Friday, July 3, 2026 • 7:15 PM
Truist Park • Atlanta, GA
RHP Christian Scott (2-0, 3.20) vs. RHP Grant Holmes (4-4, 3.96)
WPIX

The 2026 season has felt like series of one step forward, two steps backward moments. The Mets beat the Blue Jays 3-0 on Tuesday thanks to a pair of solo home runs and solid pitching. The next day, the Mets completely imploded behind Freddy Peralta. Now, they head to Atlanta for a four-game set. Both the Mets and the Braves have lost eight of their last ten games. The Mets are 15 games below .500 while the Braves are 15 games above, and are feeling the pressure from the Phillies right behind them. The Braves will be highly motivated to get a four-game sweep of the Mets this weekend. The Mets are just trying to survive right now.

Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

  1. A.J. Ewing – CF
  2. Juan Soto – LF
  3. Bo Bichette – 3B
  4. Francisco Lindor – SS
  5. Carson Benge – RF
  6. Jared Young – 1B
  7. Francisco Alvarez – DH
  8. Brett Baty – 2B
  9. Luis Torrens – C

Starting Pitcher: Christian Scott

Scott has made 10 starts this season totaling 45 innings with a 3.20 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.333 WHIP and a 130 ERA+. His last start was his first since returning from the injured list, and he allowed two runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings while striking out six against the Phillies. It was his second consecutive start striking out at least six batters, but also his second consecutive start allowing at least one home run.

The Braves have the following career stats against Scott:

Opposing Lineup

  1. Drake Baldwin – C
  2. Ozzie Albies – 2B
  3. Matt Olson – 1B
  4. Mauricio Dubón – LF
  5. Michael Harris II – CF
  6. Dominic Smith – DH
  7. Austin Riley – 3B
  8. Mike Yastrzemski – RF
  9. Jorge Mateo – SS

Grant Holmes has pitched in 16 games this season totaling 77 1/3 innings with a 3.96 ERA, 5.19 FIP, 1.358 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. In his last two starts, he has allowed one run over 8 2/3 innings on four hits and five walks while striking out eight. In his two starts before that, he allowed six runs on eight hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings while striking out four.

The Mets have the following career stats against Holmes:

Game Notes

  • Ewing is leading off for the first time in his major league career.
  • Benge, meanwhile won’t bat in the top spot in the lineup for the first time since May 10.
  • Scott is making the first start of his career at Truist Park, with his only prior outing against the Braves coming at Citi Field on May 11, 2024. He gave up three earned runs with eight strikeouts over six innings.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Carson Benge. Benge is coming off of a 2-for-4 afternoon on Wednesday with a solo home run, his 10th of the season. He now has a 1.5 bWAR with a 100 OPS+ for the season to go with 11 stolen bases. The power has really started to come out over the last month. Since June 2, he has slashed .281/.328/.491 with two doubles, two triples and six home runs. His xwOBA has been above the league average for his last 100 PA’s. Things are bleak for the Mets right now, but it’s not because of Benge.
  2. Hitting with RISP. The Mets really struggled across the board on Wednesday. They only had one at-bat with RISP and went hitless. In their last four games, they’ve now gone 2-for-33 with RISP. The power is there for the Mets, who have launched four home runs in their last two games, but they’re just not doing it with a lot of runners on base.
  3. Michael Harris II Fan Club. English football fans invaded Truist Park earlier this week and adopted Harris II as their favorite player. Maybe the Braves fans will have learned a few things from the English fans? Listen for chants like “There’s only one Michael Harris” which is quite funny considering he’s Michael Harris II and his son is Michael “Trip” Harris III.

Let’s go Mets!