Prediction: Atlanta Braves VS New York Mets 2025-06-24
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets: A Tale of Two Losers with a Side of Dominican Drama
By The Handicapper Who Still Thinks "Soto" is a Dessert
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The Setup
The Braves (35-41) and Mets (46-32) are two teams that should’ve been in playoff contention but are instead playing a mid-June game like it’s a Jeopardy final. The Braves, fresh off a 5-3 loss to Miami, are leaning on Matt Olson’s 15 HRs and 49 RBIs to carry their leaky offense. The Mets, meanwhile, are coming off an eight-game losing streak but boast a 27-10 home record at Citi Field that makes them look like the New York Yankees in a parallel universe.
Key Players & Injuries
- Matt Olson (Braves): The Braves’ offensive savior, but can he carry the entire team while the rest of the lineup chases shadows?
- Pete Alonso (Mets): The Dominican Dominican (no, not that one) with 18 HRs and 64 RBIs. If he’s hot, he’s a one-man wrecking crew.
- Injuries: The Braves are missing Jurickson Profar, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Mark Vientos on the IL. The Mets, meanwhile, are playing with all hands on deck (and maybe a few borrowed from the Yankees).
Odds Breakdown
- Moneyline:
- Braves: -167 (Implied probability: ~62%)
- Mets: +225 (Implied probability: ~31%)
- Spread:
- Braves -1.5 (-115)
- Mets +1.5 (-115)
- Total: 9 Runs
- Over: -105
- Under: -115
The Math
- Underdog Win Rate in MLB: 41%
- Mets’ Implied Win Probability: 31%
- Difference: 10% (Mets are undervalued by 10% per the bookmakers’ math).
Why the Mets Are the Smart Play
1. Home Field Advantage: The Mets are 27-10 at Citi Field this season. That’s better than LeBron’s free-throw percentage in the 2020 NBA Finals.
2. Braves’ Injuries: Atlanta’s IL reads like a grocery list for a post-apocalyptic survivalist. Without Profar and Vientos, their lineup is a .500 team trying to hit a moving target.
3. Mets’ Offense: Alonso’s .290 BA and 64 RBIs are enough to make a grown man weep for the Mets’ 2023 self.
The EV Calculation
- Mets’ Implied Probability: 31%
- Expected Win Rate (Underdog): 41%
- EV for Mets: (41% * 2.25) - (59% * 1) = 0.9225 - 0.59 = +0.3325 (Positive EV!)
The Verdict
Take the Mets (+225). Yes, they’re on an 8-game losing streak, but that’s just a temporary hiccup. The Braves are a team that’s lost 13 of their last 15, and their bullpen is about as reliable as a toaster in a thunderstorm. The Mets’ offense, led by Alonso and a healthy lineup, should exploit the Braves’ pitching woes.
Bonus Bet: Over 9 Runs (-105). With Olson and Alonso in the mix, this game isn’t going to be a low-scoring snoozer. The implied probabilities for Over/Under are nearly even, but the Mets’ home run rate and the Braves’ leaky pitching make this a prime Over candidate.
Final Thought
The Braves are the definition of “hope and a prayer,” while the Mets are the underdog with the better home record and healthier roster. Take the moneyline on New York and let the Dominican drama unfold.
“The Mets are like a bad Netflix series—nobody expects it to be good, but somehow it’s still worth watching.” — Your Uncle who still thinks the 2015 Mets were cursed.
Created: June 24, 2025, 9:33 a.m. GMT