While there is a four team race in the NL East now, the Mets and Nationals are the favorites to be at the top of the standings come September. After Washington took two of three in New York last week, the teams will finish up their second series of the year on Wednesday.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The situation is hardly dire for the Mets, not when they’re coming off a three-game weekend sweep of the Brewers. But are they ever going to score a few runs? They got it done over the weekend, but the Mets are just 10-11 this month. That’s actually an impressive record for a team that has scored the fewest run in the major leagues in the month of May. The Mets went 4-2 on the just-completed homestand, but only because the won 2-0 and 3-1 behind Noah Syndergaard and 3-2 behind Steven Matz.
New York managed just four runs and dropped two of three at home to the Nationals last week in the first meeting between NL East favorites. The final two of the set played the over thanks to Washington plating 16 combined runs. But the Mets have been a strong play on the under going 10-4 in their last 14.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Steven Matz (6-1, 2.81 ERA) surrendered a two-run homer to Chris Carter in the first inning and that was it. He retired 18 of the final 19 Brewers he faced and came away with a victory, giving up a total of three hits with eight strikeouts and no walks in his seven innings. It was his first start since receiving a cortisone shot for his sore elbow which caused him to miss his previous start.
Matz was efficient against Milwaukee tossing 65 of 88 pitches for strikes, but was removed as a precaution. He faces a stiffer test in his first career start against the Nationals, who are among the game’s best at hitting lefties.
Tanner Roark (3-3, 2.89 ERA) defeated his longtime nemesis the Marlins in his last outing with seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings of one-run ball. He allowed six hits with two walks and the Nats won for the first time in his last five starts. All three of his losses have come against the Marlins. Despite those ugly outings against Miami, Roark still owns a 2.89 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, which tells you how well he’s done against everybody else.
Roark will face the Mets for the first time this season and he’s 5-0 with a 3.05 ERA in 11 career appearances – six starts – against them.
LIVE BETTING
When Daniel Murphy was hitting over .400 after the first three weeks of the season, it was inevitable to ask, “Can he keep this up?” Murphy was a career .288 hitter entering the season and fresh off his home run barrage in last season’s playoffs. But three more weeks later, Murphy is still hovering around .400.
Through 40 games, Murphy leads the majors with a .387 average and a 1.028 OPS. He feels hitting behind Bryce Harper has helped him get good pitches to hit and Murphy is taking advantage. He had four hits in 11 at-bats during the three games the team’s played last week, including a home run and four RBIs.
QUICK PICK
The Nationals’ pitching staff did a nice job shutting down the Mets when the baseball teams met in Queens last week, allowing just four runs total in the three games. Roark wasn’t involved in that series, but he’s been good against teams not from Miami. He worked out his issues with the Marlins in his last start and is a key member of one of the league’s top rotations.
New York’s struggle to score wasn’t an issue in the weekend sweep of the Brewers, but the Mets will face a much tougher challenge on the road. Offense hasn’t been a problem for Washington. Since getting blanked by the Mets last Tuesday, the Nats scored 30 runs while going 4-1.
MLB Odds: Washington 4, New York 3
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, May 25, 2016, at 1:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
