The Mets appear to be in free-fall mode, and a visit from the first-place Braves isn't likely to spark a turnaround. New York has Cy oung winner Jacob deGrom on the mound, but he has suffered from poor run support, particularly at home. Mike Soroka of Atlanta is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in three career starts against the Mets. There's just too much value on Atlanta, which at 18-7 has the best record in the majors this month, too pass up on Friday.

The Mets have continued to get in their own way with late-inning blunders to produce losses. A positive for the Mets is that they now return home after a lengthy three-series, 11-game road trip. Their opponent will be the red-hot Braves, whom they faced to begin the trip. On June 18 against Atlanta, Mets starter Jacob deGrom gave up two runs in 8.1 innings in a New York victory. Grab the Mets to begin their home stand with a win.

The Mets are in a freefall, losing five straight games. The bullpen alone has blown the last three. So even if Jacob deGrom reverts to his Cy Young form (a big if), I'm not betting that the bullpen will be able to close it out. All reports say that Braves starter Mike Soroka (8-1, 2.07 ERA) is fine after being hit in the forearm with a pitch. Give me the NL East leaders getting plus money.