New York Mets vs Washington Nationals Betting Picks

The Nationals lead the majors in runs scored. Yet they are just a .500 team because they have the second-highest ERA in the league and have committed the most errors. They also have the fifth-highest bullpen ERA. Juan Soto is hot, which means the Mets' offense is hot. New York is averaging 7.0 runs per game during its past seven games. Soto has five homers in those seven games. He has been deadly against Washington, his former team, with 12 home runs and 26 RBI's in 35 career games. Washington has the second-fewest quality starts. Cade Cavalli, today's Nationals starter, can take his place among those bad starters with a 4.05 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. The Nationals are surrendering an average of 7.6 runs per game during their past eight games. Mets starter David Peterson has not been good either, with a 5.40 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. But he has the superior bullpen behind him, along with the better defense. Take the Mets. 

The Nationals are two games better than the Mets and can never be counted out. That was proven last night when Washington rallied from a five-run deficit against good-looking rookie Nolan McLean, who had a 2.92 ERA entering the game. The Nationals got to McLean for nine runs — six earned — in 5.2 innings in their 9-6 victory. Now the Mets go from McLean to Zach Thornton, who is filling in for injured Clay Holmes. This is Thornton's Major League debut. New York's bullpen carries a high fatigue rating. The Nationals do not have good pitching and are last defensively. But they do have plenty of offense, making this a scary start for Thornton. Washington leads the majors in runs, averaging 5.5 runs a game. The Nationals have an excellent blend of power and speed, ranking in the top eight in homers and stolen bases. Washington starter Zack Littell threw five shutout innings in his last outing, giving up only two hits in a 3-2 win against the Orioles this past Friday. Take the Nationals. 

Last-place New York is 10-13 on the road, playing its second straight road game. The offense is 24th in runs scored, 28th in on-base percentage, 21st in steals, and last in slugging. The Mets are 3-6 in Nolan McLean's nine starts, losing as chalk of -125, -163, -165, -185, and -180. Washington's offense is No. 1 in runs scored, 10th in on-base percentage, fifth in steals, and fourth in slugging. The Nationals are on a 12-9 run, winning 10 times at even money or as an underdog. Foster Griffin (3.53 ERA) is holding batters to a .209 average, including a 2.12 ERA at home. They're 6-3 in his nine starts. Play Washington. 

The New York Mets payroll is in the top 3, but this team is not performing as expected. After 30 games, they are 10-20, the worst record in baseball. Washington has some baggage of their own as the Nationals' pitching staff has allowed 181 runs so far, which is more than any other team in baseball. The Mets were crushed yesterday, 14-2, and this is the rubber game of a 3-game series, as the Mets won 8-0 in the opener. The Mets will send out Freddy Peralta, and opponents have scored three or fewer runs in three of his last four starts. Washington turns to Miles Mikolas and his 12.41 ERA. In his past four starts, opponents have scored 41 runs. Back the Mets in this one.