Mets vs Braves: 5 bold predictions for series of the weekend

New York Mets vs Atlanta Braves: 5 bold predictions for series of the weekend

By Kevin Henry | Sep 29, 2022

Aug 7, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) rounds third base after hitting a two run home run against New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) during the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 20, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) reacts after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Braves star Dansby Swanson will continue to struggle

Remember the talk from the earlier slide about how Swanson has hit very well in Atlanta in 2022? Well, he needs to recapture that home-field magic quickly.

Atlanta’s All-Star shortstop is struggling at the worst possible time, slashing just .224/.257/.383 in 25 September games covering 107 at-bats. While Atlanta has been red hot since the All-Star break (allowing them to catch the Mets and keep the National League East close), Swanson has not put up the numbers after the Midsummer Classic (.250/.293/.373 with seven home runs and 39 RBI) that he did before the All-Star Game (.294/.353/.481 with 15 homers and 53 RBI).

Swanson isn’t just struggling at the end of the season, but he’s also struggling as he enters the final days of a one-year, $10 million contract and free agency looming in the offseason. He’s expected to be part of a stellar shortstop free agent class (that could include Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Correa, if they both opt out of their current contracts).

Can he turn it around against the Mets? The bold prediction here is no.

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