New York Mets at Atlanta Braves 5/17/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

NL East Division rivals will square off on Monday night, when the New York Mets visit the Atlanta Braves. The Mets (18-16) were swept in Tampa Bay over the weekend by a combined 22-8 score and lead the Phillies by a half-game for first place. On Sunday, New York managed just two hits and struck out nine times during a 7-1 road loss.

Twenty-eight year old righty Taijuan Walker (3-1 2.20 ERA) has been a major addition for the Mets so far this season. New York has won each of Walker’s last four starts and he has allowed just six runs over his last 27 frames.

The Atlanta Braves won two out of three games in Milwaukee over the weekend and trail the Mets by two games for the division lead. On Sunday, Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman hit a grand slam during a 10-9 road loss. SP Huascar Ynoa (4-2) gave up five runs in four plus innings and took the loss for the Braves, who fell to 19-21 on the year.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker will give the nod to talented left-hander Max Fried (1-1 6.55 ERA) on Monday. Through 22 innings of work, Fried has struck out 24 batters and owns a subpar 1.73 WHIP.