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The New York Mets are hoping to continue their recent streak against the NL East leading Washington Nationals in the second game of their three game series. The game will be played on Friday at Citi Field Park, and is scheduled to begin at 7 PM. ET.
Washington Nationals vs New York Mets
- When: Friday, June 16, 2017, 7:10 PM ET
- Where: Citi Field
- Moneyline: TBD
- Over/Under: TBD
Nationals Analysis
Going into this series, the Nationals had lost five of their last seven games, which was surprising to their fans considering they were playing at home and were coming off a successful road trip in which they went 7-2.
Despite their recent play, the Nationals have been one of the best teams in baseball this season. Their hot start to the season, coupled with the poor play of the rest of the teams in the division, helped Washington jump out to a big lead in the division.
Even though they haven’t been their best lately, the Nationals still have a commanding nine game lead in the division. However, the lead isn’t going to remain as big if they keep losing to teams like the Atlanta Braves, and the Mets continue playing well.
On paper, the Nationals should be doing better than they currently are because they are the best hitting team in the league and have scored the second most runs. Their starters have also given the team 42 quality starts, which is also the best in the league.
The biggest problem the Nationals have had this year is their bullpen, which has blown a lot of leads. If the bullpen’s poor play continues, it can haunt the team down the line when the playoffs start, so expect them to be actively looking for some bullpen help before the trade deadline.
The Nationals bullpen has allowed 5 runs today. Their 4.92 bullpen ERA is the worst in the NL and 3rd-worst in the Majors. pic.twitter.com/Gf2fbBTwrf
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 10, 2017
Starting Pitcher Analysis
Matt Scherzer will take the mound for the Nationals in the second game of the series. In 13 starts this season, Scherzer is 7-4 with a 2.36 ERA. Scherzer leads the NL in strikeouts and WHIP, and has the second best ERA in the National League. He has allowed 3 runs in his last three starts, two of which came in a loss against the Texas Rangers.
Nationals Trends
- Washington is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games when playing NY Mets
- Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing NY Mets
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 15 games when playing NY Mets
Mets Analysis
The Mets have been a disappointment this season, after coming in with hopes of making it to the World Series for the second time in three seasons. New York has won four of its last five and the team looks to be finally turning things around.
Injuries have been a big problem for New York, but the team expects to get some of its injured players back soon, and get back in contention by the time the second half of the season begins.
New York should be able to take advantage of the struggling Nationals and cut into their division lead as long as they can avoid making the same mistakes that cost them a few games earlier in the year.
Starting Pitcher Analysis
The Mets are expected to give Robert Gsellman the start in the second game of the series. Gsellman is 5-3 in 11 starts this season, with a 4.95 ERA. The second-year player has been performing well lately, allowing only three runs in his last three starts.
In two starts against the Nationals last year, Gsellman was 1-0 with a .077 ERA.
Keith and Ron were impressed with Robert Gsellman's hair pic.twitter.com/uoB1iwNXgj
— Good Fundies (@goodfundies) June 15, 2017
Mets Trends
- NY Mets is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
- NY Mets is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of NY Mets' last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
Pick and Prediction
Expect a low-scoring game with Scherzer and Gsellman on the mound for their respective teams, which means the under on scoring totals is the smart play for this game.
