Mets Host Nationals in 3-Game Series

Can Mets Stay in MLB Playoff Race?

The Washington Nationals and the New York Mets will meet on Friday night in what could be a key game in the National League Wildcard race. The Mets took advantage of a weak spot in the schedule. They were able to jump back into the wild card race. Now they get a chance to prove themselves against stronger competition. They get to play 31 of their next 34 games against teams with winning records. It starts tonight in the opener of a three-game series against the Nationals.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), SNY (New York); LINE: Nationals -125; O/U: 8 Under -115.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (14-5, 3.72 ERA) vs. Mets RH Marcus Stroman (6-11, 3.07)

The Mets have won 13 of its last 14 games. Every single one of them against teams under .500. They were able to claw within a half-game of the second NL wild card and is coming off a four-game sweep of the Miami Marlins.

The Nationals enter play Thursday two games ahead of the pack for the first NL Wild Card. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Giants in San Francisco. The pitching staff surrendered a total of four runs in the series. Stephen Strasburg will try to keep that run going for Washington on Friday while the Mets turn to righty Marcus Stroman in search of a seventh consecutive victory.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The Nationals' Strasburg had a string of wins in seven straight starts come to an end recently. He was knocked around for nine runs on as many hits in 4-2/3 innings in a loss at Arizona on Saturday. The former No. 1 overall pick served up three home runs in that outing. He had not surrendered a blast in his previous six starts. Strasburg is making his fourth start against New York this season. He is 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA in the first three chances. OF Adam Eaton has totaled 10 runs scored in the last eight games.

The Mets' Stroman is making his first home start since arriving via trade from the Toronto Blue Jays. He is searching for his first win in a Mets uniform after struggling in his debut. He was touched for three runs on seven hits. He had a pair of walks in 4-1/3 innings at Pittsburgh on Saturday and did not factor in the decision. Stroman has yielded three or fewer earned runs in each of his final seven starts for Toronto. He faces Washington for the first time in his career. OF Michael Conforto is 4-for-6 with three home runs and six RBI's in the last two games.

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The Dart Throw: Nationals 3, Mets 1

Nationals vs Mets Betting Odds & Trends

Washington Nationals
Washington is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games
Washington is 17-8 ATS in its last 25 games on the road
Washington is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Washington's last 16 games on the road
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing NY Mets
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets

New York Mets
NY Mets is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
NY Mets is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
NY Mets is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home
NY Mets is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
NY Mets is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing Washington
NY Mets is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
NY Mets is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing at home against Washington

Next up:
Washington at New York Saturday, August 10

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