The New York Mets (26-31) plays the Washington Nationals (23-34) in the first of a seven-inning doubleheader, Saturday, in National Park at 3:05 p.m. ET. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Mets-Nationals MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Season series: New York leads 4-3.
Playoff picture: New York is 2.5 games behind the Giants for the eighth and final playoff spot, with the Brewers and Phillies ahead of them. Washington is eliminated from postseason contention.
Mets at Nationals: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Jacob deGrom vs. RHP Max Scherzer
deGrom: 4-2 with a 2.14 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 13.4 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 63 IP over 11 GS.
- Last start: Loss, 2-1, with 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 14 K and 2 BB against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 21.
- Career vs. Nationals: 8-4 with a 2.50 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 150 K and 33 BB in 119 IP over 19 GS.
- Career in National Park: 7-1 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 78 K and 15 BB in 65 2/3 IP over 10 GS.
Scherzer: 4-4 with a 3.67 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 12.5 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 61 1/3 IP over 11 GS.
- Last start: Loss, 2-1, with 5 2/3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER (2 runs), 6 K and 2 BB at the Miami Marlins on Sept. 20.
- Career vs. Mets: 11-5 with a 2.63 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 191 K and 34 BB in 144 IP over 23 G (22 GS).
- 2020 home splits: 1-2 with a 4.40 ERA (2.93 ERA in road starts) and a 1.30 WHIP (1.47 WHIP at home).
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Mets at Nationals: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Mets
- OF Michael Conforto (hamstring) out
- OF Jake Marisnick (hamstring) out
Nationals
- 2B Starlin Castro (wrist) out
- OF Adam Eaton (finger) out
- 2B Howie Kendrick (hamstring) out
- SS Carter Kieboom (hand) out
Mets at Nationals: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:15 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Mets 3, Nationals 0
Money line (ML)
It’s a shame the Nationals (+130) are eliminated from playoff contention because this should be an epic pitchers duel. deGrom is right smack in the middle of his prime and starting to rise the all-time rankings. Scherzer was one of the best pitchers of the 2010s, and a future Hall of Famer, but is having a down year.
It’s an expensive-ish price but deGrom is the best in the biz right now and I refuse to overthink this. BET METS (-143) since they are still alive in the NL postseason race. New to sports betting? A $143 bet on the Mets (-143) pays a $100 profit if New York beats Washington.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
I’ll splash on METS -1.5 (+135) for a small play because Scherzer has pitched worse in his home park compared to the road and the Mets’ lineup is legit whereas the Nationals +1.5 (-167) are banged up.
Truthfully, I’d put a 1/4th unit on the run line here say $25 to win $33.75 if New York beats Washington by two or more runs. Aside from Friday’s 3-2 win, the Mets have beaten the Nationals by a combined 13 runs in there other three victories.
Over/Under (O/U)
This will be a narrow runway to land but I’d TAKE UNDER 5 (-121). The market is hammering the Under hence the more expensive price point. They’re two superstars pitchers and their competitiveness alone should keep this tight. This is a rare case when a sports fan will root for an Under.
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