The New York Mets came out of the gate sizzling to open the season by sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals three straight followed by an 11-1 thumping of the Atlanta Braves on Friday night (April 6). In the last 18 innings, the Mets have outscored their opposition 21-1. On Saturday, the Mets will try to keep their hot streak going by sending veteran Tom Glavine to the mound to face former Braves teammate John Smoltz in the second game of the series at Turner Field in Atlanta.
Oddsmakers like the Braves and veteran hurler Smoltz having installed them the money line (ml) favorite on the -130. If the Mets can keep their streak going their +120 ML juice could be a good value. The Mets are favored on the run line -220 as compared to +175 on the Braves. If both Smoltz and Glavine both find their groove early, the 8 ½ run total could go UNDER. However, stopping the Mets hot bats could be a tall order for Smoltz.
The betting public think Atlanta and Smoltz will win today and backing it up with 69 per cent of the action. The UNDER is the favorite bet on the 8 ½ run total.
The Mets have gone 4-0 SU on the new season and backers have cashed in four straight games betting the run line. The OVER/UNDER have split in totals wagering in all four Mets and Braves games played this season.
Glavine and Smoltz, both good friends, face each other for the second time since Glavine left the Braves after the 2002 season. Glavine is 3-9 with a 5.68 ERA in 15 career starts against his former club. He was 1-1 with a 3.32 ERA in three starts against Atlanta last year.
Prior to the series with New York, the Braves swept their three game series with the Phillies in Philadelphia. Smoltz started the season opener against the Phillies going seven innings but did not get the decision in the 5-3 Atlanta win.
