The Washington Nationals return home on Monday after going 1-5 in their last two series on the road and will look to cool down the New York Mets.
New York Mets (-120, 8) vs. Washington Nationals
Getting the start on the mound for the Nationals is MacKenzie Gore, who has been far better than the surface level number of a 6-7 record and 3.60 ERA would indicate.
Gore has a 3.13 fielding independent with 10.5 strikeouts to three walks per nine innings and looks to keep the league’s best road scoring team in check.
The Mets are averaging over 5.6 runs per game in road games compared to 4.2 runs per game at home with their batting average of .276 on the road while entering Sunday with a .229 home batting average.
On the mound for the Mets will be David Peterson, whose strikeout numbers are down from previous seasons. To that end, he’s only posting 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings this season after averaging at least 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings each of the previous three seasons.
The team has won each of Peterson’s past four starts, but regression appears to be looming. He has issued 4.3 walks per nine innings this season, to go along with a 3.67 ERA and 5.00 fielding independent.
The Nationals have had difficulties hitting home runs all season, but have the ability to turn walks into a man in scoring position with ease as they are third among MLB teams in stolen bases.
With Sean Reid-Foley and Edwin Diaz not available on Monday for a bullpen that entered Sunday 12th in the league in ERA while the Nationals are 17th, it will allow the Nationals to generate enough run support to get Gore a win.
The Play: Nationals +100
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