Mets vs Nationals Series Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions
Division rivals Mets, Nationals Open with four-game series
Mets Look To Get off to Strong Start Even without deGrom
In a perfect world, it would be Jacob deGrom and Steven Strasburg matching up in an enticing pitching matchup on the first day of the Major League Baseball season. However, both the Mets and Nationals will begin the year without their pitching aces, which will impact the MLB lines.
The Mets are second to the reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves in the NL East predictions. Will New York live up to the hype after falling short of expectations a season ago? Getting four games against a 97-loss Washington team could be the perfect way to build up some early confidence.
Let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB odds for Mets vs Nationals. We’ve plenty of MLB predictions.
Mets Ready To Turn Things Around?
With one winning season over the last five years, it’s hard to blame New York Mets fans for being a little impatient.
The Mets added a future Hall of Famer to their pitching rotation with the arrival of Max Scherzer while the duo of Mark Canha and Starling Marte joins a lineup that already includes former Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Dominic Smith and Jeff McNeil.
The Mets already took a major hit with deGrom out for multiple weeks and there have been questions about Scherzer’s health as well. The starting rotation looks much different without those two. It looks like Tylor Megill will be the starting pitcher on Thursday (weather permitting) with Scherzer making his Mets’ debut on Friday.
“As long as deGrom progresses slowly, you should expect a full recovery of his prior pitching performance with respect to both velocity and control.”@SportMDAnalysis weighs in on what the Mets could expect when Jacob deGrom returns (via @DannyAbriano) https://t.co/gB7gWwBO8F pic.twitter.com/LABdPF7ze7
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 5, 2022
The Mets haven’t shied away from spending money since Steven Cohen became the owner and proven winner Buck Showalter is now the manager.
There is a reason for optimism and facing a rebuilding Washington team to start the season could help the Mets get the season off to a strong start.
The Las Vegas odds total has gone over in eight of Boston’s last nine games and in four of the last six contests on the road.
Nationals’ Soto needs some help
National League Most Valuable Player front-runner Juan Soto can do it all but he can’t do it by himself.
Washington went out and got 41-year-old designated hitter Nelson Cruz who has more than 30 homers in each of the last seven full MLB seasons. Lane Thomas showed some promise after being acquired from St. Louis, Josh Bell had 27 homers in his first season with the Nationals but after that?
The season will begin without the services of the oft-injured Strasburg. Suggesting that the starting pitching staff looks a little shaky would be an understatement. Erick Fedde and Patrick Corbin have thrown well in spring training but there are concerns with the other spots in the rotation. A team ERA over 6 in the spring is not a good sign. Corbin is slated to be the opening-day starter.
The MLB live betting total has gone under in four of the Yankees’ last six games at home.
Mets vs Nationals Head-to-Head
The Mets won seven of eight games before the Nationals won two of the last three meetings during the 2021 season.
The Mets scored 11 and 13 runs in a span of three games against Washington late in the season and have won the last six games in the series decided by more than one run. Something to keep in mind for those who bet online, Washington has won the last three one-run games against the Mets.
Mets vs Nationals Game Information
- Game: Mets (77-85 in 2021) vs Nationals (65-97 in 2021)
- Location: Nationals Park
- Day/Time: Thursday, April 7th, 4:05 p.m. ET (teams also play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
- Mets vs Nationals live stream: MLB TV
Mets vs Nationals Betting Lines
| Team | Run Line | Moneyline | Total |
| New York Mets / T. Megill -R | -1½ +125 | -122 | 9-115o |
| Washington Nationals / P. Corbin -L | +1½ -145 | +112 | 9-105u |
Mets vs Nationals Prediction
The Mets come into the season with much loftier goals than the Nationals. It is worth watching how the pitching staffs fare without their injured aces.
The Mets are considered to be a potential playoff team and getting to meet Washington, which nearly lost 100 games a season ago, could help New York get off to a good start.
The MLB picks favor the Mets in this season-opening series.
