On June 18, the New York Mets face the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of their series. Last night, the Braves clinched victory with a dramatic 5-4 walk-off thanks to Austin Riley's sacrifice fly. The Mets, who held a 4-1 lead at one point, struggled to close the game. Tonight's pitching matchup features Paul Blackburn (0-0, 6.75 ERA) for the Mets and Chris Sale (4-4, 2.79 ERA) for the Braves. Recent performances show that Sale has struck out 21 hitters in his last two starts, while Blackburn's last outing ended poorly against the Rays. The betting lines currently show the Braves favored at -186, while the Mets sit at +154.

Looking ahead, the Mets have been strong on the road against teams with losing records, winning four of their last five. Additionally, the over has hit in four of the last five Braves matchups against NL East teams. Key players to watch include Juan Soto, who began the series with a solid performance, raising his batting average to .340 in June.

The Washington Nationals (18-26) ended their seven-game losing streak with a dramatic comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves (21-22), triumphing 5-4 thanks to a pivotal seventh and eighth inning. Trevor Williams is set to pitch against AJ Smith-Shawver in today's game at Truist Park, where the Nationals will look to build on their recent success. Williams, with a 5.88 ERA from his last outing, faces a challenge against Smith-Shawver, who has performed solidly with a 2.76 ERA. Betting odds favor the Braves at -225 with a total set at 9 runs.

In fantasy terms, keep an eye on Austin Riley, who’s on a hitting streak with at least one hit in 12 of his last 13 games. Meanwhile, Dylan Crews, who recently found his rhythm with two hits after a slump, could also provide valuable contributions. Bettors should consider the Nationals' recent trend of hitting the Over, despite their previous match landing on the Under. Expert predictions lean towards the Braves winning on the moneyline while suggesting a spread play on the Nationals at +1.5.

On May 5, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds (18-17) are set to face the Atlanta Braves (15-18) at Truist Park, Atlanta. Brady Singer, with a 4-1 record and a solid 3.24 ERA, will pitch for the Reds against AJ Smith-Shawver, who has a 1-2 record and a 4.26 ERA. The Braves recently edged out the Dodgers 4-3, thanks to Austin Riley's impressive two-home-run game, while the Reds suffered a 4-1 defeat against the Nationals, with Tyler Stephenson contributing their only run.

Both teams have shown some trends in their recent performances. The Reds have won 5 of their last 7 away games, while the Braves have struggled against NL teams, going under in 4 of their last 5. For bettors, the latest odds show Cincinnati at +123 on the moneyline and Atlanta at -149, with a spread favoring the Braves by 1.5 runs and a total set at 8.0 runs. Predictive models suggest leaning towards a play on Cincinnati's spread and the over on total runs for this matchup.

The 2025 third base class is rich with potential, featuring elite talents like José Ramírez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, fantasy players must tread carefully beyond these standouts due to various health and performance concerns surrounding other players. Jazz Chisholm Jr. electrified the Yankees last season, but his past injury history raises questions about consistency.

Rafael Devers, a consistent hitter, faced shoulder issues that affected his performance late last season, causing durability worries. Austin Riley's health issues led to a disappointing 2024. The variable future of Royce Lewis also adds uncertainty, as his potential remains tempered by injury. Meanwhile, rising stars like Junior Caminero are enticing yet risky investments.

The Atlanta Braves have sparked debate this offseason due to their inactivity in the free-agent market, despite ranking fourth in luxury tax payments at $276 million.

Top earners like Austin Riley and Matt Olson significantly impact the tax threshold, with Riley's salary accounting for 8.95% of it. The Braves have a mix of homegrown talent and players acquired through trades, indicating a strategic approach to roster construction.

While they haven't signed major free agents, their willingness to spend is evident, as shown by their substantial tax bill. The Braves' financial decisions reflect a balance between investing in talent and managing luxury tax implications.