Today's Pick: ATL (-150) over NYM

A five game Pickstreak came to an end last night.  A 2.97 unit loss that has me reeling a bit.  Riding a winning streak is both comforting and stressful.  You have to love the challenge of getting back on your feet and putting together another winning streak.  You have to love the challenge of finishing the season putting in your best effort everyday.  If you don't, the losses will eat you up and you won't last long in this game.

Spencer Strider (2-5) starts for the Braves.  Strider makes his eighth start of the season since returning to the Braves rotation after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April of 2024.  The velocity on his fastball is down and opponents have made better contact off him compared to his 2023 season but he is still sitting 95 mph and his slider has been effective.  Strider relies heavily on the two pitch mix and has racked up 21 K's over his last two starts, eight against the Mets last week in a 6.0 inning outing in which he only allowed one earned run.

Frankie Montas makes his first start of the 2025 season for a Mets' team that is without both Tylor MeGill and Kodai Sengai.  The injuries, and rookie Blade Tidwell's inability to get outs in the his first two MLB starts, have forced New York to call up Montas who hasn't pitched well in his rehab assignment.  In six minor league starts this season, Montas has posted a 12.05 ERA while allowing 30 hits and 8 homers in just 18.2IP.  He has only struck out ten hitters and has walked eight.  Montas suffered a lat strain back in the spring but has a long history of shoulder injuries. He doesn't look to be ready but with the Mets short of starters he'll get the ball today.

New York hasn't played well in June and have a 1-9 record over their last ten games.  They sent down both Luis Angel Acuna and Francisco Alvarez and are still without third baseman Mark Vientos.  Their bullpen still lacks left-handed pitching and today they'll likely be without three of their best right-handed relievers.  Edwin Diaz, Reed Garrett and Ryne Stanek all pitched in yesterday's loss.

The Braves are fully healthy.  Ronald Acuna Jr. has been crushing the ball and has posted a .396/.500/.716 slash line since returning from an ACL injury that cost him all of the 2024 season.  Atlanta has four of their best relievers available with two days rest.  

I like the pitching matchup.  Montas is a liability and the Braves have the edge in the bullpen. Strider is going to let it rip in a division game and a rivalry series that could be a significant turning point in the season for both clubs.  With one unit in play, I'm taking Atlanta to win.

Today's Pick:  ATL (-150) over NYM
Units in Play:  1.0
Units Wagered:  1.0
Ticket Pays:  1.67 units (+0.67 units)
Current Streak: 1
Longest Streak:  6

Total Units Wagered (Season):  69.36 units
Current Bank Balance:  27 units
Beginning Bank Balance:  40 units
Total Units Raked (season):  18 units
Profit / Loss (season):  +5.0 units
Overall Record:  30-12



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