New York Mets vs Washington Nationals Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 8/16/26, 10:12 AM  by Bill Christy | Modified on 8/18/26 at 11:16 AM in MLB Picks

The Washington Nationals are looking to avoid the sweep this afternoon as they take on the New York Mets. A loss will bring the Mets within 3.5 games of climbing out of the bottom of the NL East division.

In game one, it was all about pitching for the Mets in the 4-1 victory. Robert Stock got the start but went just 4.1 innings. He allowed 1 unearned run in that stretch prior to the bullpen coming in and completely shutting the Nationals down. Jared Young and Francisco Lindor each homered in the win.

Game two was a much tighter contest. The Mets jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st after Jared Young hit a 2-run double. The Nationals fought back and took a 4-2 lead in the 6th off a Brady House 3-run home run. After a Carson Benge homer brought the Mets within 1 in the bottom of the 6th, they entered their final at-bat down 4-3. Francisco Alvarez doubled in Cristian Pache to tie, and Francisco Lindor hit an RBI single to walk it off for the 5-4 win.

Today, Jake Irvin will start for Washington, and he has not been very good this season. He is just 2-6 with a 5.79 ERA and has allowed 12 runs over his last 3 starts.