Saturday, September 13, 2014

Citi Field in Queens

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The first place team in the National League East division will travel to Citi Field in New York to take on a team near the bottom of the division. The Washington Nationals will square off with the New York Mets, with the latter hoping to play spoiler and keep the visiting team from officially eliminating them from contention in the division. The Nationals will send right-hander Doug Fister (13-6) to the mound to take on right-hander Zack Wheeler (10-9).

In his first season with the Nationals, Fister has excelled and has been a major reason why the team is comfortably in first place. He currently has a 2.53 ERA, which would be third in the NL if he had enough innings thrown. The 30-year-old from California has gone just 5-4 in his last 10 starts after starting the season 8-2. Heading into his last start, he had lost 3 straight, but rebounded nicely against the Atlanta Braves, shutting them out and allowing just 2 hits with 3 walks. In his career against the current Mets, he has allowed 22 hits in 88 at-bats.

Wheeler is one of the stars of the future for the Mets. He has been solid all season long, but has especially been good in recent months. He is 5-1 in his last 10 starts and has seen his ERA drop to a season-best 3.38. In his career against current Washington players, he has allowed 38 hits in 130 at-bats with Denard Span, Jayson Werth, and Ryan Zimmerman having the most success.

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

Washington Nationals are 72-60-12 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Washington Nationals is 0.7

New York Mets Betting Trends

New York Mets are 64-65-17 against the Over/Under

Run differential for New York Mets is 0

Injuries to Watch

Washington Nationals

09/11/14 3B Anthony Rendon Illness questionable
08/07/14 P Taylor Jordan Elbow 60-day DL (8/5)
08/05/14 LF Nate McLouth Shoulder 60-day DL (8/2); out for season
07/25/14 P Matt Purke Elbow 60-day DL (7/25)
07/23/14 LF Ryan Zimmerman Hamstring 15-day DL (7/22)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)

New York Mets

09/10/14 3B David Wright Shoulder out for season
08/28/14 P Victor Black Neck 15-day DL (8/24)
04/01/14 P Bobby Parnell Elbow 15-day DL (4/1), out for season
03/28/14 P Matt Harvey Elbow 60-day DL (3/30), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take New York

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