House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Face Early Season Test Against Division Rival in New York Mets

By Jake Mastroianni

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 28, 2019 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 28, 2019 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

While Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer was the main event on the first Opening Day, you won’t find a better match-up on the second Opening Day with the Atlanta Braves throwing Mike Soroka against deGrom.

Mike Soroka faced the Mets three times last year and went 2-0 in those starts going at least 5 innings in each and not giving up more than 3 earned runs.

In one of those starts last year he matched up with deGrom and out-dueled him giving up just 2 earned runs in 6.1 innings on 7 hits with 4 walks, while deGrom gave up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks with 7 strikeouts over 6 innings.

Over deGrom’s career against the Atlanta Braves, he’s made 21 starts with a 1.97 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 137.1 innings with 7 wins.

The 2019 season was actually one of the best years the Braves have had against deGrom. He had just a 3.08 ERA against them in 26.1 innings with 39 strikeouts and won just one of four starts.

That’s much better than the 0.88 ERA deGrom posted against the Braves in 2018 over 6 starts and 41 innings with 50 strikeouts.

Braves fans will be sad to hear the Josh Donaldson hit deGrom the best last year with 4 hits and 2 home runs off him.

Freddie Freeman had 3 hits and a home, while Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies each had a couple of hits off deGrom in 2019.

Austin Riley was 2-for-5 with a home run off deGrom last year. It would be nice to see him get off to a good start on Friday with another home run against the Cy Young winner.

On the flip side, Pete Alonso owned Soroka (and pretty much everyone) last year with 4 hits in 9 at-bats, including a home run.

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