Do the Atlanta Braves still have a shot of catching the New York Mets for the NL East title? It’s not super likely but if the Braves can sweep New York early this week then it’s very possible. The teams play the second of a four-game set on Tuesday night.

Nitrobetting checks out the game in this preview. Get a complete look at the game information, team and player statistics, and the latest MLB betting odds. We also deliver timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks.

Mets vs. Braves Game Information

That was fun ????@TruistNews | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/v4VjlOnbyD

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 16, 2022

• When: Tuesday, August 16, 2022, 7:20 PM ET
• Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
• TV: SNY, Bally Sports South
• Radio: WCBS 880 (Mets) / 93.7 FM The Fan (Braves)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Mets (+129) // Braves (-147)

READ MORE: Astros vs. White Sox MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – August 17, 2022

Why bet on the New York Mets?

The Mets are awaiting word on an MRI of infielder Luis Guillorme. He was injured in Sunday’s win over the Phillies and the team diagnosed it as left groin tightness. If Guillorme is going to miss a while, the Mets haven’t ruled out the possibility of promoting mega-prospect Brett Baty from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the need at third base. The former first-round pick is hitting .315/.410/.533 with a .943 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A this year, and is ranked as MLB’s No. 18 overall prospect.

Baty has split time in the field. He’s played the vast majority of games at third base but has played 11 games in left field this season. If he is called up the idea is he would spend it at third base where he had a .920 fielding percentage in Binghamton. He’s played 604 innings at third base this season. No major leaguer with that many innings at third base has a fielding percentage below .947. If Guillorme’s MRI comes back clean, the Mets will likely withhold making a roster move and Baty will remain in Triple-A.

The timing is unfortunate as the Mets’ infield has been taking a beating of late. Both Eduardo Escobar and Jeff McNeil had to leave Friday’s game due to injuries, which forced the club to turn to outfield Mark Canha as an emergency third baseman. McNeil played Saturday and Sunday while Escobar played on Sunday. Escobar replaced Guillorme when he left.

It’s Taijuan Walker (10-3) on the bump for the Mets. Walker picked up the win in last Wednesday’s 10-2 rout of the Reds, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five. The Mets handed the right-hander a 6-0 lead before the Reds got to Walker for a couple runs in the fourth inning, but he recovered to deliver his 11th quality start of the season. He has a 3.43 ERA and 85:31 K:BB through 110.1 innings.

Mets pitchers have 16 shutouts this season, most in the majors. The Mets themselves have been blanked only five times this season.

Francisco Lindor has hit 20 home runs this season (19 as a shortstop). Asdrúbal Cabrera set the franchise record with 22 home runs as a shortstop in 2016. Lindor is seeking to become the first shortstop in Mets history to record 20 home runs in multiple seasons. He hit 20 last year. Lindor also has recorded 82 RBIs this year, 79 as a shortstop. That is the second-most RBI by a shortstop in Mets history. José Reyes owns the record, recording 81 RBI in 153 games in 2006.

Why bet on the Atlanta Braves?

Ahead of Monday’s series opener, the Braves called up Danny Young from Triple-A Gwinnett. The left-hander has produced a 3.64 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 44 punchouts over 29.2 innings in Triple-A this season. Brice Elder was optioned to Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Charlie Morton is on the hill for Atlanta. Morton (5-5) did not factor into the decision last Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk over six innings against the Red Sox. He struck out seven. Morton was a victim of the long ball as three of the six hits against him went for home runs, accounting for four of his five runs allowed. He carries a 4.26 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.

Atlanta has 48 games this season where it never trailed. That total is the third most in baseball, three off the lead of the Houston Astros. The Braves are 27-1 (.964) this season when taking a lead to the second inning.

Mets vs. Braves Betting Trends

• Mets are 16-4 SU in their last 20 games.
• Mets are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against Atlanta.
• The total went under in 5 of NY Mets’ last 7 games.
• Atlanta are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games.
• Atlanta are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home.
• The total went over in 6 of Atlanta’s last 7 games against NY Mets.

Orioles vs Red Sox Betting Prediction

Mets 4, Braves 3.

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.