The New York Mets (67-60) and Atlanta Braves (58-69) begin a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Truist Park in Atlanta is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Mets vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Braves lead 7-3

The Mets dropped their series in Washington with a 9-3 loss to the Nationals on Thursday, falling as -124 road favorites while the Over (8) cashed. Starter Sean Manaea (4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K) took the loss. SS Francisco Lindor was a bright spot at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run. DH Starling Marte also added a solo shot.

The Braves edged the Chicago White Sox 1-0 on Wednesday to take their 3-game home series, cashing as -174 favorites with the Under (9) hitting. Atlanta’s pitching staff combined for a 4-hit shutout, led by starter Hurston Waldrep (7 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K). The only run came when DH Marcell Ozuna scored on a Chicago fielding error.

Mets at Braves projected starters

RHP Nolan McLean vs. RHP Joey Wentz

McLean (1-0, 0.00 ERA) went 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 8 K in 3-1 home victory in his MLB debut against Seattle Mariners Saturday.

2025 minor league stats: 3-1, 1.37 ERA (26 1/3 IP, 4 ER), 1.22 WHIP, 10.3 K/9 in 5 starts for Double-A Binghamton Rumble PoniesThe 24-year-old was called up from Double A on Aug. 13

Wentz (4-3 4.72 ERA) makes his seventh start and 10th appearance. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 through 68 2/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K in Saturday’s 10-1 victory at Cleveland Guardians2025 home stats: 2-1, 6.46 ERA (30 2/3 IP, 22 ER), 1.50 WHIP, 5.9 K/9 in 16 appearances (3 starts)Career vs. Mets: 0-0, 5.87 ERA (7 2/3 IP, 5 ER), 1.57 WHIP, 3.5 K/9 in 2 appearances (1 start)

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Mets at Braves odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:03 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Mets -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Braves -110 (bet $110 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Mets -1.5 (+150) | Braves +1.5 (-185)Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -118 | U: -102)Mets at Braves picks and predictionsPrediction

Braves 6, Mets 4

BET BRAVES (-110).

The Braves have dominated this season series against the Mets, winning 7 of the 10 matchups so far, including all 3 games played at Truist Park. Atlanta is also playing its best baseball of late, winning 7 of its last 8 games and 5 of its last 6 games at home. Offensively, they’ve been locked in, hitting .270 as a team over the past 15 days.

The Mets, meanwhile, continue to struggle away from Citi Field, holding a 26-36 road record while batting just .236 on the road this season. They’ll send a rookie making only his second career start to the mound. While he looked solid in his debut, asking him to cool off Atlanta’s red-hot lineup in a hostile environment is a tall order.

With the Braves surging both at home and at the plate, they’re the clear choice to open this series with a win.

PASS.

I’m not going to play with the run line when I can get the Braves at solid odds on the moneyline.

BET OVER 8.5 (-118).

The Over looks like the right play in this matchup. It has cashed in 4 of the last 6 meetings between the Mets and Braves, and both teams have been trending that way recently. New York is 6-2-2 to the Over in its last 10 games, while Atlanta is 3-1-1 in its last 5. On top of that, the Over has hit in 2 of Wentz’s last 3 starts. All signs point to another high-scoring game.

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