Players To Watch
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Mets' Francisco Alvarez Poised to Lead Charge Against Braves at Citi Field

First Inning


As the Mets prepare to host the Braves at Citi Field, all eyes will be on Francisco Alvarez, the standout catcher who has been a beacon of consistency and power for the Amazins. Over the last three games, Alvarez has demonstrated his prowess with a batting average of .400 and an OPS of 1.4. His performance on June 21 against the Phillies was particularly impressive, where he scored two runs and managed two hits in five at-bats. This level of performance makes him one of the top 3 players to watch Mets as they face off against their division rivals.


Sep 24, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) hits a single against the New York Mets in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Second Inning


The Braves are not without their own stars, with Ronald Acuña Jr. being a key player to watch. Acuña's recent form has been stellar, boasting a .667 average and an OPS of 1.8 in his last outing against the Marlins on June 21. His ability to get on base and drive in runs will be crucial for the Bravos as they look to challenge the Mets' pitching staff.


Third Inning


On the mound, Mets' pitcher Griffin Canning has shown resilience despite some challenges. With an ERA of 5.4 over his recent games, Canning secured a win against Philadelphia by keeping hitters at bay with a WHIP of 1.6 and striking out batters at a rate of 7.2 per nine innings. His ability to control pitches will be vital in containing Atlanta's offensive threats like Matt Olson and Austin Riley.


Sep 24, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Ramon Laureano (18) and center fielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrate after a victory over the New York Mets at Truist Park as mascot Blooper looks on. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Fourth Inning


Braves' pitching ace Dylan Dodd has been nothing short of exceptional with an ERA of 0.0 across his appearances, maintaining a WHIP of just 1.2 while striking out batters efficiently at 5.4 K/9 innings during his last game against Miami on June 22. Dodd's precision could pose significant challenges for Mets hitters like Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo.


Fifth Inning


Speaking of Nimmo, his recent form is noteworthy as well; he holds an average of .500 with an OPS of over 2 in one game against Philadelphia on June 21 where he also drove in two runs with four at-bats—a testament to why he's among Mets top playmakers this season.


Jul 28, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sixth Inning


In terms of defense, defenders to watch in Mets include Francisco Lindor who maintains perfect fielding percentages across all three games played recently—an essential asset when facing aggressive base runners like Ozzie Albies from Atlanta who himself shows consistent hitting averages around .500.


Seventh Inning


As we anticipate this exciting matchup between these two powerhouse teams, player battles in Mets vs Braves are expected to be fierce throughout each inning—from strategic pitching duels between starters like Canning versus Dodd down through critical batting moments involving heavy hitters such as Alvarez or Acuña Jr., making every pitch count towards securing victory under pressure-packed conditions typical within MLB rivalries today!


Fans can catch all this action live when it unfolds at Citi Field on June 24th at 7:10 PM ET broadcasted via TBS network—don’t miss out! Share your thoughts about which team you believe will emerge victorious after reading our analysis here!

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