Thursday, August 28, 2014

Citi Field in Queens

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Thursday night, Mike Minor (5 – 8, 4.90 ERA) gets the call for the Atlanta Braves as they take on the New York Mets and Jonathon Niese (7 – 9, 3.47 ERA).  Minor makes his 21st start as Niese makes his 25th.

Mike Minor pitched a gem in his last outing but he failed to get the decision.  In 7.2 innings of work, Minor surrendered just a run on 1 hit while walking 4 and striking out 5.  Minor’s offense didn’t wake up until after his exit and that kept him from getting the well deserved victory.  The start was Minor’s best in recent weeks and a win would have helped his less than impressive 3 – 4 record in his last 10 starts.  Last season, Minor was 13 – 9 with a 3.21 ERA in 32 starts.

In 2013, Minor posted a 1 - 1 record with a 3.10 ERA in 3 starts against the Mets.  This season, Minor has pitched twice against New York but didn’t receive the decision in either start.    

Jonathon Niese had a rough outing in his last start and it led to a loss that broke his 2 game win streak.  In defeat, Niese allowed 5 runs and 8 hits in 6.2 innings as he walked 3 and struck out 4.  The losses have mounted for Niese in recent starts and he is just 4 – 5 in his last 10 trips to the mound.  Last season, he finished the year with an 8 – 8 record and a 3.71 ERA in 24 starts. 

In 2013, Niese was 0 - 1 with a 6.91 ERA in 3 starts against the Braves.  He lost his only other start against Atlanta this season despite holding the Braves to a run on 4 hits in 6 innings.     

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

Atlanta Braves are 54-67-10 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Atlanta Braves is 0.2

New York Mets Betting Trends

New York Mets are 59-58-14 against the Over/Under

Run differential for New York Mets is -0.1

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta Braves

07/29/14 P Shae Simmons Shoulder 15-day DL (7/29)
06/20/14 P Gavin Floyd Elbow 60-day DL (6/20), out for season
06/20/14 P Pedro Beato Elbow 15-day DL (6/19)
03/29/14 P Brandon Beachy Elbow 60-day DL (3/21), out for season
03/29/14 P Cory Gearrin Elbow 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Kris Medlen Elbow 60-day DL (3/21), out for season
03/28/14 P Jonny Venters Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

New York Mets

08/26/14 3B David Wright Neck probable Tuesday vs. Atlanta Braves
08/25/14 2B Daniel Murphy Calf "?" Tuesday vs. Atlanta Braves
07/26/14 P Daisuke Matsuzaka Elbow 15-day DL (7/24)
04/01/14 P Bobby Parnell Elbow 15-day DL (4/1), out for season
03/28/14 P Matt Harvey Elbow 60-day DL (3/30), out for season

Josh's Pick: Take New York

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