Clinging to first place in the NL East, the Washington Nationals begin a crucial three-game weekend series against their closest pursuer the New York Mets on Friday. The Nats won three of four games at Citi Field in May, tossing back-to-back shutouts at the league’s lowest scoring team.
ODDS ANALYSIS
We’re not looking for many runs to be scored in this game with a pair of starters who have been filthy. Washington’s Gio Gonzalez owns a 1.38 ERA and has surrendered just two runs in 13 innings against the Mets in 2015. He tossed a gem at Citi Field on May 2 giving up just six hits with nine strikeouts over seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 win. Over his career at Citi Field Gonzalez has a 1.66 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and .159 opponent’s batting average while striking out 60 in 59.2 innings. His six wins there are the most in any park he hasn’t called home. He faces a Mets team that has the lowest batting average and has scored the fewest runs in the Major Leagues. New York’s Matt Harvey has been just as good with a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings over three starts against Washington this season. The two faced each other on July 20 with the Nats breaking a 13 inning scoreless streak against Harvey in the first inning and went on to win 7-2. After dropping two of three to the Mets in the opening series of the season, Washington won five of the last seven, up 3.0 units, and won three of four games in New York in early May with the final two by identical 1-0 scores.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.83 ERA) surrendered three runs – one earned – on five hits in five-plus innings in his last start Saturday against the Pirates. It was the lefty’s fifth straight start in which he allowed two earned runs or fewer posting an impressive 1.45 ERA in that span with four wins and a no-decision.
Gio won both his starts against the Mets this season allowing just two runs with 13 strikeouts across 13 innings. He tossed seven shutout innings in a 1-0 Nats win at Citi Field on May 2 and has dominated there with a 1.66 ERA and .159 opponent’s batting average while going 6-1 in nine career starts.
Matt Harvey (9-7, 3.16 ERA) had a solid outing against the Dodgers in Saturday’s win, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings. After walking a total of 13 batters in his previous three starts, with at least four in each outing, Harvey displayed more control with just one free pass to LA.
Though he gave up four runs to the Nats in a July 20 loss, Harvey is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA against them this year thanks to a pair of scoreless efforts.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“It’s nice to have them back. They’re healthy. They feel good. We’ll have to monitor as we go – day games after night games, back to backs, three games in a row, stuff like that. But they are both ready. They feel ready to go and that’s important for us.” – Nationals manager Matt Williams on the return of regulars Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman to the lineup after lengthy stays on the disabled list.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
New York’s search for a bat to aid their struggling offense continues. On Wednesday, hours after team sources said the club had agreed to acquire Milwaukee outfielder Carlos Gomez, the proposed trade collapsed. The trade hinged on a review of each player’s medical reports and the Mets were not encouraged by recent issues with Gomez’s hip. Social media was abuzz with reports about the deal and all players involved were informed. So the Mets continue their search for a bat that would save their terrible offense, one that has scored the fewest runs in the game. The Mets did get Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from the Braves last week, but still sought an impact hitter. Gomez generally qualified, though he’s not posted the same numbers this as he did the two prior.
PROP TALK
Nationals’ right fielder Bryce Harper is having an MVP-type season. He added to his totals on Wednesday with a pair of home runs and knocked in four runs as part of a 3 for 4 night in a win over the Marlins. He ended a nine-game homerless streak and took over the NL lead in homers with 29. Harper might not be feeling too well come game time having to face Matt Harvey. Over his career Harper is hitless in 14 at-bats against the Mets righty and has fanned seven times.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Nationals are getting some key pieces back in the lineup with the return of Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman all in the last week, and that makes them much more dangerous heading into the final two months of the season. Now if they can get Dennard Span back, manager Matt Williams will finally be able to put his projected opening day lineup on the field for the first time this season. They still have to fend off the Mets, but with their weak offense and Gio Gonzalez dealing, Washington is ready to pull away in the NL East.
Washington 4, New York 1
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
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 Washington Nationals and New York Mets is scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2015, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
