Nationals vs Mets Prediction 5/18/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Mets prediction for this MLB game on Monday, May 18th at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 23-24 this year after they won two out of three against the Orioles by scores of 3-2, 13-3, and 3-7. In game three, Washington cut the deficit to 6-3 in the seventh, but couldn’t get any closer in the loss. The Nationals recorded nine hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Young, who went 1-2 with one home run and one RBI. Lovelady opened the game and picked up the loss, while Mikolas allowed six hits and four earned runs over 5.2 innings. Prior to that series, Washington won two out of three against the Reds, but lost two out of three against the Marlins before that. 

This season, Washington has a 4.95 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP and a .257 opponent batting average, while they have scored 255 runs with a .244 batting average and a .324 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with nine home runs and 38 RBIs, while James Wood has added 12 home runs and 29 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Jake Irvin, who is 1-4 with a 5.91 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP over 42.2 innings pitched this year. 

New York Mets Betting Preview

The New York Mets are 20-26 this season after they won two out of three against the Yankees by scores of 2-5, 6-3, and 7-6. In game three, New York tied the game in the bottom of the ninth and they scored the only run in the 10th for the win. The Mets recorded 11 hits and they committed one error, while they were led by Taylor, who went 1-3 with one home run and three RBIs in the game. Peralta allowed two hits and three earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Williams picked up the win in relief. Prior to that series, New York won all three against the Tigers, but lost two out of three against the Diamondbacks before that. 

This season, New York has a 3.76 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while they have scored 176 runs with a .227 batting average and a .295 on base percentage. Mark Vientos has led the Mets with six home runs and 22 RBIs, while Bo Bichette has added two home runs and 18 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for New York is Christian Scott, who is 0-0 with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP over 15.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Mets have lost seven of their last eight games as road favorites following an extra innings win.
• The Nationals have won each of their last six night games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last 10 night games following a loss.
• The Mets have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as road favorites following an extra innings win.
• The Mets have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games.
• The Nationals have won the first inning in each of their last four home games against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five home games.

Why the New York Mets will win

• The Nationals have lost each of their last 10 Monday night home games against NL East opponents.
• The Mets have won each of their last four night games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 Monday night home games against NL East opponents.
• The road team has covered the run line in four of the last five games between the Mets and Nationals.
• The Mets have led after 3 innings in six of their last seven road games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Mets have won the first inning in five of their last six night games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Mets’ last 10 road games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Four of the Nationals’ last five home games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Mets’ last nine night games at Nationals Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last six night games against NL East opponents.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Jacob Young has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last two games.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last seven night games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (19) this season.

New York Mets Player Prop Facts

• Juan Soto has hit a home run in four of the Mets’ last five night games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• Francisco Lindor has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 20 appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (255).
• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for doubles this season (91).
• The Mets rank 30th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.349).
• The Mets rank 29th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.295).

Nationals vs Mets Prediction 

New York comes into this matchup after winning five of their last six games and they are coming off of a great series win over the Yankees. The Mets are 9-13 on the road this year, while the Nationals are 8-14 at home. Washington has won three of their last five games, but they have allowed at least seven runs in three of those five. The Nationals are starting Irvin, who has allowed nine earned runs over his last 8.0 innings, while Scott has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all four starts, but doesn’t go very deep into games. I don’t like either pitcher, but the Mets finally have some momentum and I like them to win here.