New York Mets at Atlanta Braves Game 1 Best Bet – 9/30/2024

There are only two games going on in MLB on Monday and both are between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. Their doubleheader from Truist Park will decide which two teams claim the final two Wild Card spots in the National League. In Mets vs Braves Game 1 this afternoon, both teams will look to set the tone and clinch a playoff berth without having to worry about the second game.

What Are the Mets vs Braves Doubleheader Scenarios?

The scenarios for Monday’s Mets vs Braves doubleheader are pretty straightforward. If the two teams split the two games, both will qualify for the postseason as Wild Card teams, with the Arizona Diamondbacks being eliminated. If either team sweeps the doubleheader, they will make the playoffs, while the team that is swept is eliminated, and the Diamondbacks will get in as well.

Mets Hoping Megill Is Their Man

The New York Mets’ bats finally woke up on Sunday, as they beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 to keep themselves in position to make the postseason today. New York got a gem of a pitching performance in that game from David Peterson and they will hope for the same from Tylor Megill in the Mets vs Braves Game 1. Megill is 4-5 this season with a 4.08 ERA, but he has not lost since July 27 against these same Atlanta Braves.

For Megill and the rest of the Mets, how they deal with pressure will be a huge key to this contest. The Mets are not exactly a team with a storied history of recent success in big games in late September and October. But they are hoping that things will be different this time around, as they need just one win out of two games on Monday to advance to the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Braves Hoping Home-Field Advantage Is Helpful

On Sunday, the Atlanta Braves lost to the Kansas City Royals, a major missed opportunity for them in their hunt for a playoff spot. Atlanta was able to muster just two runs against the Royals pitching staff in that contest, going just 1-9 with runners in scoring position in that contest. If Atlanta wants to make the postseason and avoid a collapse in this double-header, they will need to do better at driving in runs when given the chance to do so in this contest.

On the hill for the Braves in this crucial Monday opener is Spencer Schwellenbach. Schwellenbach is 8-7 on the year with a 3.47 ERA, but he has done some of his best pitching down the stretch of the season. The right-hander has won three straight starts for the Braves, giving up just four earned runs in 19 innings of work over that time frame. That includes a brilliant performance in his last game against the Mets, where he allowed one earned run in seven innings of work.

Mets vs Braves Game 1 Prediction

Our best bet for Mets vs Braves Game 1 is for the Braves to get their work done early at home. Schwellenbach has pitched too well of late to let the Braves down at this stage, while we trust the bats of the Braves a little more in front of their home crowd as well. We will lay the juice and take the Braves on the moneyline, as all the pressure will be on the Mets in Game 2 of this twin-bill.