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MLB · Sun, Jul 5 · 12:30 PM

Mets at Braves

O/U 11.5 · RL Mets -1.5 · Truist Park

GARY'S PICK
Braves Moneyline
MLBvs Mets· -116

Braves
Moneyline

-116 · LOST · NYM 10 · ATL 9

Mets

The pick & result

Published pick
Braves ML -116
Published odds
-116
Result
Lost
Final score
10-9

Odds are the American price printed with this pick, not a current offer. Wins, losses and pushes remain on the public record; a missing grade is not a win.

The read

We have a blistering afternoon at Truist Park as the Atlanta Braves look to finish off a sweep of the division-rival New York Mets in suffocating 94-degree heat. The market has priced this game surprisingly tight because of a stark contrast in starting pitching metrics. The Mets run out Nolan McLean, who boasts an elite 10.7 K/9 and a 3.46 xERA that suggests his 3.78 ERA is actually underperforming. The Braves counter with veteran lefty Martín Pérez, who has been highly regression-prone with a 4.36 xERA compared to his shiny 3.27 ERA, while showing signs of fading recently with a 7.00 ERA over his last two outings. However, single-game results do not bend solely to season-long expected metrics. The market is overpaying for McLean's underlying profile while ignoring the brutal situational spot he faces today.

McLean has a glaring day-game vulnerability, pitching to a 4.70 ERA in day starts compared to a stellar 3.16 ERA at night. Today's extreme heat will turn Truist Park into a launching pad, which is terrifying for McLean given his platoon splits. He allows a .699 OPS to left-handed hitters compared to a microscopic .558 to righties, and the Braves are throwing seven left-handed or switch hitters at him today. Left-handed bats like Matt Olson (.894 OPS vs. RHP) and Michael Harris II (.874 OPS vs. RHP) are poised to do heavy damage. To make matters worse, the Mets' defense is highly compromised. Playing Brett Baty (who is hitting just .167 over his last 10 games) out of position at second base behind a ground-ball pitcher like McLean (1.44 GO/AO) in a hot, fast infield is a recipe for defensive miscues.

The strongest case against the Braves is Pérez's recent command struggles, as he has issued seven walks over his last nine innings and must face Juan Soto, who absolutely destroys Pérez's primary pitch types with a .478 xwOBA against changeups and a .487 against four-seamers. But even if Pérez falters, the Braves have a massive bullpen and depth advantage. Thanks to Chris Sale's deep outing yesterday, elite back-end arms Raisel Iglesias (1.53 ERA, 17 SV) and Joe Fuentes (2.41 ERA) are completely fresh. The Mets' bullpen, conversely, is completely spent after yesterday's 14-3 blowout and lacks any reliable middle-relief depth. With the Mets in a 2-8 tailspin over their last 10 games and holding a miserable 17-29 road record, laying just -116 on a dominant Braves team at home (27-16) is excellent value. Trust the situational splits and the price—back Atlanta to complete the sweep.

Injuries noted

Braves: [KNOWN] Robert Suarez (RP) — Elbow (Right): An MRI on Suarez's right elbow came back negative Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. (Jun 26 — 8d ago) [KNOWN] Spencer Strider (SP) — Elbow (Right): Atlanta transferred Strider (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday. (Jun 17 — 17d ago) [KNOWN] Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF) — Hamstring (Left): Acuna (hamstring) went through a full pregame workout at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. (Jun 30 — 4d ago) [KNOWN] Sean Murphy (C) — Finger (Left): Murphy had the cast on his left hand removed Tuesday and is now wearing a splint to protect his fractured middle finger, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reprots. (Jun 4 — 30d ago) [KNOWN] Joey Wentz (Relief Pitcher) — Knee (Right): Atlanta placed Wentz (knee) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday. (May 8 — 58d ago) [NEW] Ha-Seong Kim (SS) — Finger (Right): Atlanta placed Kim on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Wednesday, due to right middle finger inflammation. (Jul 4 — 0d ago) Mets: [KNOWN] Clay Holmes (SP) — Lower Leg (Right): Holmes (fibula) has been throwing on flat ground and is expected to progress to mound work next week, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports. (Jun 28 — 6d ago) [KNOWN] Jorge Polanco (Second Baseman) — Achilles (Left): Polanco (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. (Jun 27 — 7d ago) [KNOWN] Marcus Semien (2B) — Hip (Left): Semien was diagnosed Monday with a Grade 3 left hip flexor strain and is expected to be out for 4-to-6 weeks, at a minimum, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. (Jun 29 — 5d ago) [KNOWN] Luis Robert Jr. (Center Fielder) — Back (Not Specified): Robert (back) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. (Jun 29 — 5d ago) [KNOWN] Justin Hagenman (Relief Pitcher) — Ribs (Not Specified): The Mets placed Hagenman on the 60-day injured list Saturday due to a rib fracture. (May 8 — 58d ago)

The research

The dated measurements the app shows under this card — observations with their sample and source, not predictions.

