PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Sat Afternoon SCORCHER >> +$32,883 since May 1st! >> 4-1 Friday!
(MLB) Washington vs. NY Mets,
Money Line: -149.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -149.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Nats came to New York on Thursday to open a four-game series with the Mets at Citi Field. The timing seemed perfect for the Mets, who came in 8 1/2 games back of the Nats in the NL East but had won five of their last six games, while the Nats had lost five of six. However, the visiting Nationals have widened the gap over the Mets with two comfortable wins, 8-3 on Thursday and 7-2 last night. Washington hit three HRs in Friday's win and has 12 over its last five games. The Nats' total of 103 HRs on the year rank them 4th among all teams. Washington ranks second in runs scored (5.52 per) and OPS (.814) plus third in team BA (.275).
The pitching matchup: Stephen Strasburg (7-2 & 3.27 ERA) will take the mound for Washington and Seth Lugo (1-0 & 1.29 ERA) for the Mets. Strasburg allowed six runs on seven hits in five innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Monday (Braves won 11-10). That ended a streak of five straight quality starts in which he had gone 4-1. Strasburg is 7-4 with a 2.64 ERA in 13 starts against the Mets, all-time (Nats are 9-4). Lugo landed on the disabled list in the opening week of the season with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament but he looked fully recovered in his season debut Sunday at Atlanta. He struck out six and limited the Braves to one run and six hits over seven innings in a 2-1 win. Lugo made one start and one relief appearance against the Nationals last season, allowing one run and six hits over nine innings and earning a win in the start.
The pick: Lugo made 17 appearances (eight starts) in 2016 for the Mets (his first season in the bigs) and will now make just his second start of 2017. It's a tough spot going against the powerful Washington lineup (see stats above) and facing Starsburg, who has seen the Nats go 9-4 in his 2017 starts. Strasburg has pitched better on the road in 2017, with a 2.52 ERA (compared to a 4.15 home ERA), going 5-1 in seven road outings (Nats are 5-2). Washington has outscored the Mets 15-5 in the first two games of the series and it doesn't get better for New York on Saturday, either, Make the Nats a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Stephen Strasburg (7-2 & 3.27 ERA) will take the mound for Washington and Seth Lugo (1-0 & 1.29 ERA) for the Mets. Strasburg allowed six runs on seven hits in five innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Monday (Braves won 11-10). That ended a streak of five straight quality starts in which he had gone 4-1. Strasburg is 7-4 with a 2.64 ERA in 13 starts against the Mets, all-time (Nats are 9-4). Lugo landed on the disabled list in the opening week of the season with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament but he looked fully recovered in his season debut Sunday at Atlanta. He struck out six and limited the Braves to one run and six hits over seven innings in a 2-1 win. Lugo made one start and one relief appearance against the Nationals last season, allowing one run and six hits over nine innings and earning a win in the start.
The pick: Lugo made 17 appearances (eight starts) in 2016 for the Mets (his first season in the bigs) and will now make just his second start of 2017. It's a tough spot going against the powerful Washington lineup (see stats above) and facing Starsburg, who has seen the Nats go 9-4 in his 2017 starts. Strasburg has pitched better on the road in 2017, with a 2.52 ERA (compared to a 4.15 home ERA), going 5-1 in seven road outings (Nats are 5-2). Washington has outscored the Mets 15-5 in the first two games of the series and it doesn't get better for New York on Saturday, either, Make the Nats a 10* play.
