The Mets host the Nationals in a nationally televised game on Sunday night, that has massive playoff implications. With Washington just a game ahead of the Mets in the standings, New York has a chance to draw even with a win tonight. I like the Mets, who are now 37-18 at home this season.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Noah Syndergaard will get the call for the Mets, and he's coming off another real gem. Syndergaard (5-5, 2.70 ERA) shutout the Padres over eight innings, striking out nine in a 4-0 home win in his last outing. He's now 5-1 with a 1.46 ERA in seven starts at Citi Field this season. The Nats counter with Jordan Zimmerman, who isn't quite as good on the road as he is in Washington. He allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings in a loss at Miami in his last start.

2. Batter versus Pitcher - Daniel Murphy is batting .339 lifetime versus Zimmerman, and he has three home runs and eight RBIs in 56 RBIs.

3. X-Factor - The Nationals are 2-7 in Zimmermann's last 9 starts as a road underdog.

Selection: This is a play on the New York Mets (8*)