New York @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2010 ) NY Mets 3, Atlanta 8
In a race that seems destined to be decided on the final weekend of the regular season, the Atlanta Braves have proven their ability to prevail late in contests.
Riding the crest of their 23rd victory in their final at-bat - the most in the majors - the NL East leaders begin a four-game series with the New York Mets on Monday at Turner Field.
Atlanta's most recent round of dramatics came on Sunday as the Braves rallied from five runs down in the eighth inning for a 7-6 victory over the Florida Marlins.
Pinch hitter Matt Diaz's two-run home run in the ninth tied the game, and Brian McCann was awarded a game-winning solo shot after a video review determined his blast off closer Leo Nunez cleared the right-field fence before bouncing back onto the field.
So the Braves bring a bit of momentum - and a two-game division lead over the Philadelphia Philies - into a four-game set that will decide the season series against the Mets.
The Mets have won six of 11 between the division rivals this season, but the Braves have won three of the five meetings at Turner Field, where Atlanta boasts a major-league best 46-18 record.
The Braves have not lost a home series since dropping two of three to Philadelphia from April 20-22. The Mets, meanwhile, have struggled to a 26-40 mark on the road. New York is 8-16 on the road since the All-Star break.
It won't be easy for New York on Monday against 24-year-old right-hander Jair Jurrjens (5-4, 4.36 ERA), who has been dominant at Turner Field. Jurrjens is 5-0 with a 1.81 ERA in seven home starts this season.
Jurrjens has won his last two decisions, but his strong August took a bad turn on Wednesday at the Colorado Rockies. The hurler allowed seven runs over 5 1/3 innings in this one. In his four previous starts this month, Jurrjens was 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA.
The Mets beat Jurrjens on April 24 in New York, as he allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings in a 3-1 loss. The setback snapped a streak of four consecutive wins Jurrjens had posted against New York. He is 6-2 with a 2.62 ERA in nine starts against the Mets.
Only one Mets player with more than two at-bats against Jurrjens has hit over .300 against him. Second baseman Luis Castillo is that player, as he is 5-for-16 (.313) against the hurler.
New York's scheduled starter is 29-year-old left-hander Pat Misch (0-3, 3.50 ERA), who will make his fourth start since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 14. He is still looking for his first win despite posting quality starts in each of his previous outings.
The Mets haven't done much to help out Misch, averaging only two runs in his three starts and making five errors behind him.
Misch is 0-2 with a 10.22 ERA in six appearances - two starts - against Atlanta.