Noah Syndergaard (12-7, 2.55 ERA) and A.J. Cole (0-1, 4.97 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the New York Mets (69-65) and the Washington Nationals (78-55) at Citi Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 2 and can be seen on MAS2 and SNY.
Syndergaard pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out seven and walking two in a 12-1 win over the Phillies. Jay Bruce (.251, 67 Rs, 28 HRs, 88 RBIs, 4 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Cole went 5.2 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking three in a 9-4 defeat to the Rockies in his last outing.
The odds for New York and Washington are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Within its division, New York has a record of 28-25 SU. The Mets have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 5.6 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 3.9 runs per game. The Mets are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with 180.
The Nationals are 38-16 against NL East opponents. The Nationals allow just 3.8 runs per game, ranking them second in the NL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Nationals are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.176 for the season.
The Nationals have controlled the season series, 9-4. The Mets have a 52-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Cole takes the mound. Syndergaard (RHP) will be on the hill against the Nationals, who have a 60-42 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – WAS
Notes
The Nationals won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Mets are 21-18. The Nationals are 21-15 in close games this season.
The Mets managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Nationals who are coming in with a 29-11 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Mets are 18-50. The Nationals have a 13-32 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking seventh in home runs, Washington has hit 176 this season. New York ranks fourth with 180 home runs.
Ranking 12th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.14 per game. Washington ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.71.
Ranking 22nd, New York is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.727). Washington ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .761.
When the Nationals allow at least one home run, they are 44-44. When the Mets allow one or more homers, they have a 32-47 record.
