Amazin’s for the (Tai)win

The Mets and Braves meet for the second time in their crucial five-game series on Friday. On the mound for the Mets will be Taijuan Walker (9-2, 2.79 ERA), with the Braves expected to start Ian Anderson (9-6, 4.99 ERA).

Walker has been the Mets’ most consistent pitcher this season. He has allowed more than three earned runs just twice in 18 starts and not since June 7 versus the Padres. Walker has had success against current Braves hitters, holding them to an average of .215 in 51 plate appearances. The Mets are 7-2 in Walker’s last nine starts.

Anderson has given up three runs or fewer in 11 starts, but four or more runs in his other eight. Against the Mets this season, he allowed just five hits and one run over 5 ¹/3 innings in a 9-2 Atlanta win.

This looks like an even game on paper, but I side with the Mets because of the way they are hitting right-handed pitching of late. Heading into Thursday, the Mets were batting just under .300 and averaging 5.63 runs versus righties over its last 10 games. I’ll back the Mets to get a big division win. THE PLAY: Mets, -125. Thomas Casale handicaps MLB for Action Network.