Nationals vs Mets Prediction 5/20/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Mets prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, May 20th 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 24-25 this year after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 7-16 and 9-6. In game two, Washington erased a 5-0 deficit by scoring the next nine runs for the win. The Nationals recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Wood, who went 3-5 with one home run and four RBIs. Griffin allowed eight hits and five earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while Lovelady picked up the save. Prior to this series, Washington won two out of three against the Orioles and two out of three against the Reds. 

This season, Washington has a 5.06 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP and a .260 opponent batting average, while they have scored 271 runs with a .245 batting average and a .326 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with nine home runs and 39 RBIs, while James Wood has added 13 home runs and 34 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Zack Littell, who is 2-4 with a 6.10 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 41.1 innings pitched this year. 

New York Mets Betting Preview

The New York Mets are 21-27 this season after they lost game two by a score of 9-6 last night. New York led 5-0 in the second inning, but only scored one run in the last seven innings for the loss. The Mets recorded 10 hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Bichette, who went 2-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. McLean allowed eight hits and six earned runs over 5.2 innings for the loss, while Duarte closed out the game. Prior to this series, New York won two out of three against the Yankees and all three against the Tigers. 

This season, New York has a 3.82 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and a .233 opponent batting average, while they have scored 198 runs with a .232 batting average and a .298 on base percentage. Mark Vientos has led the Mets with six home runs and 22 RBIs, while Bo Bichette has added five home runs and 25 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for New York is Zach Thornton, who is making his first appearance of the season. 

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Mets.
• The Mets have lost seven of their last eight road games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Mets have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last 10 road games against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in four of their last five night games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Mets have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games as favorites.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five night games against opponents that held a losing record.

Why the New York Mets will win

• The Mets have won each of their last eight night games against the Nationals following a loss.
• The Nationals have lost each of their last eight night games at Nationals Park following a win.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as home underdogs following a win.
• The Mets have covered the run line in each of their last five night games following a loss.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four night games at Nationals Park against National League opponents.
• The Mets have won the first inning in six of their last eight night games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Nationals’ last five games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Mets’ last four games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Mets’ last 11 night games at Nationals Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Nationals’ last eight night games against NL East opponents.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Keibert Ruiz has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances.
• Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in seven of his last eight home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Nasim Nunez ranks T1st in the league in Steals (20) this season.

New York Mets Player Prop Facts

• Bo Bichette has hit at least one home run in three of the Mets’ last four 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 (271).
• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for doubles this season (98).
• The Mets rank 30th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.360).
• The Mets rank 28th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.298).

Nationals vs Mets Prediction 

New York comes into this matchup after winning three of their last four games and they have scored 6+ runs in four straight. The Mets are 10-14 on the road this year, while the Nationals are 9-15 at home. Washington has won three of their last five games and they have scored 16 runs in their last two. The Nats are starting Littell, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight outings, but doesn’t pitch many innings. The Mets are starting Thornton, who is making his first start of the year. I don’t trust Littell or the Nationals bullpen, so give me the Mets here.