Braves-Mets Open Weekend Series at New York Friday

MUST KNOW

Atlanta Braves (22-12, second in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (18-18, third in the NL East)

New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Charlie Morton (2-0, 3.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 33 strikeouts); Mets: Jose Quintana (1-3, 5.20 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 25 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTS BOOK: LINE Braves -153, Mets +130; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets open a three-game home series against the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

New York is 9-10 in home games and 18-18 overall. The Mets are 10-6 in games when they have scored at least five runs.

Atlanta is 9-8 in road games and 22-12 overall. The Braves have the third-highest team slugging percentage in the National League at .419.

The teams face off Friday for the fourth time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Nimmo has five homers, 25 walks and 25 RBIs, hitting .229 for the Mets. Starling Marte is 10-for-43 with two doubles and three RBIs over the last 10 games.

Marcell Ozuna has six doubles and 12 home runs for the Braves. Austin Riley is 11 for 41 with a triple and a home run over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mets: 5-5, .229 batting average, 3.82 ERA, even run differential

Braves: 4-6, .196 batting average, 3.20 ERA, led by seven runs

INJURIES: Mets: Drew Smith: 15-day IL (undisclosed), Francisco Alvarez: 15-day IL (thumb), Brooks Raley: 15-day IL (elbow), Kodai Senga: 60-day IL (shoulder), Tylor Megill: IL 15 days (shoulder), David Peterson: IL 60 days (hip), Ronny Mauricio: IL 60 days (knee)

Braves: Tyler Matzek: 15-day IL (elbow), Angel Perdomo: 60-day IL (elbow), Pierce Johnson: 15-day IL (elbow), Spencer Strider: 15-day IL (right elbow sprain), Sean Murphy: IL 10 days (oblique strain)