The finale of a huge three game series is set to go down in the nation’s capital will play out Wednesday night when Steven Matz gets the rough assignment of leading the Mets into battle against Max Scherzer and the division rival Nationals.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
After the Mets took two straight from the defending World Series champion Royals immediately after getting embarrassingly swept at home by the Braves, it was thought Terry Collins’s squad rediscovered its mojo. That idea was quickly kicked to the curb after NY only managed to split a four game series against that same Atlanta ball club over the weekend. You know, the one with the worst offense in all of baseball!
While it sits six games over .500 for the season, NY has not been the boon to MLB bettor’s bankrolls as was first thought before the season kicked off with what looked to be such a dominant starting staff. Heading into this series’ opener, they’re down $694 overall.
Washington returns home from its longest road trip of the season in terrible form. Dusty Baker’s squad opened it up with a pair of wins over the Padres in Petco, but then proceeded to drop seven straight and pulled out a 3-2 win in Milwaukee on Sunday to avoid getting the brooms busted out on them there as well.
Still, the Nats are up $149 overall for baseball bettors and have been at their best at home where they’re eight games over .500 and up over $300 for the season.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Something is not right with Steven Matz and it’s likely he should already be resting his arm on the DL right now. He’s complained of elbow stiffness after each of his last three starts. He just got shelled by the Atlanta Braves last time out to whom he allowed nine hits and 6 ER against and failed to pitch through the fifth inning. He’s only reached the sixth twice in his last five starts, and for someone that routinely reached the 7th inning earlier in the season, it’s a tell-tale sign that something’s not right.
He’s been pretty decent on the road in going 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA, but he’s allowed 48 hits through 42.2 innings pitched and currently looks ripe for the taking.
With Stephen Strasburg on the shelf, it’s up to ad Max Scherzer to take the reins of this pitching staff and keep things under control. While he logged his third straight start with double-digit Ks last time out versus Milwaukee, he also gave up a long ball for the third straight start. Allowing home runs has been an issue this season with him conceding 20 of them through his 107.1 innings of work.
That said, he’s been pretty darn good at home where he’s allowed just 24 hits through his 35 innings of work and checks in 3-2 overall with a .195 batting average against.
LIVE BETTING
Scherzer was outdueled by Noah Syndergaard the first time he ran up against the Mets this season. Curtis Granderson proved to be a pest with a pair of hits, two walks, a run and an RBI in the Mets 2-0 shutout win.
That said, I’m just not sold on Matz. He was just knocked out of his last start prematurely after sailing along and getting tattooed, and he continues to complain of arm issues which NY’s medical staff continues to ignore. Look for Scherzer to come out strong in this one and for the Nats to get him out to an early lead.
A first five innings wager on the home team is imperative.
QUICK PICK
I just don’t like what I’m seeing out of New York’s camp of late. While the Nats have their warts as well, I can’t help but think they’re going to be super motivated to add a little more separation between them and the Mets throughout this series. Scherzer is the staff ace right now and he has to act like it. Look for the good Mad Max to show up in this one and lead his club to the dub.
MLB Odds: Nationals 6, Mets 2
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals is scheduled for Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 7:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. The matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
