Improbably, the Brewers are back in first place, confounding skeptics and offering a blueprint for success on a shoestring budget.

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Brewers play a three-game series in Milwaukee starting on Friday at 8:10 p.m. on SNY. Montas allowed seven runs on seven hits during his last start, leading manager Carlos Mendoza to be non-committal after that game about the right-hander's immediate future.

The Milwaukee Brewers currently have the best record in baseball at 69-44, thanks to a current torrid stretch they're on where they've won 20 of their past 24 games. That includes each of their past five contests,

Brewers: Jose Quintana (8-4, 3.50 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 59 strikeouts); Braves: Spencer Strider (5-8, 3.71 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 92 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Braves -137, Brewers +116; over/under is 8 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves aim to break their four-game home skid with a win against the Milwaukee Brewers.