Mets vs Braves Prediction - MLB Picks 8/23/23

Atlanta Braves (80-44) vs New York Mets (59-67)

Game Info: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 7:20 pm (Truist Park)

Charlie Morton (12-10) (3.54) vs Jose Quintana (1-4) (3.03)

Betting Odds: Atlanta Braves -192 / New York Mets +160 --- Over/Under: 9.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets will meet in divisional action this Wednesday from Truist Park on the MLB Network. Atlanta held on to take game two in a low scoring battle, 3-2.

Mets Preview & Projected Starter

New York moved to 59-67 after falling to Atlanta. The Mets had their rally cut short in game two, and they’ll look to get back into the win column here in the rubber match. The New York offense is scoring 3.98 runs per game, while batting .238, with a .318 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.39 ERA, with a 1.35 WHIP.

Jose Quintana (1-4, 3.03 ERA, 20 Ks) will get the ball for New York. The veteran lefty pitched well in a return to St. Louis last week, holding them to two runs in six innings pitched to earn his first victory of the season. Quintana has come in and played a very useful role over the past five weeks, holding teams to two runs or less in five of his last six outings, while delivering five straight quality starts. Quintana held Atlanta to one run thru six innings in their matchup eleven days ago, and he’ll look to keep his strong form going here.

Mets Player Trends & Props

• Pete Alonso has produced a run in five of the previous seven games, and he leads the Mets in home runs (39) and RBI (95).

• Francisco Lindor extended his hit streak to nine games in the game two loss, and after plating a run in five of the last seven games, and he’s second on the team with 23 homers and 78 RBI.

• Brandon Nimmo has recorded a hit in eight of the last ten games, and he leads NYM in batting (.267) and hits (124), with 18 HR and 51 RBI.

• Jeff McNeil has multiple hits in four of the last five games, and he’s right behind Nimmo for second on the team in batting (.266) and hits (123), with 47 runs batted in.

• Daniel Vogelbach has brought in a run in three of his previous four games, and he’s posting splits of .227/11/41 for the season.

Braves Preview & Projected Starter

Atlanta moved to 80-44 after defeating New York. The Braves struck back with a game two victory, and they’ll look to pick up a fourth straight series win here on Wednesday. The Atlanta offense is scoring 3.83 runs per game, while batting .270, with a .339 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.67 ERA, with a 1.26 WHIP.

Charlie Morton (12-10, 3.54 ERA, 146 Ks) will get the ball for Atlanta. The veteran righty doubled down on New York last time out, tying a season-high with ten strikeouts at home against the Yankees thru six scoreless frames to earn his twelve victory of the season. Prior to handling the Yanks well at home, Morton held the Mets scoreless in Queens through five innings, and he’ll to pin a third straight win over the Empire State here Wednesday night.

Braves Player Trends & Props

• Ronald Acuna Jr. has totaled multiple bases in three of the last four games, and he’s leading Atlanta in batting (.333) and hits (165), with 28 HR and 74 RBI.

• Matt Olson is hitless over his past three games, so he’s due soon, and he still leads the NL in home runs (43) and RBI (108).

• Austin Riley has collected a hit in seven of the last ten games, and he’s posting splits of .275/29/77.

• Marcell Ozuna has gone yard in both matchups with the Mets, and after recording a hit in nine of the last ten games, he’s tallied 27 home runs and 63 runs batted in for the season.

Corey’s Free Pick

It’s nice to see the Mets come out and show some fight for this divisional series despite being out of postseason contention, but it’s hard to look away from the Braves heading into game three with Charlie Morton set to take the mound at home. Uncle Charlie contained the Mets well in Queens less than two weeks ago, and it’s never a bad bet to lean on Atlanta at home with the bats they possess. Let’s back the Braves for this NL East battle, and give the under a look as well, as Jose Quintana has been sneaky good for New York.