Atlanta @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2013 ) Atlanta 3, NY Mets 5

The Atlanta Braves maintain a comfortable lead in the National League East and with the division title all but secured, they can begin thinking about their postseason rotation. Rookie Alex Wood takes the mound for Wednesday’s finale of a two-game series in New York against the Mets, hoping to continue his strong August before veteran Paul Maholm is expected to come off the disabled list and start Thursday’s series opener in St. Louis. The Braves have the second-lowest ERA in the majors at 3.20.

The Mets have long since turned their attention toward 2014, but Marlon Byrd has produced plenty of highlights while putting together a surprisingly productive season in right field. Byrd hit one home run last season in 47 games with the Cubs and Red Sox, but belted his career-high 21st homer in Tuesday’s 5-3 victory. Byrd, who turns 36 on Aug. 30, is hitting .287 and could merit consideration for comeback player of the year.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Alex Wood (2-2, 2.61 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jonathon Niese (5-6, 4.25)

Wood has flourished since moving into the Atlanta rotation, going 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA in five starts since July 25. The 22-year-old has shined in August, posting a 0.98 ERA in three starts this month while pitching at least six innings in each outing. Wood made his first major-league start against the Mets during a June 18 doubleheader, allowing one run on two hits in three innings of a 4-3 loss.

Niese, the Mets’ opening-day starter, won both starts since returning from a partially torn left rotator cuff. The 26-year-old walked two and struck out 14 in 12 innings to beat Arizona and San Diego. Niese has struggled in two starts against Atlanta this season, going 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA and 10 runs surrendered in 7 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York leads the season series 8-7.

2. Atlanta LF Justin Upton, who was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup with a left upper back strain, is 3-for-4 against Niese this season with two RBIs.

3. Wood has posted a 0.66 WHIP in 18 1/3 innings in August, allowing nine hits with three walks.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Braves 1