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Young hurlers collide at Citi Field

Aug 27, 2014 - 2:28 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Two of the best young arms in baseball square off on Wednesday, as Zack Wheeler and the New York Mets continue their three-game series against Julio Teheran and the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.

Wheeler has started to come into his own, going 6-0 with a 2.12 ERA over his last 10 starts while winning all four at home behind a 2.05 ERA. He won last Wednesday in Oakland, but failed to produce a quality start for the first time in 10 outings, as he allowed four runs (2 earned) and four hits with three walks over 5 2/3 innings.

"This guy is throwing 97 mph, you better speed your bat up to get to it," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "And so if he's willing to use his changeup, you're going to get swings and misses or you're going to get little ground balls. It's a good pitch for him. It's getting better for him because he's throwing it more."

Wheeler, who is 9-8 on the year with a 3.48 ERA, has won three of his four decisions versus the Braves and has pitched to a 3.50 ERA in those six starts.

Teheran, meanwhile, has won his last two starts after a three-start losing streak and is 12-9 on the year with a 2.96 ERA. Teheran was brilliant on Thursday in Cincinnati, as he scattered four hits over six scoreless innings.

The 23-year-old right-hander has faced the Mets six times (5 starts) and is 2-1 with a 3.77 ERA.

New York drew first blood in this series on Tuesday, as Juan Lagares hit a two-run home run and the Mets eked out a 3-2 win.

Dillon Gee (5-6) gave up two runs on six hits with a pair of walks and one strikeout over 6 2/3 innings for the Mets, who have won their past two. Ruben Tejada drove in the other run.

Justin Upton was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Braves, who have dropped three in a row and fell 1 1/2 games back of the second wild card spot in the National League.

Alex Wood (9-10) allowed three runs on five hits with a walk and six strikeouts over seven innings to take the loss.

"I thought Wood did a really nice job tonight," said Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. "Aside from that homer and one or two other hits, he did a really good job."

Atlanta has split 14 matchups with the Mets this season.