This matchup pits a battle of lefty starters, Steven Matz versus Dallas Keuchel.

I want Keuchel and the Braves going for me. Atlanta is 17-10 versus southpaw starters, including winning 11 of the last 16 times when drawing a lefthanded starter.

The Mets have a losing record when going up against a lefty starter.

Keuchel won't lack motivation coming off his worst as a Brave. He was racked for eight runs on 10 hits in only 3 2/3 innings this past Thursday against the Marlins in Miami. The prideful Keuchel is much better than that. He has made four home starts for the Braves and has a 2.96 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in those games. The Mets have never faced him.

New York also is likely to be without second baseman Jeff McNeil, the second-leading hitter in the NL. McNeil suffered a leg injury on Tuesday night.

Matz has a 6.23 ERA in three starts against the Braves this year The Mets have lost five of Matz's last six away starts.