation.
Game Overview
The Mets and Braves have split the first two games of this series heading into Thursday night's rubber match. After the Mets crushed Atlanta 13-5 in the opener, the Braves rallied from a 6-0 deficit to stun New York 11-6 on Wednesday night. The Mets have dominated this season series overall, winning 5 of 7 meetings, though Atlanta seems determined to play spoiler against their division rival's playoff push. New York remains in the thick of the Wild Card race despite dropping 8 of their last 11 games, while the injury-plagued Braves continue playing for pride after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Key Matchups & Analysis
- Kodai Senga vs. Braves Lineup
Senga has been magnificent in 2025, posting a 2.30 ERA across 94 innings with 88 strikeouts. His ghost fork remains one of the most devastating pitches in baseball, and Atlanta's free-swinging lineup plays right into his strengths. - Bryce Elder's Road Struggles
Elder has been dreadful all season, posting a 6.12 ERA, but he's been particularly vulnerable away from Truist Park with a 6.78 ERA in road starts. The right-hander allows too much hard contact and faces a Mets lineup that's starting to rediscover its power stroke. - Mets' Middle Relief Concerns
Wednesday's meltdown highlighted ongoing issues in New York's middle relief corps. Reed Garrett surrendered a crushing grand slam, continuing a troubling pattern for a bullpen that's blown multiple late leads in August. - Pete Alonso's Hot Streak
The newly-crowned Mets home run king has been scorching hot, hitting .429 with three homers in his last five games. His 98 RBIs are tied for the MLB lead, and Elder's tendency to leave pitches over the plate could spell disaster against Alonso and Juan Soto.