The 2026 season has felt like series of one step forward, two steps backward moments. The Mets beat the Blue Jays 3-0 on Tuesday thanks to a pair of solo home runs and solid pitching. The next day the Mets completely imploded behind Freddy Peralta. Now they head to Atlanta for a four game set. Both the Mets and the Braves have each lost eight of their last ten games. The Mets are 15 games below 500 while the Braves are 15 games above, and are feeling the pressure from the Phillies right behind them. The Braves will be highly motivated to get a four game sweep of the Mets this weekend. The Mets are just trying to survive right now.
Christian Scott has made 10 starts this season, totaling 45 innings with a 3.20 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.333 WHIP and a 130 ERA+. His last start was his first since returning from the injured list and he allowed two runs from three hits over 4 1/3 innings while striking out six. It was his second consecutive start striking out at least six batters, but also his second consecutive start allowing at least one home run. The Braves have the following career stats against Scott:
- Ozzie Albies 0-3
- Joey Bart 0-2, K
- Michael Harris II 3-3
- Matt Olson 0-3, 3 K
- Austin Riley 0-2, BB, K
- Mike Yastrzemski 0-2, K
Grant Holmes has pitched in 16 games this season totaling 77 1/3 innings with a 3.96 ERA, 5.19 FIP, 1.358 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed one run over 8 2/3 innings from four hits and five walks while striking out eight. In his two starts before that he allowed six runs from eight hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings while striking out four. The Mets have the following career stats against Holmes:
- Brett Baty 1-1, BB
- Bo Bichette 0-3, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 1-3, K
- Ronny Mauricio 1-2, K
- Juan Soto 0-3, BB
- Tyrone Taylor 0-3, 2 K
- Luis Torrens 0-3, 2 K
- Eric Wagaman 1-3, 2B
Three Things To Watch For:
- Carson Benge. Benge is coming off of a 2-for-4 afternoon with a solo home run, his 10th of the season. He now has a 1.5 bWAR with a 100 OPS+ for the season to go with 11 stolen stole bases. The power has really started to come out the last month of the season. Since June 2nd he has slashed .281/.328/.491 with two doubles, two triples and six home runs. His xwOBA has been above the league average for his last 100 PA’s. Things are bleak for the Mets right now, but it’s not because of Carson Benge.
- Hitting with RISP. The Mets really struggled across the board on Wednesday. They only had one at bat with RISP and went 0-for-1. In their last four games they’ve now gone 2-for-33 with RISP. The power is there for the Mets, who have hit four home runs in their last two games, they’re just not doing it with a lot of runners on base.
- Michael Harris II Fan Club. English football fans invaded Truist Park earlier this week and adopted Michael Harris II as their favorite player. Maybe the Braves fans will have learned a few things from the English fans? Listen for chants like “There’s only one Michael Harris” which is quite funny considering he’s Michael Harris II and his son is Michael “Trip” Harris III.
Let’s Go Mets!
