<p>It’s the 51-36 Washington Nationals vs. the 47-38 New York Mets in New York tonight July 8, 2016. The first pitch is scheduled to be tossed at Citi Field at 7:10 PM ET.
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<p>In the first game of this four game series the Mets beat the Nationals 9-7. The New York bats were hot scoring their nine runs on 15 hits while the Nationals scored seven runs on 12 hits.
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<p>The Nationals have lost three of their last four games and they have seen their lead over the Mets in the NL East dwindle to three games. They are led by their pitching, which ranks 2nd in the Majors in team ERA and their offense ranks a respectable 11th in runs scored.
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<p>The Mets have won seven of their last eight games including their last two. Their offense only ranks 28th in runs scored, but in their last eight games they have averaged nearly seven runs per game. New York’s pitching is their strength ranking 3rd in team ERA.
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<h2>Pitching Match Up </h2>
<p>Washington: Stephen Strasburg (11-0, 2.71 ERA)<br><br />
New York: Noah Syndergaard (9-3, 2.41 ERA)</p>
<p>Stephen Strasburg goes for the Nationals tonight and he had a great last start not giving up any earned runs in six innings in a 12-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The Nationals have won his last three starts and in his 15 starts this season they have only lost once. Strasburg ranks 3rd in the NL in wins and 5th in strikeouts. The Nationals are 8-3 in his last 11 starts against the Mets and 4-0 in his last four starts facing them in New York.
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<p>Noah Syndergaard gets the nod for the Mets and he also had a solid last outing only giving up one earned run in seven innings in a 14-3 win over the Chicago Cubs. The Mets have won five of his last six starts. Syndergaard ranks 4th in the NL in ERA, 5th in strikeouts, and 7th in wins. He has faced the Nationals twice this season and in his first one he was solid in a Mets’ win, but in his last one in late June he had his worst outing of the season giving up five earned runs in only three innings in a 11-4 Washington win. The Mets are 5-1 in Syndergaard’s last 6 home starts.
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<h2>Handicapping Angles </h2>
<ul>
<li>The Nationals are 38-15 in their last 53 games against the Mets in New York.</li>
<li>In the last 13 games between these teams in New York the Under record is 9-4.</li>
<li>This season the Mets are 26-17 at home and the Nationals are 24-21 on the road.</li>
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<h2>STRAIGHT UP / OVER/UNDER / RUN LINE RECORDS </h2>
<p>Washington Nationals: 51-36 SU / O/U 44-37 / Run Line W/L 44-43<br><br />
New York Mets: 47-38 SU / O/U 39-44 / Run Line W/L 36-49</p>
<h2>Washington at New York Key Betting Trends </h2>
<ul>
<li>WASH is 1-8 in their last 9 road games.</li>
<li>WASH is 0-4 in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning record.</li>
<li>WASH has an Over record of 12-5-1 in their last 18 games.</li>
<li>NY is 7-1 in their last 8 overall.</li>
<li>NY is 9-1 in their last 10 home games.</li>
<li>NY has an Over record of 3-0-1 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.</li>
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<h2>Key Player Injuries </h2>
<p>METS<br><br />
[P] 07/06/2016 - Matt Harvey 15-day DL (7/6) ( Shoulder )<br><br />
[P] 06/22/2016 - Jim Henderson 15-day DL (6/19) ( Bicep )<br><br />
[3B] 06/03/2016 - David Wright 60-day DL (5/30), out for season ( Neck )<br><br />
[1B] 05/24/2016 - Lucas Duda 15-day DL (5/21) ( Back )<br><br />
[P] 04/04/2016 - Zack Wheeler 60-day DL (3/25) ( Elbow )</p>
<p>NATIONALS<br><br />
[P] 07/03/2016 - Joe Ross 15-day DL (7/3) ( Shoulder )<br><br />
[1B] 07/07/2016 - Ryan Zimmerman is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. New York Mets ( Rest )<br><br />
[P] 03/31/2016 - Aaron Barrett 60-day DL (4/1) ( Elbow )</p>