What Mets Need to Do to Take NL East from Atlanta Braves

Ya Gotta Believe!

A much-needed win, a heart-breaking loss, plus a day off means Mets fans and people interested in New York sports betting can regroup for the biggest three-game series of the season.

It begins Friday as the New York Mets (98-58, .628) hold a one-game lead in the NL East when they visit the Atlanta Braves (97-59, .622). Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. (SNY) at Truist Park.

Here is how it stacks up for the Mets:

Win all 3 games, they will clinch the NL East title.
Win 2 of 3, they will have a magic number of 1.
Win 1 of 3, they still control their own destiny.
Lose all 3, they will trail by 2 games with 3 to play.

The Mets have won nine of the first 16 meetings against the Braves this season. If the Mets can earn one win in the three-game series, they will win the season series and need only to tie the Braves for the NL East lead to win the division.

The NL East champ will be the No. 2 seed and receive a first-round bye.

The loser will be the No. 4 seed and will host a best-of-three wild card series against the San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies or Milwaukee Brewers.

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Series Pitching Matchups

Friday: RHP Jacob deGrom (5-3, 2.93) vs. LHP Max Fried (13-7, 2.50)
DraftKings Sportsbook NY has both teams listed as -110 on the moneyline, with the Mets - 1.5 runs (+175) and the Braves +1.5 runs (-205).

The over/under run total is 6.5.

Saturday: RHP Max Scherzer (11-4, 2.13) vs. RHP Kye Wright (20-5, 3.18)
Sunday: RHP Chris Bassitt (15-8, 3.27) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (9-6, 4.29)

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Three NL September Collapses Since 2007

The Mets have held a substantial lead most of the season over the Braves in the NL East. In fact, they led by 10½ on June 1. That lead shrunk to 3 games by Sept. 1. Here are some previous late swoons.

2011: Atlanta had a three-game lead with five games left with a playoff berth on the line. The Braves lost four games and fell into tie with the St. Louis Cardinals on the final day of the regular season; Cards win, Braves lose; Cards in, Braves out.

2008: Arizona Diamondbacks: Led NL West by 4½ games on Aug. 30. Won only three of next 14 games to fall 4½ games behind the eventual-winner, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2007: New York Mets: Had 7-game lead in NL East on Sept. 12 over the Phillies. Lost 6 of final 7 games to win 88 on year. Phillies win division with 89 wins.

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Mets’ DraftKings Future Odds

As of Thursday afternoon, the Mets are -350 in NY MLB betting to win the NL East with Atlanta at +280. The Mets are the second choice to win the National League at +250, behind the favorite, the Los Angeles Dodgers, at +170.

The Mets are the third favorite, tied with neighbor the New York Yankees, to win the World Series at +500.

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