The Washington Nationals will be taking on their divisional rival New York Mets at Citi Field. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will televise the matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals at New York Mets Odds
Vegas has listed Washington (-110) as the favorite over New York (+100). The total is sitting at 8 runs and bettors can wager on the over or the under for -110. Gamblers can also bet on the game’s spread with the runline odds standing at +135 for the Nationals -1.5 runs and -155 for the Mets +1.5.
The Nationals have gone 9-9 SU this year and are 7-10 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline over the early portions of the year and 3.1 units ATS. The Mets, on the other hand, are 12-4 SU and 10-5 ATS. The team’s gained 9.7 units for moneyline bettors and 7.0 units ATS.
Mets games have an over/under record of 7-8 so far in 2018. The Nationals have an over/under record of 8-7-2.
Right-hander Tanner Roark is projected to start for Washington. Roark is 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA and 18 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with nine strikeouts and a 9.00 ERA against New York this year (two starts).
The Mets are putting the ball in the hands of lefty Steven Matz (1-1, 3.77 ERA), who’s got 17 punchouts and seven walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.19. Matz is 0-0 with eight strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA over one starts against Washington this year.
Washington’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.04 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.55, along with a WHIP of 1.13 and a K/9 of 11.68.
The Nationals offense has slashed .239/.344/.392 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game this year, including 4.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been led by outfielder Bryce Harper and shortstop Trea Turner. Harper is hitting .304/.482/.750 with eight home runs, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored, while Turner has a .250 average with one homers, three RBIs, eight runs and eight steals.
Harper seemed to have a little trouble hitting lefty pitching last season. Over 129 plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .311/.357/.445 (compared to his overall season line of .317/.411/.596).
For the home team, New York’s pitching staff has allowed 3.5 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.45, a WHIP of 1.13 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.47, a WHIP of 1.23 and a K/9 of 10.3. In 10 divisional games, Mets starters have an ERA of 2.98 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.78.
The New York hitters have produced 4.6 runs per outing, including 4.7 per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over their last five. The team has hit .245/.328/.417 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Mets’ batters have been led by second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera and third baseman Todd Frazier. Cabrera is slashing .339/.382/.613 with 21 hits, eight RBIs and 14 runs scored, while Frazier’s line is .283/.420/.491 with 15 hits, 11 RBIs and eight runs.
Compared to his total season slash line of .280/.351/.434, Cabrera seemed to take a step back when hitting at home in 2017, slashing .245/.315/.366 over 241 plate appearances.
The Nationals have lost 4.3 units and are 1-3 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in one of those games, compared to two that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Mets have netted 6.2 units and are 7-5 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in six of those games, compared to six that went under.
Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Mets, ATS Winner – Mets, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in three of Washington’s last seven games.
The Mets have lost three of their last four games SU.
New York has recorded 19.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 19.6 over its last five.
The Nationals have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
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