The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves play the second game of their series after a terrific first game of their series. It looked like the Mets offense would disappoint once again, but a 4-run seventh gave them enough to win 4-3. The second game is scheduled for a usual 7:20 p.m. ET start from Truist Park.
Tonight's starting nine. #LGM pic.twitter.com/M4SNb5ayIn
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 30, 2021
Kevin Pillar gets the opportunity to bat leadoff with Jeff McNeil getting a night off. It is Pillar’s first time batting leadoff since the beginning of the month and is 1-for-18 as the number one-hitter this season. He is in the middle of a small hot streak with two home runs in his last four games. Surprisingly, Pillar is hitting just .190 against left-handed pitching after crushing them over the two prior seasons.
To beat the Atlanta Braves, pitching has to contain Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman. They have done a great job against both, holding Acuna to a .167 average and Freeman to a .393 slugging percentage. Freeman did record five hits against the Mets earlier this season but only has one extra-base hit against them.
Pitching Matchup
David Peterson looks to continue his mini hot streak as he takes the mound for the Mets. In his last three starts, he has thrown 16.2 innings, holding opponents to two runs and a .115 batting average. With a very packed schedule coming up as the All-Star break approaches, they will need Peterson to continue pitching successfully.
Max Fried makes his first start off the IL after dealing with a blister on his index finger. Fried was in a terrific groove after lackluster April in which he had an ERA over ten. In the last two months, Fried has a 2.51 ERA and has allowed just three home runs. He pitched six innings in his start against the Mets in May, allowing one run and striking out eight.
Matchups To Lookout For
David Peterson vs. Austin Riley: 3-for-6 (.500), 3 Doubles, 3 Strikeouts
Max Fried vs. Pete Alonso: 2-for-15 (.133), Home Run, 3 Walks, 6 Strikeouts
Max Fried vs. Michael Conforto: 2-for-17 (.118), Double, 3 Walks, 8 Strikeouts