The set-up: The New York Mets' 11-1 start to the 2018 season is squarely in the 'rearview mirror,' these days. New York saw its bullpen give up 17 runs on 21 hits over 10 2/3 innings while losing three in a row at Milwaukee, not exactly the best way to enter Monday's day-night doubleheader at the Atlanta Braves. The rough weekend dropped the Mets to just one game above .500 (25-24) and four behind the National League East-leading 31-20 Braves coming into a four-game series. To add insult to injury, the Mets are struggling to keep players on the field. Reliever A.J. Ramos returned to New York for a MRI on his right shoulder Sunday while infielder Wilmer Flores experienced back soreness in Sunday's 8-7 loss and also is heading home for further examination. Atlanta also has some injury concerns, as 20-year-old phenom Ronald Acuna left Sunday's 7-1 victory at Boston after hitting first base awkwardly in beating out an infield single in the seventh inning. He was able to walk off the field under his own power after staying down for several minutes with what the Braves termed, "knee and lower back pain," and reportedly was undergoing testing at a Boston hospital after the game. Acuna's injury marred an otherwise outstanding day for Atlanta as it salvaged a 2-4 road trip by pounding Red Sox ace Chris Sale for six runs across 4 1/3 innings, getting four hits and four RBIs from the duo of Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki.

The pitching matchup: Jacob deGrom (4-0, 1.54 ERA) will get the Game 1 start for New York, opposed by Atlanta's Max Fried (0-2, 6.00 ERA). It has been a stellar two months for deGrom, who leads the NL in ERA and HRs per nine innings (0.3) while ranking second in strikeouts per nine innings (11.9). He has surrendered only one run in his past 33 1/3 innings with 47 strikeouts, matching his career high with 13 Ks in seven innings against Arizona on May 18. DeGrom has not allowed a run in two starts against the Braves this season, striking out 16 and giving up six hits in 11 innings. However, both were no-decisions that the Mets lost. Yes. he's 4-0, but the Mets are just 5-5 in his 10 starts in 2018. Atlanta is calling up the 24-year-old Fried for his first start of the season and his fifth major-league starting assignment. He has appeared in four games in the majors this season, all in relief, giving up four runs on five hits over six innings with seven strikeouts, suffering a pair of losses. Fried posted a 3.44 ERA while going 1-1 in four starts in 2017 and is Atlanta's No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He is 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA in five minor-league starts this season.

The pick: Atlanta has won five of six meetings against the Mets this season and swept a three-game series in New York in early May. This day-night doubleheader is scheduled to make up an April 22 rainout. However, I have to like deGrom over Fried in this one. Make the Mets an 8* play.