The Mets will start RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 3.24) in the series opener against Nationals RHP Paolo Espino (3-3, 3.66). The Nationals lead the season series 5-3, but the Mets are 2-1 at home. These teams haven’t played a series since Washington took three-of-four at home in mid-June.
New Look Nationals Struggling
The Nationals were sellers at the deadline, with Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and others being dealt. With young guys in new spots, the team has struggled, going 3-7 over the last 10 games. In that span, they have a 5.01 ERA and have been outscored by 14 runs.
Josh Bell leads the players left on the Nats with 19 homers and 60 RBI. Juan Soto has a .499 slugging percentage to go with 18 homers and a .297 average.
Espino has faced the Mets twice this season, with a start on June 28 and a relief appearance on April 24. In the start, he allowed five hits over five shutout innings. Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil are both 1-for-3 against Espino, while Dominic Smith is 1-for-2.
Espino took a loss on Wednesday against Philadelphia. He allowed a season-worst six runs on eight hits over five innings. Espino struck out three, walked one, and allowed a home run.
Mets In Tailspin
The Mets have lost four games in a row and seven of the last eight. They dropped series against the Reds, Marlins, and Phillies to fall out of first place. The under has hit in four straight Mets games as they have scored just seven runs in those games.
Javy Baez is 6-for-34 (.176) since the trade, and he left early over the weekend with an injury. He was injured while swinging the bat, and with the Mets having Monday off, his status for this series is questionable. With Francisco Lindor also out injured, the Mets have been inconsistent in their lineups.
Carrasco has pitched twice since coming off the IL at the end of July. Last time out, he took a no-decision as the Mets won in Miami on Wednesday. Carrasco allowed two runs on five hits over 4 ⅓ innings while striking out five.
Carrasco has nine strikeouts and one walk in 8 1/3 innings this season. He has some history against the Nationals lineup, but no current Washington player has a home run against him. Alcides Escobar is 3-for-21 (.143), and Josh Bell is 2-for-6 as the only players with more than two at-bats against Carrasco.
Betting Analysis
- Nationals +185 moneyline. +1.5 (-110) run line.
- Mets -225 moneyline -1.5 (-105) run line
- Total: 8.5 runs O -105 U -115
The Mets haven’t scored more than five runs in any of the last 10 games, and the Nationals have topped five just twice in that span. Both teams are struggling overall with a combined two wins in their last 15 games. Look for the bats to stay quiet in this series opener.
FREE PICK: Under 8.5 runs (-115)