The Mets have lost back-to-back games entering this series and are 5-13 in August as they continue to struggle. Atlanta though, is hot! The Braves are 7-1 in the past eight games, including going 2-1 versus the Mets on August 12-14. For the year, Atlanta owns the series edge, 7-3.

Seeing Bobby Cox present for the celebration of Atlanta’s first World Series title gave the 1995 Braves even greater reason to savor what they accomplished when they beat Cleveland in the Fall Classic 30 years ago.

The New York Mets will send their promising rookie to the mound on Friday in hopes of slowing a brutal recent skid against the Atlanta Braves.