Mets at Braves
After following the best start in franchise history by dropping three of four games, the New York Mets recorded a much-needed comeback victory and hope to carry a surge of momentum into the opener of their four-game series against the host Atlanta Braves on Thursday. New York climbed back from a two-run, eighth-inning deficit on Wednesday against Washington behind two-run hits by Todd Frazier and Juan Lagares to post an 11-5 win and improve to 9-2 against National League East rivals.
One of the biggest reasons why the Mets are 13-4 is the play of Asdrubal Cabrera, who finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored on Wednesday to raise his average to .343 and give him hits in 13 of his 17 games this season. The Braves beat Philadelphia 7-3 on Wednesday, earning a series win for the fourth time in six attempts this year and winning their first three home sets since 2000. Ender Inciarte, who began the week with a .179 average, went 6-for-13 in the series to improve to .232 and robbed Philadelphia’s Scott Kingery of a home run with a brilliant leaping catch at the wall in center field. Atlanta received a big scare when Freddie Freeman – who missed 44 games last year after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist – was hit in the same spot in the eighth inning and immediately left the game.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Southeast (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (0-1, 4.80 ERA) vs. TBD
Harvey suffered his first defeat of the season on Saturday against Milwaukee but registered six strikeouts - his highest total in a start since May. Harvey also recorded his 600th career strikeout versus the Brewers while giving up four runs and eight hits in five innings. The 29-year-old, who was limited to 18 starts last season, is 3-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 11 career turns against the Braves.
Atlanta will need a change of plans as Anibal Sanchez, Thursday's originally scheduled starter, suffered a right hamstring strain while running in the outfield during batting practice on Wednesday. The Braves could turn to right-hander Lucas Sims (3-6, 5.62 ERA in 2017), who pitched four scoreless innings at Triple-A Gwinnett on April 9 and was promoted to the bullpen on Monday. Atlanta also could promote Matt Wisler (0-1, 8.35 in 2017), who is scheduled to start for Gwinnett on Friday and would be on regular rest if brought up.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta signed veteran OF Jose Bautista to a minor-league contract on Wednesday and stated the former Toronto slugger will work at third base in his attempt to return to the majors.
2. New York LF Yoenis Cespedes snapped a 2-for-11 skid on Wednesday with a two-hit performance that included his sixth career grand slam.
3. The Braves placed RHP Jose Ramirez on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation and recalled LHP Jesse Biddle from Gwinnett.