Braves’ Chris Sale goals to proceed sizzling streak in conflict vs. Mets

The Atlanta Braves will send top Cy Young contender Chris Sale to the mound on Wednesday night as they try to catch the visiting New York Mets in the race for the National League’s final wild-card berths.

The Braves (86-71) recorded a 5-1 win over New York on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series and trail the Mets (87-70) and Arizona Diamondbacks (87-71) in the race for a postseason spot. Atlanta is trying to make the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

“We need to go 1-0 (on Wednesday),” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Big hits, plays, and a great start, clearly.”

Sale (18-3, 2.38 ERA) will face New York’s David Peterson (9-3, 3.08) in a matchup of left-handers.

Sale, who has won eight straight decisions, leads the National League in wins, ERA and strikeouts (225 in 177 2/3 innings) — putting him in position to win the Triple Crown for pitchers. He is second in WHIP (1.01) and is fourth in opponent’s batting average (.216).

In his last outing on Thursday, Sale beat Cincinnati by throwing five innings and allowing two runs on five hits, with two walks and six strikeouts.

Sale has faced the Mets once this season and received no decision after pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on two hits, one walk and nine strikeouts on July 25. The Braves lost 3-2. Sale has made four career starts against New York, going 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA.

Peterson was knocked out early in his last start on Friday against Philadelphia when he allowed five runs (four earned) in 3 2/3 innings. But in his previous start on Sept. 15, he was sharp against the Phillies, permitting one run over 7 1/3 innings.

Peterson started against the Braves on July 28 and took a loss — his first of the season — by allowing four runs in five innings. He has 11 career appearances (10 starts) against Atlanta, going 3-5 with a 5.33 ERA.

The Mets chose to start Peterson rather than Jose Quintana, who is 4-0 with an 0.28 ERA over his last five starts.

“We were looking at a lot of different things — matchups, what was best for the team this series,” New York manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We felt like Quintana’s been throwing the ball really well, but you could make a case for Peterson, too. Peterson, even though he’s struggled his last one, he’s been throwing the ball well.”

The Mets will need to find a way to slow Atlanta center fielder Michael Harris II. He was 3-for-4 on Tuesday with a double and a home run and extended his hitting streak to eight games, batting 18-for-37 (.486) during that span.

The Braves announced Tuesday that injured third baseman Austin Riley (fractured right hand) will not be available should they make the playoffs. However, right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder inflammation) threw a side session and could be activated as soon as this weekend.

The Mets may be close to having Francisco Lindor (sore back) return to the lineup. He did not play Tuesday but came to the on-deck circle in the ninth inning and would have been a pinch hitter had New York been able to extend the inning.

–Field Level Media