FREDDIE IS BACK!.....Other People are also Playing.....

The Mets are featuring a right-handed heavy lineup against southpaw Dallas Keuchel. A fun discussion point that will likely come up multiple times this week is the Rookie of the Year debate regarding Pete Alonso and Mike Soroka. It seems as if Alonso is the overwhelming favorite, though Soroka has a valid case for consideration. A quiet series from Alonso would be icing on the cake for Atlanta. Furthermore, Brandon Nimmo is atop the lineup for the Mets. After a breakout year in 2018, Nimmo has had a very frustrating 2019. While J.D. Davis has made his absences easier to manage this year, the Mets have to be encouraged that he is able to end the year on a healthy note.

For the Braves, obviously the big news is the return of Freddie Freeman. Freeman stated earlier this afternoon that he feels better than he has in a few months. Hopefully, that will lead to good production and clutch at-bats during the playoff for multiple rounds. With the less than ideal update regarding Ender Inciarte, Billy Hamilton becomes a bigger focus for the Atlanta bench. Fortunately, if health is in good shape elsewhere, the Braves will be able to utilize Hamilton as a defensive replacement and base running asset late in games.

Beyond Freeman and Hamilton, another huge boost for Atlanta would be Wednesday night acting as the beginning of a positive turnaround for Dansby Swanson. Brian Snitker has done well in getting Swanson at bats to generate success. Swanson should have plenty of opportunities to build off that success in New York.