New York @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 19, 2013 ) NY Mets 3, Atlanta 5

When Mike Minor takes the mound, the Atlanta Braves usually win even if the left-hander does not land in the victory column. Minor, who pitches the finale of Atlanta’s five-game series with the New York Mets on Thursday, is 5-0 with a 2.44 ERA in nine starts since the beginning of May. Minor’s emergence is one key reason behind the Braves’ seven-game lead in the National League East.

The Mets play the fifth game of a four-city, 11-game road trip Thursday before heading to Philadelphia. New York has lost 12 of its past 17 games, and even milestones are not working out for the Mets. Third baseman David Wright thought he had recorded his 1,500th career hit in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s doubleheader nightcap, only to find out a scoring change last week in St. Louis meant his hit actually was No. 1,501.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jonathon Niese (3-6, 4.15 ERA) vs. Atlanta LH Mike Minor (8-2, 2.68).

Niese has shaved his ERA from 5.40 to 4.15 in his past four starts, but is 0-2 in that stretch despite allowing five earned runs in 25 1/3 innings. He lost to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, walking four hitters and allowing two earned runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. Niese fell to the Braves on May 5 in Atlanta, yielding seven earned runs with six walks in four innings.

Minor continued his breakthrough season against San Francisco on Saturday, allowing four earned runs in six innings but working out of trouble to keep the Braves within striking distance. The left-hander has been one of baseball’s top pitchers since last season's All-Star break, going 14-6 with a 2.43 ERA. Minor has a win and a no-decision in two starts against New York this season, posting a 1.88 ERA with 14 strikeouts and two walks in 14 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York P Zack Wheeler, who beat Atlanta in his major-league debut Tuesday, rejoined Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. He is expected to return to the majors next week.

2. Atlanta CF B.J. Upton had two hits Wednesday, improving his batting average to a season-high .173.

3. Atlanta LHP Alex Wood, who moved from the bullpen to start the opener of Tuesday’s doubleheader, will be available for relief work this weekend.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Mets 2