Nationals vs. Mets Pick
Do the host Washington Nationals have the formula to down the New York Mets Friday night? First pitch is at 7:05PM EST.
Oddsmakers at sports book Bovada.lv have made the Mets a -137 favorite on the moneyline to win. The Nationals are a +117 underdog, while the over-under is 8.
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New York will go with Jacob deGrom (13-7, 3.49 ERA), while the Nationals counter with A.J. Cole (1-3, 5.32). deGrom has not been sharp in his last two starts, allowing a total of 10 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings during two losses. the Mets have lost four of his last five starts. He has a 1.18 WHIP and 191 strikeouts in 165 innings. Cole is making his fifth start of the season and fourth this month. He has given up 12 earned runs in 17 innings in August, most recently allowing three earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings as the Nationals lost 4-2 at home to the Giants on August 13. He has a 1.59 WHIP.
The Mets have lost nine of their 11 games as they turn to giving younger players an opportunity. They are 55-71 overall and 28-32 on the road. Washington has won eight of its last 10 games and sports a 76-49 record, while at home it stands at 35-25.
On Thursday, the Mets lost 3-2 at home to the Diamondbacks as Rafael Montero allowed three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings to take the loss. Yoenis Cespedes paced the offense by going 2-for-3 with a home run and two walks. Kevin Plawecki was 2-for-3 with a walk. The Nationals won 5-4 at the Astros Wednesday, with Anthony Rendon leading the way with a pair of doubles plus a walk. He scored a run and drove in one. Matt Wieters was 2-for-4 with a run, two RBIs and a walk. Matt Albers earned the win in relief, while Sammy Solis picked up his first save.
So yes, the Mets have the better starting pitcher. But that’s about all they have going for them. deGrom has not looked good in his last two starts and the Mets have looked mediocre for months. Do you really trust this team on the road against the division-leading Nationals? Me either.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS +117