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Washington Nationals at New York Mets Free Preview 04/16/18

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals are making a road trip to Citi Field to take on their division rival New York Mets. The game gets underway 7:10 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast the matchup.

Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Odds

The Nationals are 7-9 SU and have gone 6-9 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.2 units for moneyline gamblers over the early part of the season and 3.1 units ATS. Washington is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Mets are 12-2 SU and 10-3 ATS. They’ve gained 10.3 units for moneyline bettors and 9.1 units ATS. New York has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.

New York games have an over/under record of 6-7 so far in 2018. Washington has an over/under record of 6-7-2.

The Nationals have lost 3.8 units and are 5-7 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in six of those games, compared to five that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Mets have netted 6.9 units and are 7-3 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in five of those games, as opposed to five that’ve cashed the under.

Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson is projected to start for Washington. Hellickson is 0-0 with an ERA. He has yet to face the Mets this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-0, 5.68 ERA and four strikeouts across 6.1 innings).

The Mets are turning to righty Jacob deGrom (2-0, 3.06 ERA), who’s got 18 strikeouts and five walks as well as a 1.13 WHIP. deGrom is 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA across one starts against Washington this year.

New York’s pitchers have given up 3.1 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The club’s starters have a 3.35 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 1.51, a WHIP of 1.12 and a K/9 of 10.7. In eight games against NL East foes, Mets starters have an ERA of 2.66 and the bullpen’s ERA is 1.16.

The New York hitters have put up 4.6 runs per contest, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .208/.300/.421 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.

Third baseman Todd Frazier and second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera have led the Mets’ hitters this year. Frazier is slashing .295/.450/.523 with 13 hits, nine RBIs and eight runs scored, while Cabrera’s line is .315/.362/.556 with 17 hits, five RBIs and 12 runs.

Compared to his overall season slash line of .214/.345/.425, Frazier seemed to take a step back when hitting right-handed pitching at home last season, slashing .165/.308/.247 over 208 such plate appearances.

In the other dugout, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 3.35 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.33 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.73, along with a K/9 of 11.75.

The Nationals offense has slashed .232/.340/.391 on its way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).

Outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton have led Washington’s hitters. Harper is slashing .300/.479/.740 with 15 hits, seven homers, 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored, while Eaton has a .345 average with 10 hits, two homers, five RBIs and 10 runs scored.

Harper seemed to enjoy hitting righty pitching on the road in 2017, maintaining a slash line of .319/.438/.681 across 176 such plate appearances (his overall season line was .317/.411/.596).

Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets MLB Tip

Predictions: SU Winner – Mets, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER

Notes

Betting Trends

The Mets have won 10 of their last 11 games SU.

The Washington defense has allowed four errors over the last 10 games, compared to nine errors for New York over its last 10.

The Nationals have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.

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Written by GMS Previews

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