Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Preview
Where: Citi Field – Queens, NY
When: Friday, June 16, 2017 – 7:00 PM ET
Line: Washington Nationals (-155) vs. New York Mets (+140); total: 7.5 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
MLB World Series News and Previews
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- Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers Betting Preview – August 17, 2017
Betting on the Washington Nationals (40-26)
The Washington Nationals returned to winning ways Thursday with an emphatic 8-3 victory over the New York Mets. Bryce Harper’s first-inning homer opened the floodgates for the Nats who had lost five of their previous six games. With the victory, Washington once again opened up an imposing 9.5-game lead in the NL East standings.
The Nationals will look to sustain the momentum of that huge victory when they lock horns with the Mets in an immediate rematch this coming Friday. Starting for Washington in this critical contest is Max Scherzer (7-4, 2.36 ERA). He’s playing some excellent baseball at the moment, recording double-digit strikeouts in each of his last four outings. Scherzer, who eclipsed 2,000 career strikeouts in his last start against the Texas Rangers, has pitched through at least seven innings in each game during that span. He has surrendered just four runs and struck out 48 batters during that four-game stretch.
The Nationals are 8-2 in their last 10 road games. They are pegged at +650 to win this year’s World Series.
Betting on the New York Mets (30-35)
Starting for the Mets in the second game of this four-game set is Steven Matz (1-0, 1.29 ERA). He was spectacular in his season debut against the Atlanta Braves last Saturday, allowing just one run on five hits over seven innings of action. Matz showed no ill effects of the elbow injury he suffered near the end of spring training as he powered the Mets to an impressive 8-1 victory.
He’s been doing it all for the Mets since his return, even recording a pinch-hit RBI single in New York’s 9-4 victory against the Cubs on Wednesday. Manager Terry Collins’ decision to go with Matz instead of Yoenis Cespedes in that pinch-hit scenario proved to be a masterstroke for the Mets as that sparked a stunning eight-run rally for New York. The Mets have turned their season around lately, winning five of their last seven games.
Matz will need some help, though, if he is to beat the NL-East leading Nationals this coming Friday. Expected to do the heavy lifting for the Mets offense are Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto. Bruce has been on fire of late, going 10-of-28 in his last seven games with two homers and six RBIs. He has had some success against Washington starter Max Scherzer in the past, batting .308 in his career against the right-hander. Conforto, on the other hand, is having a spectacular year for the Mets, leading the team in batting average (.292) and on-base percentage (.410). He has six hits in 15 career at-bats against Scherzer with three homers and three RBIs.
The Mets are 4-6 in their last 10 home games. They are pegged at +2,500 to win this year’s World Series.
Writer’s Prediction
Washington (-155) wins, 6-2.
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