With one of the best pitching staffs in baseball Washington is a favorite to win it all in 2018. The Nats also boast consistent run production. This makes Washington a popular team to bet on MLB games with. The true test for the Nationals will come in the playoffs. Experts have it as a forgone conclusion that Washington will win the NL East. Conversely the New York Mets were derided as a rebuilding team for 2018. In the long run they lack the depth to keep pace with the best. Sunday night’s ESPN matchup features the Mets at the Nationals.
New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals
Date and Time: Sunday, April 8, 2018 8:08 p.m. ET
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Baseball Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click here!
Mets vs. Nationals TV Coverage: ESPN
New York Mets
The Mets are an early bet on MLB games surprise. New York won four of their first five games. Not much was expected from the Mets by sharps. Questions thus remain about their long-term profitability. Yoenis Cespedes has two home runs and six runs batted in. His OPS is 1.020 with a .278 average. After bouncing around three previous teams New York has provided a home. Cespedes has twice hit 30-plus home runs in a season. Twice he has also driven in 100 or more runs. Patrolling left field, he is a key cog in the Mets lineup.
Washington Nationals
Washington won four of their first six to start the season. Unlike New York winning is an expectation for the Nats. Offensively they rank third in MLB for runs scored. Pitching was far below expectations with a MLB rank of 21st. Center Fielder Adam Eaton was in top form early on. Eaton clobbered two doubles and two home runs in his first five games. His OPS was 1.288 with an average of .429. But Bryce Harper remains the top batsmen for Washington. Harper opened with four home runs and nine runs batted in. The right fielder added seven runs scored.
Manager vs Manager
Nats manager Dave Martinez is in his rookie season. He spent the past three seasons coaching under Joe Maddon with the Cubs. Dusty Baker was fired for not producing in the playoffs. Mickey Callaway is also a rookie manager for the Mets. He replaced the retired Terry Collins. He was a coach under Terry Francona at Cleveland from 2013-17. Both Martinez and Callaway tutored under two of the best in baseball. Martinez is in the better spot with more to work with. With that he faces the pressure of win or die come playoff time.
Team vs Team
Washington has dominated this online sportsbook series. In their last 20 games vs. the Mets the Nats paid 14 times. Four of the last six in this series have gone over the total. Washington has won four of their last six home games vs. New York. Four of the last five between these teams at Nationals Park went over the total.
Matchup to Watch
This matchup will bring a big price on the Nats. But the Mets are a reach to bet on MLB games with. Despite the good start long term math is problematic for them. Washington has superior depth in this matchup.
Mets vs. Nationals Betting Odds Picks
Washington won’t be cheap but is the better pick.
Mets. vs. Nationals Betting Online Pick: Washington Nationals
Mets vs. Nationals Betting Online Prediction: Nationals 5, Mets 3
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