The Mets welcome the MLB-best Braves to Queens for the series opener Friday night at Citi Field.
Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean will take the mound for the Mets as he looks to shake off a so-so stretch of late.
After posting a 2.92 ERA through his first nine starts this season, putting himself square in the NL Rookie of the Year race, McLean’s ERA has ballooned to 3.98 – and he’s lucky it’s not even higher.
McLean has steadied himself after allowing 16 runs (13 earned) across back-to-back starts against the Nationals and Reds, giving up just one run combined in outings against the Marlins and Padres.
Still, there is reason for caution given the way the most recent starts unfolded.
McLean walked eight batters while striking out just seven across 11 innings in those two outings, which won’t fly against a lineup like Atlanta’s.
The Braves have scored the fourth-most runs in baseball heading into Thursday’s play, and they’ve absolutely dominated right-handers.
Atlanta’s .757 on-base plus slugging against righties trails only the Dodgers and Pirates.
There’s also the workload question.
McLean is in his first full major league season, and the recent command struggles could be a sign that the grind is starting to show.
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Even if he avoids the big inning, extra walks against this Braves lineup can turn into damage quickly – with or without Ronald Acuna Jr., who hit the injured list on Wednesday with a strained hamstring.
Bet on McLean to have a tough time with this hard-hitting Atlanta team.
The play: Nolan McLean Over 2.5 earned runs allowed (+103, Caesars Sportsbook)
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
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