PLATOON EDGE

  • Mark Vientos (bats R) hits 4th against Martin Perez (LHP)

    .857

    Over 88 AB vs. Left, Mark Vientos owns a .857 OPS versus .516 in 147 AB the other way. He sees LHP Martin Perez tonight hitting 4th, where the platoon side lines up his way.

  • Tyrone Taylor (bats R) draws Martin Perez (LHP), batting 6th

    .755

    Tyrone Taylor carries a .755 OPS vs. Left (53 AB) against .429 the other way (54 AB), and faces LHP Martin Perez from the 6th spot — a split his blended season line may not reflect.

  • Dominic Smith (bats L) gets a RHP from the 6th spot

    .765

    Dominic Smith's vs. Right line (.765 OPS, 165 AB) sits well above his .459 mark the other way (26 AB). Tonight's starter Nolan McLean throws RHP, the hand he hits best.

HEAT CHECK

  • Mauricio Dubon: .910 OPS in Last 15 Days

    .910

    That .910 OPS spans the last 15 days (48 PA) against a .750 season baseline, a 0.16 swing. He has 9 home runs on the season. His total-bases line tonight: 1.5.

COOLING OFF

  • Drake Baldwin: .209 OPS in L15 — draws RHP Nolan McLean

    .209

    Drake Baldwin's .209 OPS over the last 15 days (49 PA) trails his .769 season mark, down 0.56. Tonight he draws RHP Nolan McLean — his weaker side: a .727 OPS vs RHP across 147 AB.

  • Dominic Smith: .472 OPS in L15 — draws RHP Nolan McLean

    .472

    Dominic Smith's .472 OPS over the last 15 days (28 PA) trails his .723 season mark, down 0.251. Tonight he draws RHP Nolan McLean — his stronger side: a .765 OPS vs RHP across 165 AB.

FIRST INNING

  • NRFI watch: quiet first innings on both sides of NYM @ ATL

    NRFI

    ATL games have seen a first-inning run in just 3 of their last 10; NYM games in 3 of 10. That is 14 clean opening frames between them.

REGRESSION

  • Francisco Lindor: .224 AVG vs .263 xBA

    .263

    Francisco Lindor is hitting .224 against a .263 expected average (xBA) over 140 plate appearances. His wOBA sits at .307 against a .347 expected (xwOBA). Statcast grades the quality of his contact rather than the results, and the expected marks sit above what he has actually posted.

All research from this day

About this analysis

Who made it
Gary AI, an AI sports-analysis product operated by Gary A.I. LLC. No human reviewer is claimed unless one is explicitly named.
Published data
Daily picks first stored July 5, 2026 at 11:07 AM ET.
Odds record
The pick receipt shows the price printed in the published ticket. The matchup market and line ladder provide separate market context. Stored sportsbook sources: fanatics, caesars, draftkings, fanduel, betmgm, betrivers.
Accountability
Read the editorial standards, source policy, and corrections process.

Props on this game

2
  • GARY'S PICK
    MICHAEL HARRIS IIH+R+RBI OVER 1.5
    MLBBraves· -140

    Michael Harris II
    H+R+RBI over 1.5

    -140 · CASHED · ACTUAL 6

    Braves

    Michael Harris II is the Braves' most consistent offensive threat, maintaining a .301 season average and entering today with a hit in four of his last five games (including two multi-hit performances). He holds a significant platoon advantage against Nolan McLean, who has struggled much more against left-handed bats this season (.699 OPS allowed vs .558 to RHB). With 94-degree temperatures creating an elite environment for ball carry and Harris II batting in a high-run environment (Braves average 4.9 R/G), the probability of him recording multiple combined hits, runs, or RBIs is high. Harris has cleared this specific 1.5 line in 80% of his most recent five games.

  • GARY'S PICK
    FRANCISCO LINDORH+R+RBI OVER 1.5
    MLBMets· -136

    Francisco Lindor
    H+R+RBI over 1.5

    -136 · CASHED · ACTUAL 5

    Mets

    Francisco Lindor enters this matchup in excellent form, having recorded three home runs in his last 10 games and clearing the 1.5 HRR mark in 70% of those contests. He faces Braves starter Martín Pérez, whose surface-level success (3.27 ERA) is undercut by a 4.36 xERA and a .323 xwOBA, indicating he has been fortunate to avoid more damage. Lindor's leadoff role ensures maximum plate appearance volume to exploit Pérez's contact-heavy profile (7.1 K/9). The extreme heat at Truist Park (94°F) will further assist ball flight for a hitter who has been finding his power stroke recently.

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