Braves at Mets
The division-leading Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are far apart in the National League East, but they have one thing in common entering this weekend's three-game series at Citi Field. While both teams are coming off crushing defeats Thursday, the Mets are in dire straits as they attempt to halt a five-game slide behind Jacob deGrom in Friday's series opener.
Atlanta appeared on its way to its fifth win in six games, only to cough up a five-run lead in a 9-7 defeat to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday -- its fifth loss in 15 contests. All-Star Freddie Freeman, who was 5-for-12 with a pair of homers in a three-game set versus New York earlier this month, had a two-run shot Thursday to give him 20 RBIs in the past 15 games. The reeling Mets are coming off a demoralizing four-game sweep by Philadelphia, blowing a lead of multiple runs in each of the losses. “This one stings the worst because it just happened,” manager Mickey Callaway said after his team suffered its major league-worst 20th blown save when the Phillies scored five runs in the ninth of Thursday's 6-3 victory.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network; FS South (Atlanta), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Soroka (8-1, 2.07 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (4-6, 3.25)
Unbeaten since his season debut on April 18, Soroka and the Braves received a scare when he was hit in the right forearm by a pitch and had to exit Sunday's start at Washington after tossing two scoreless innings. The Canadian rookie beat the Mets in his previous turn, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings to win his eighth consecutive decision. Slumping Robinson Cano homered off Soroka, who has been spectacular on the road with a 4-0 record and 1.07 ERA in seven starts.
Despite allowing two runs or fewer for the seventh consecutive start, deGrom had to settle for a no-decision at the Cubs on Sunday after he gave up a pair of runs on eight hits over six innings. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner dominated the Braves in his previous start, striking out 10 and giving up a pair of solo homers over 8 1/3 innings to avenge a loss in Atlanta on April 14. Josh Donaldson has fared well in a small sample size against deGrom, going 3-for-6 with two homers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets RH Edwin Diaz blew his fourth save Thursday, matching his total for all of last season.
2. Braves SS Dansby Swanson has eight RBIs in his last six games.
3. Mets 3B Todd Frazier has 10 RBIs in 10 games after swatting a two-run homer Thursday.