NEXT: AT NEW YORK METS
Monday
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: SPSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Shelby Miller (5-15, 3.00 ERA) vs. LH Jonathon Niese (8-10, 4.31)
Comment: Miller's poor luck has given way to poor performance lately. He is 0-6 with a 5.56 ERA in his past six starts to extend his winless streak to 22 starts dating back to May 17. His ERA is 3.00 for the first time all season. He had a quality start against the Mets (three runs in six innings) on Sept. 10 and took a 7-2 loss. Niese will be pitching on seven days' rest as the Mets' focus has been resting and reinserting Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard into the rotation. Niese got back on track against the Braves Sept. 13 after three rough starts, holding them to three runs (two earned) in six innings of a 10-7 Mets win.
The Braves take their last trip of the season with three-game series in New York and Miami, having gone 4-22 on the road since the All-Star break. The Braves haven’t played in New York since mid-June and are 3-6 in Citi Field this season. Overall the Braves are 6-10 against the NL East-leading Mets, who swept four games at Turner Field on Sept. 10-13. Christian Bethancourt celebrates his 24th birthday Monday but might not be in the lineup after leaving Sunday’s game with an injured hand. He was replaced in the top of the ninth. Andrelton Simmons has hit .458 (27-for-59) with five doubles, one triple and nine RBIs in 16 games against the Mets this season.
Tuesday
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: SPSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Matt Wisler (5-8, 5.63) vs. RH Bartolo Colon (14-12, 4.15) or RH Logan Verrett (1-0, 1.91)
Comment: Matt Wisler has pitched more effectively over his past three outings, allowing six runs in 14 innings (3.86 ERA), including two innings of scoreless relief Sept. 6 in Washington. He found a comfort level his last start against Toronto pitching out of the stretch but still allowed home runs by Edwin Encarnacion and Cliff Pennington in a span of five batters. Colon is 8-2 with a 2.55 ERA in 10 starts against the Braves for his career, including 4-0 with a 3.51 ERA this season. Either he or Verrett will start this game.
Wednesday
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: SPSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Williams Perez (6-6, 5.16) vs. RH Bartolo Colon (14-12, 4.15) or RH Logan Verrett (1-0, 1.91)
Comment: Perez came one out shy of making his third straight quality start his last time out against the Phillies. He is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA (six earned runs in 18 2/3 innings) in that span. That includes six innings with three runs allowed in a no-decision in a 6-4 loss to the Mets on Sept. 12 at Turner Field. Verrett is filling in for Jacob deGrom, whom the Mets have elected to skip (and rest) after he posted a 6.41 ERA in his past five starts. Verrett has allowed just two runs in 13 innings while pitching twice in place of Matt Harvey.
— Carroll Rogers Walton
UPCOMING
Thursday: Off.
Friday: at Marlins, 7:10 p.m.
Saturday: at Marlins, 4:10 p.m.
Sunday: at Marlins, 1:10 p.m.
Monday: Off.
