Braves at Mets
Surely at some point the New York Mets are going to score some runs for Jacob deGrom, who hopes that time comes Friday in the second contest of a four-game home series against the Atlanta Braves. New York is suffering through a difficult season - no one more so than deGrom, who comes into his 22nd start of the season leading the majors with a 1.82 ERA, but is under .500 because the Mets have scored two runs or fewer in nine of his past 15 starts.
He faces an Atlanta team riding a four-game winning streak after a 4-2 victory in Thursday’s series opener, which improved its record against the National League East to 32-16 on the season - 10-3 against the Mets. Once again it was one of Atlanta’s young standouts leading the way as second baseman Ozzie Albies finished 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base, raising his average to .362 with 11 doubles and 17 RBIs in 31 games since June 17. The Braves are beginning a stretch of 25 games in 24 days with only one off day in that stretch and a doubleheader Tuesday at Washington, and begin play Friday one-half game behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East. One encouraging sign for the Mets in Thursday’s loss was outfielder Brandon Nimmo hitting his first homer since July 11 and only his second since June 18.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (5-3, 3.00 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-6, 1.82)
Sanchez, who slides back to Friday after his schedule start at home Wednesday against Miami was rained out, gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 26. The 34-year-old posted a 3.07 ERA in his five previous outings, including a victory over Washington on July 20 during which he struck out a season high-tying eight. Sanchez received a no-decision against the Mets on May 29, surrendering four runs on five hits over four innings.
DeGrom sat at 4-0 on May 18, but is 1-6 in his past 12 outings despite a 1.86 ERA and a .204/.254/.313 opponents slash line in that span. The 30-year-old owns a 0.98 WHIP with only 32 walks and 164 strikeouts across 138 1/3 innings. DeGrom is 5-4 with a 1.80 ERA in 15 career starts against the Braves, but is 0-1 in four starts this season despite allowing two earned runs in 25 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta rookie OF Ronald Acuna finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base, raising his average to .357 in 11 games since moving to the leadoff spot.
2. New York activated 3B Todd Frazier from the disabled list (0-for-4 with two strikeouts Thursday), and is weighing whether to put LHP Steven Matz (left forearm strain) on the DL.
3. Mets OF-3B Jose Bautista is one run shy of reaching 1,000 for his career and he would become one of 10 active players to accomplish the feat.