The New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves on Thursday evening in the fourth game of a four-game set at Citi Field. <\/p>\n
Atlanta Braves (49-42) at New York Mets (42-49)<\/strong>
\nDate: Thursday, July 10, 2014<\/strong>
\nTime: 7:10 p.m. ET<\/strong>
\nVenue: Citi Field<\/strong>
\nCity: New York, New York<\/strong>
\nO\/U Odds: 7.5<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: New York -105, Atlanta -105<\/strong>
\nPitching Matchup: RH Aaron Harang (8-6, 3.67 ERA) at RH Bartolo Colon (8-7, 4.04 ERA)<\/strong>
\n [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/strong><\/p>\nMLB Matchup Stats<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0MLB ATS Insider Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Mets are coming off a 4-1 win in the third game of the series on Wednesday, and are now in position to close out a four-game sweep, while the Braves had won 9 of 10 games before arriving in New York, and are now in danger of dropping their fifth straight contest.<\/p>\n
The Mets send out Bartolo Colon for the finale of this series. He\u2019s hit a bit of a speed bump in each of his last two outings, surrendering five earned runs each time out.<\/p>\n
\nBuy Razor Ray’s MLB Picks in 2014. You won’t regret it!! \u2014\u2013><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In his last start, Colon gave up five runs on eight hits over seven innings of work in a 5-3 loss to the Texas Rangers. In his start before that, he allowed a matching five runs over six innings of work in a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.<\/p>\n
Prior to those outings, though, Colon had allowed two earned runs or less in seven consecutive outings, lasting at least seven innings in six of them, and pitching into the eighth inning five times, compiling a 6-0 record in those seven contest.
\n[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
\nIn his lone start against the Braves this season, Colon allowed three unearned runs over seven innings of work, scattering eight hits and striking out six while walking only one batter.<\/p>\nHe will oppose Aaron Harang in this one. Harang has really regressed after a hot start to the season. In his last four starts, Harang has allowed nine or more hits three times.<\/p>\n
Harang\u2019s lone start against the Mets this season saw him allowed one run on two hits while walking four batters in six innings of work, firing 110 pitches before his night was done in a 4-0 loss.<\/p>\n
While Colon has hit a bit of a rough patch, he\u2019s been very strong at spacious Citi Field this season, and has already demonstrated an ability to control the Braves hitters.<\/p>\n
As for Harang, he pitched well beyond his capabilities to begin the season, and the general public has been slow to react to his current regression, offering some value to Mets supporters in this one.<\/p>\n
Additionally, neither pitcher\u2019s form is all that great right now, but the total set for this game doesn\u2019t really indicate that.<\/p>\n
Citi Field is a definite pitcher\u2019s park, and the Braves\u2019 offense has been known to go missing at times, but it won\u2019t take a lot to get over this number.<\/p>\n
The Mets are 4-1 in Colon\u2019s last five home starts, and they are 6-2 in their last game games when playing the finale of a four-game series.<\/p>\n