MLB picks: Mets vs. Braves, Indians vs. Rangers

Let’s take a look at a pair of games on this final Friday of the MLB regular season!

We’ll start by highlighting an NL East battle between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Then we’ll segue to the series opener between the Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers.

New York Mets (76-83) at Atlanta Braves (86-72), 7:20 p.m. ET

The Mets were picked by many to win the NL East this year. Instead, they were eliminated from the playoffs last week, and face the team that just clinched their fourth straight division title in the Braves. But New York could obtain a degree of satisfaction when they face Atlanta’s “hangover” lineup at Truist Park on Friday night.

Tylor Megill gets the nod for the Mets, and he’s produced a solid 3.68 ERA and 1.227 WHIP over three starts against the Braves this season (14 2/3 innings). He’s unlikely to get Atlanta’s best effort in this one, as the Braves no longer have anything to play for until the postseason begins.

Behind Megill is a Mets bullpen that’s produced a 2.49 ERA over the last two weeks, good for second in the majors in that span.

Huascar Ynoa counters for Atlanta, and he authored a 6.75 ERA through five September starts. He’ll have to watch out for Javier Baez, who hit .361 in September with five homers and 14 RBI.

MLB pick: Mets +118

Cleveland Indians (78-81) at Texas Rangers (59-100), 8:05 p.m. ET

The Indians will need a clean sweep of their final series of the year to avoid a losing season. They should take a step in that direction against the 100-loss Rangers on Friday night.

Eli Morgan will toe the rubber for Cleveland, and he’s allowed just one earned run over his last 12 innings of work. He faced no slouches either, taking on the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox lineups in that span. Morgan has pitched remarkably well on the road in 2021, going 2-1 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.009 WHIP.

Spencer Howard counters for Texas, and he’s struggled with consistency on the way to an 0-4 record and 7.04 ERA this year. His home ERA of 9.47 over 19 innings is particularly concerning. He’ll have to pitch carefully to Jose Ramirez, who’s batting .333 over the last 15 days with three homers and 10 RBI.

The Indians would appear to have the edge in the bullpen battle too; they’re sixth by ERA on the year (3.63), while the Rangers rank 18th (4.16).

MLB pick: Indians -129