Atlanta @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2018 ) Atlanta 2, NY Mets 1

He does not turn 21 years old until December, but Ronald Acuna continues to show why he is one of the top prospects in recent memory as he leads the Atlanta Braves into the third matchup of a four-game road series Saturday at the New York Mets. Acuna recorded his third-consecutive multi-hit contest in Friday’s 2-1 victory, and during his four-game hitting streak the speedy outfielder is 8-for-16 with four extra-base hits (including two homers) and five runs scored.

The Braves are in a pennant race for the first time in five years thanks in part to an influx of young talent, including 24-year-old third baseman Johan Camargo who - in his second big-league season - has belted nine homers in a 48-game span since June 2 after launching a solo shot to open the scoring Friday. While Atlanta has matched a season high with its fifth consecutive victory, the Mets are reeling again after losing four in a row and falling to 19-42 in its past 61 games. The Mets, who began the day hitting a major-league worst .228 as a team, recorded just two hits Friday and have scored only six runs on 14 hits in three games so far this month. Shortstop Amed Rosario doubled and scored a run in Friday’s loss and has one hit in each of his past two games following a 0-for-19 skid.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kevin Gausman (5-8, 4.43 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (5-6, 4.11)

Gausman makes his Braves debut after being acquired from Baltimore at Tuesday’s trade deadline, ending a six-year stay with the Orioles during which he posted a 4.22 ERA in 150 career appearances. The 27-year-old, the fourth-overall pick in the 2012 draft, made 21 starts with Baltimore this season and pitched at least 179 2/3 innings in his previous two years. Gausman won his final start with the Orioles on Saturday, giving up two runs on nine hits over seven innings against Tampa Bay.

Wheeler’s ERA sat at 5.92 after his first seven starts of the season but he has provided the Mets with steady work since, holding opponents to a .234 batting average while going 3-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 13 outings. The 28-year-old, who was rumored to be on the move at the trade deadline, shut out Pittsburgh across six innings Sunday with seven strikeouts. Wheeler lost his only start against Atlanta this season on June 12, surrendering six runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York LHP Steven Matz, scheduled to start Sunday, landed on the disabled list with a left forearm strain.

2. Acuna is hitting .286 with six homers and 17 runs scored in 26 games since returning from a knee injury June 29.

3. Mets INF-OF Jose Bautista, who started at first base Friday, finished 0-for-3 and is hitless in his past 18 at-bats.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Mets 2