Braves' opponent: New York Mets
Keep an eye on: The Mets' rotation. The Braves won't see Matt Harvey this series because they are backing off him in the final few weeks of the season amid the controversy over whether he would pitch past 180 innings coming off Tommy John surgery. The Braves miss Jacob deGrom too, who was scheduled for the series finale Wednesday against the Nationals. The Braves get Noah Syndergaard on 12 days' rest Saturday too, since the Mets skipped him, trying to limit his innings too. That leaves Bartolo Colon, who has own the Braves in his career (7-2 with 2.53 ERA) and left-handers Jonathan Niese and Steven Matz, another young phenom.
Who's hot: Yoenis Cespedes had five home runs in his previous seven games entering Wednesday night. He was hitting .424 (14-for-33) with three doubles, two triples and 11 RBIs as well over that span.
Who's not: Daniel Murphy was hitting .133 (2-for-15) for the month of September entering Wednesday.
Braves connection: Kelly Johnson is hitting .245 with five doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs in 31 games since the Braves traded him to the Mets on July 24. Juan Uribe, the other piece in that trade for minor league pitchers John Gant and Robert Whalen, is hitting .200 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 35 games for the Mets. Former Braves' 2011 first round draft pick Sean Gilmartin has a 2.56 ERA in 43 relief appearances for the Mets. Former Brave Buddy Carlyle is out for the season following hip surgery.
In the news: David Wright was hitting .308 (16-for-52) through Tuesday with 13 runs scored in 12 games since he returned from the disabled list and a spinal stenosis diagnosis.
