Jon Niese (2-1, 2.74 ERA) takes the mound for the New York Mets (16-8) as they go up against Gio Gonzalez (1-2, 5.01 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (10-14) in the third of a four-game series at Citi Field. The Mets won the last game 4-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 2 and will air on MASN and PIX11.
Niese is 3-3 with a 3.41 ERA against the Nationals in his career, and faces a struggling Washington offense that’s hitting just .235 on the year. Juan Lagares (.305, 13 Rs, 11 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. In his pitching opportunities against the Mets, Gonzalez is 7-4 with a 3.13 ERA, 78 strikeouts and 29 walks.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. Against teams in the NL East, the Mets have an SU record of 14-6. The Mets have one of the most prolific home offenses in the entire NL, averaging 5.0 runs per game. As for the pitching staff, the Mets are fifth in the league in WHIP at 1.11.
Against divisional rivals, the Nationals are 8-9 SU.
The Mets are 3-2 against the Nationals this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM, O/U – Over
Notes
New York won its last game in a shutout, its second of the season. Washington has been shut out two times this season.
In extra innings, the Nationals are 2-1.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Nationals are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Mets have a 2-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Nationals are 7-1. The Mets have a 9-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 11th in runs, New York has earned 101 this season. Washington ranks ninth with 103 runs.
New York and Washington both rank in the top 10 of the league in walks. New York sits at ninth with 75 this season and Washington ranks sixth with 78.
When the Mets hit at least one home run, they are 9-3. When the Nationals hit at least one homer, they have an 8-6 record.
