NEW YORK -- A pair of longtime rivals going in opposite directions this season will have something in common Friday night when the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game series at Citi Field.
The Mets and Braves carry two-game winning streaks into the series. The Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 on Thursday while the Braves knocked off the Cincinnati Reds 7-2.
By scoring 17 runs in their last two wins, the Mets (36-29) have regained the lead in the National League wild card race.