New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) is greeted in the dugout after hitting a two run home run in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y., Aug. 13.

The Atlanta Braves (52-68) face the New York Mets (64-56) in the finale of a 3-game set Thursday. First pitch from Citi Field in Queens is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Braves vs. Mets odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Braves lead 6-3

The Braves evened the series at 1 with an 11-6 winner Wednesday. DH Marcell Ozuna went 2-for-4 with his 20th homer of the season and 3 RBIs. The Braves pounded out 11 runs on just 8 hits. They've now won 4 of 5.

The Mets have lost 8 of 9 and are clinging to a 1-game lead in the Wild Card race. OF Juan Soto hit his 29th homer of the season Wednesday. The Mets have scored 6+ runs in 3 straight. The problem, though, is they've allowed 23 runs in the process.

Braves at Mets projected starters

RHP Bryce Elder vs. RHP Kodai Senga

Elder (4-9, 6.12 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.56 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 over 100 innings.

  • Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 5-1 home loss against Miami Marlins Friday
  • 3 career starts vs. Mets: 2-0, 3.78 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 17 K in 16 IP

Senga (7-4, 2.30 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 through 94 innings.

  • Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER (3 R), 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K in 3-2 loss at Milwaukee Brewers Friday
  • 2 career starts vs. Braves: 2-0, 3.97 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 16 K in 11 1/3 IP

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Braves at Mets odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:31 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Braves +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Mets -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves +1.5 (-135) | Mets -1.5 (+110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -102 | U: -118)

Braves at Mets picks and predictions

Prediction

Mets 6, Braves 5

Moneyline

I like the Mets here, but putting -190 juice on them to win is crazy.

Instead, give me BRYCE ELDER OVER 5.5 HITS ALLOWED (-145). He has allowed 6+ hits in 6 of 7 starts. The Mets see him well, too. SS Francisco Lindor is 4-for-7 (.571), 1B Pete Alonso is 3-for-8 (.375) and Soto is 2-for-3 (.667) off Elder.

Run line/Against the spread

I don't like the RL either. PASS.

Over/Under

It's slated to be 82 degrees with a 6-mph breeze blowing out to left-center. The Over has cashed in 4 of 5 matchups, and both teams are 7-3 O/U in their last 10. That's enough for me to go OVER 9 (-102).

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Atlanta Braves at New York Mets odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Ryan Dodson, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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