The Atlanta Braves have reinstated Drake Baldwin and Alex Verdugo to their lineup as they prepare to face the New York Mets and pitcher Frankie Montas. This adjustment brings Verdugo back into the mix, which has sparked interest given his past performance metrics. The Braves hope these changes will strengthen their chances against the Mets during this matchup.

Analyzing Verdugo’s Performance Against Montas

Although there is limited history between the Braves hitters and Frankie Montas, Verdugo stands out with the most plate appearances—12 in total—against him among Braves players. He holds a notable .592 weighted on-base average (wOBA) in those encounters. However, his expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) for that sample is only .265, highlighting some inconsistency in the outcomes. Other regulars like Matt Olson and Austin Riley have minimal or favorable experience versus Montas, while Marcell Ozuna has shown struggles in a small number of plate appearances.

Mets’ Lineup Adjustments and Previous Matchups

The Mets are fielding a lineup similar to the one faced by Spencer Strider in last week’s Atlanta game, swapping out Tyrone Taylor and Francisco Alvarez for Brett Baty and Luis Torrens. Jeff McNeil has been shifted to center field to accommodate Baty and Ronny Mauricio in the infield positions. Notably, six Mets hitters have accumulated at least ten plate appearances against Strider, including Brandon Nimmo, who has been particularly effective with a .623 wOBA and .397 xwOBA across 22 at-bats. Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto also boast strong numbers against Strider, with Baty and Mauricio showing promising results in limited opportunities. McNeil appears to be the only hitter struggling against Strider’s pitching.

Implications of Matchups for the Upcoming Games

This series will test how the Braves’ reintegrated lineup performs against Montas, who has proven difficult for some bats while others remain untested or have had mixed success. For the Mets, the consistent production from players familiar with Strider’s pitching suggests they are a formidable opponent. The upcoming games could influence both teams’ strategies, potentially determining adjustments in batting orders and pitching approaches as the season progresses.