The Atlanta Braves are essentially performing to expectations this season but they can\u2019t afford to slip with the National League West producing stiff Wildcard competition for them. <\/p>\n
Bet On Baseball \u2013 Braves vs. Mets Preview & Pick<\/strong> Atlanta Braves (64-48 through August 4)<\/strong> They\u2019re reached that ho-hum stretch in the dog days of August, seemingly alternating wins and losses without gaining or losing ground as they push for the playoffs.<\/p>\n The biggest story of the second half for Atlanta so far is, of course, Dan Uggla. The massive first-half bust has exploded for a 25-game hitting streak, during which he\u2019s batting .354 with 11 homers and 23 RBI.<\/p>\n Whether or not Uggla contributes against the Mets on Saturday may not matter to Braves ace Tommy Hanson. The big fella won\u2019t need much run support according to his track record, which includes a 2.27 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 35.2 career innings against the Mets.<\/p>\n New York Mets (55-55 through August 4)<\/strong> The Mets had been a bit more competitive than most of us expected for most of this season but the wheels are falling off now. They\u2019d lost four straight games and counting entering Friday\u2019s series opener with Atlanta. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n New York\u2019s pitching has been decent of late. Jonathon Niese, who will pitch against Atlanta Saturday, has lost once in his last six starts. But where have the Mets\u2019 bats gone? I guess the answer in part is \u201cSan Francisco,\u201d as they traded Carlos Beltran there last week. Their remaining stars are also slipping. <\/p>\n Jose Reyes is batting .261 since the All-Star break. David Wright batted .392 in July but is hitless in his first two August games.<\/p>\n Over is 5-2-1 in ATL last 8 Sat. games. I have too much confidence in Hanson, not to mention Uggla\u2019s hot streak, to bet against the Braves right now. The Beltran deal also signalled the beginning of the end for the Mets\u2019 season. They\u2019ve given up, they\u2019re playing out the string, and they\u2019re looking ahead to a possible roster overhaul. I doubt they have the killer instinct left to handle a beast on the mound like Hanson.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Saturday, August 6, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Citi Field, Queens, NY
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>SPSO, SNY
\nAtlanta Braves at New York Mets Betting Lines from BetUS.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Braves -130<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 7.5<\/strong>
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\nTommy Hanson (11-6, 3.20)<\/p>\n
\nJonathon Niese (10-8, 3.94)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nUnder is 7-3-1 in ATL last 11 overall.
\nUnder is 7-3-1 in ATL last 11 on grass.
\nNYM are 8-1 in Nieses last 9 Sat. starts.
\nOver is 13-5 in Nieses last 18 home starts.
\nOver is 20-8-1 in Nieses last 29 starts overall.
\nUnder is 20-8-1 in the last 29 meetings.
\nUnder is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings in New York.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n