9th Sept - Nationals vs Mets

The Nationals started this three-game home series against the New York Mets probably viewing it as the perfect opportunity to gain ground on their rivals. Instead, it has been, close and well-played, but ultimately fruitless for Washington.

A six-run seventh was the culprit for a Nationals’ collapse on Tuesday when they seemed to have the game in hand. They’d end up losing it 8-7 despite outhitting their rivals.

The pressure is on Stephen Strasburg on the mound tonight. The 27-year old hasn’t been the superstar pitcher that Washington needs him to be so far this season, he’s still got some lingering back problems too.

He doesn’t face any easy match-up tonight either going up against Jacob De Grom, who is 12-7 on the season with a 2.40 ERA. De Grom has struggled a little during in recent games, he hasn’t won any of his last three starts and has posted an ERA just a little under seven.

It’s the hitting that is making the Mets dangerous right now, the front of the lineup quartet of Curtis Granderson, Yoenis Cespedes, Daniel Murphy and David Wright is up there with the most effective in the MLB right now. There’s still 20 games for a free-fall to happen, but the signs suggest that no such collapse is looming for this ball club.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Neither pitcher has their best stuff

We don’t see either pitcher throwing their best stuff or having the control to turn this into a low-scoring duel type of a game. Instead, even relatively good pitching from these two guys should yield some runs.

2. Quality hitting

We’ve already mentioned the top of New York’s lineup, which is a dangerous group, but Washington doesn’t possess a bunch of slouches either. They didn’t score the runs that they should have done on Tuesday (or Monday for that matter), but expect Bryce Harper and co to strike back with some scoring on Wednesday.

3. Heat of the moment

De Grom is the type of pitcher who incites a little extra emotion and this series has felt like a big one all the way through. We’ll anticipate a couple of errors and expect the unexpected – strange things have a way of happening in big games.