In the last of a three-game series between the Washington Nationals (1-1) and the New York Mets (1-1) at Nationals Park, Stephen Strasburg (14-11, 3.14 ERA) and Matt Harvey (0-0, 0.00 ERA) get the start. The Nationals won the last game 2-1 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 9 and will air on SNY and MASN.
Strasburg is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA and 0.95 WHIP against the Mets in his career. Bryce Harper (.571 ) continued his strong start to the season yesterday, going 2 for 3. In his pitching opportunities against the Nationals, Harvey is 1-1 with a 1.00 ERA, 35 strikeouts and seven walks. Travis d’Arnaud (.429 ) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one RBI.
Washington is a -142 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at six runs. The Nationals lead the NL in ERA with a 0.00 team average. The Nationals are second in the NL in hits allowed with just 5.0 per game.
The Mets are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 1.00 ERA this season. They also average just 3.0 hits allowed per game, best in the NL.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM, O/U – Over
Notes
The Mets lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Nationals are 1-0. The Mets are 0-1 in close games this season.
After a weak showing last week where they got in seven hits, the Nationals need to step it up. The Mets have a record of 1-1 when opponents get seven hits or fewer.
The Nationals and the Mets are both 0-1 when they are outhit.
Ranking 21st in home runs, New York has hit zero this season. Washington ranks fifth with two home runs.
Washington and New York both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Washington sits at 14th with 3.00 hits per game and New York ranks 11th with 5.00.
Ranking 24th, New York is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.411). Washington ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .519.
