MLB Handicapping: Mets vs Braves

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Monday when the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves meet at Turner Field. Righthander Michael Pelfrey will take the mound for the Mets to start this game. Pelfrey is 4-1 this season with a 3.21 ERA. Pelfrey's opponent in this one will be Derek Lowe. The Braves ace righthander has a 5.73 ERA to go along with a 5-3 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Mets, while the game's total is sitting at 8½. The Mets were defeated 10-8 by the Marlins last time out, as +145 underdogs. That game's 18 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks. Jonathon Niese gave up five runs off four hits in just two innings in the loss. Eric Hinske belted a two-run homer and drove in four runs to lead the Braves to a 13-1 rout of the Diamondbacks on Sunday. The Braves won that game as -122 favorites, while the 14 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8) set by sportsbooks. Tim Hudson tossed eight innings for the win, allowing just one run off three hits and striking out six for the Braves. Current streak: New York has lost 5 straight games. Team records: New York: 18-20 SU Atlanta: 18-19 SU New York most recently: When playing on Monday are 5-5 Before playing Atlanta are 4-6 After playing Florida are 2-8 After a loss are 3-7 Atlanta most recently: When playing on Monday are 3-7 Before playing NY Mets are 6-4 After playing Arizona are 4-6 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing Atlanta The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Mets's last 11 games NY Mets are 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Atlanta NY Mets are 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Atlanta The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing NY Mets Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against NY Mets Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games Next up: Atlanta home to NY Mets, Tuesday, May 18