MLB LOOK AHEAD

Mets try to avoid sweep against Braves

Field Level Media

August 15, 2019 at 6:10 am.

New York right-hander Marcus Stroman will face the Braves on Thursday for the first time since he joined the Mets at the trade deadline. His new team is hopeful he will carry over the same sort of success against Atlanta that he enjoyed while a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Stroman (6-11, 3.20 ERA) will be opposed by veteran Braves right-hander Julio Teheran (7-7, 3.35) in the finale of a three-game series at Atlanta’s SunTrust Park. The Braves have won the first two games.

Stroman made two previous career starts against the Braves and was impressive in both. He is 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA against Atlanta, allowing only one run on 13 hits with 11 strikeouts over 12 2/3 innings. He threw 5 2/3 shutout innings against the Braves in 2017 and gave up one run over seven innings in 2018.

Stroman has made two starts with the Mets since coming over in a July 28 trade. He does not have a decision and has allowed seven runs in 10 1/3 innings. He struck out nine over six-plus innings in his latest start against the Washington Nationals on Friday, but allowed four runs in a game the Mets eventually won 7-6.

Teheran has been pitching at a high level for most of the season, but he has been especially dialed in over his past seven starts — all in July and August. During that span, he is 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA.

In his latest outing on Friday, Teheran gave up one run and struck out seven in seven innings in an 8-4 win at Miami.

Teheran has faced the Mets more than any opponent in his career. In 28 appearances (27 starts), the Colombian is 10-8 with a 2.68 ERA against New York.

He is 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA three starts against New York this season. His last appearance against the Mets on June 29 was shortened to 3 1/3 innings because of a rain delay. The other two starts were polar opposites: He allowed six runs in four innings on June 18 and gave up one run in six innings on April 14.

Both teams are dealing with injury issues.

The Mets lost second baseman Jeff McNeil to a left hamstring ailment on Tuesday that required him to be placed on the 10-day injured list. He was hurt while trying to beat out a ground ball in the ninth inning. McNeil is batting .332, which ranks third in the majors.

“It sucks,” McNeil said. “The team’s playing well. I want to contribute. Hopefully, this is something real short and I can get back on the field.”

McNeil strained the same hamstring earlier this season and spent two weeks on the injured list.

The Braves learned that shortstop Dansby Swanson will need more time to recover from a right heel injury that has already kept him out for three weeks.

“It’s a frustrating injury,” Swanson said. “It’s kind of impossible to avoid because you’ve got to walk. I’m doing everything I can to get back and be ready.”

The Braves said rookie slugger Austin Riley will not require surgery to repair a partially torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. Riley hopes to be playing minor league rehab games within two weeks.

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