This is a 10* on ATLANTA

After taking 2 of 3 from the Phillies, the Mets are 1.5 games back of the last playoff spot in the NL. The task of catching up gets significantly harder this weekend with the Braves coming to town. First place Atlanta is one of the best teams in the Senior Circuit and will be starting Max Fried on Friday. Fried has gone 6-0 in his nine starts. The team is 8-1. Fried has a 1.98 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. While the Braves just had a surprisingly disappointing series at Camden Yards, losing 2 of 3, their offense had been red hot prior to that and should have its way tonight with Mets starter Steven Matz. David Peterson was originally going to start here for the Mets, but an overnight change was made to Matz and we like it. Matz is 0-4 this year with a 9.00 ERA. The team has lost all five of his starts. In his last three turns, Matz has given up 19 runs in 11 ⅔ innings. The Mets bullpen has been working overtime of late, which means they may not be of much help either. Play on ATLANTA

AAA