New York Mets vs Washington Nationals Betting Pick & Prediction for 5/20

MLB game preview

The New York Mets travel to Nationals Park to play the Washington Nationals in an MLB regular season game. The Mets hold a 21-27 record and are ranked fifth in the NL East division. They have a recent streak of one loss and have gone 6-4 in their last ten games.

The Nationals have a record of 24-25 and sit third in the same division. They recently snapped a losing streak with a win, going 5-5 in their last ten games. This game is set for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:45 PM, with the weather expected to be clear and very hot.

New York Mets Team Preview

The New York Mets are set to play their next game with Zach Thornton as their starting pitcher. Thornton has not pitched yet this season. The Mets will look to him to set the tone on the mound.

In recent games, Bo Bichette has been a key player for the Mets. Bichette hit two home runs in their last game against the Nationals, driving in four runs. His contributions will be important for the team’s offense.

The Mets have had mixed results in their recent games. They won two out of their last five games, including a high-scoring 16-7 victory against the Nationals. With a team batting average of .232, the Mets rank 15th in the league.

Mets vs Nationals Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals
  • Venue: Nationals Park in Washington, DC
  • Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Mets Moneyline -129, Nationals Moneyline +108

Washington Nationals Team Preview

The Washington Nationals have shown mixed results in their recent games. They scored a big 9-6 win against the New York Mets on May 19th. James Wood was a standout, going 3 for 5 with a home run and 4 RBIs.

In the 2026 season, the Nationals’ hitting stats place them in the middle of the pack. Their batting average is .245, ranking them 7th in the league. They lead in doubles with 98, showing a strong extra-base hitting capability.

Zack Littell is set to start for the Nationals in the next game. He has a 6.10 ERA and has struck out 20 batters this season. The team will look for a solid performance from him to improve their pitching rankings.

BTB Betting Pick

The Mets are favored on the moneyline at -129. Their pitching has a strong earned run average of 3.82, ranked 10th, which gives them an edge. The Mets’ ability to strike out batters is also impressive, with 455 strikeouts ranking 3rd. We recommend picking the Mets to win the game with a projected score of Mets 5, Nationals 3.

The total for the game is set at 9.5 runs. The Nationals have a high earned run average of 5.08, which is 29th in the league. This suggests they may give up runs, but the Mets’ batting average is only .232, ranked 15th. We recommend taking the under 9.5, expecting a lower-scoring game.