4 keys to winning the crucial Mets-Braves series in Atlanta

2. The home run battle will go a long way in determining the winner of this series.

If there was one thing that doomed the Mets in 2022, it was that they weren't hitting timely home runs and they gave up too many home runs, both in that September's crucial series and in the Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres.

In 2022, the Mets hit 172 home runs that season. This year, they already have 202 with six games left, and they hit a bunch during the homestand that just finished. Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, and Francisco Alvarez appear to be swinging the bat well at the right time. Luisangel Acuña also hit his first three big league homers last week. Getting Francisco Lindor back, even in a designated hitter role, would make the lineup that much longer.

Meanwhile, the Braves have 206 round-trippers this season, and they've been hitting homers recently as well. Michael Harris has hit seven of his 15 home runs this season in September. Meanwhile, Matt Olson and Jorge Soler have each hit four since the calendar turned as well. Also, Marcell Ozuna is a big threat as well. Despite hitting just one home run in his last 116 at-bats dating back to August 21, Ozuna has 38 on the season and hit .480 on their road trip that just finished.

The power battle between both teams is even entering this series, but the Mets hitting home runs will serve them well in a ballpark where they've hit a lot in their limited time there.