New York Mets vs Washington Nationals Betting Pick & Prediction for 5/21

MLB game preview

The New York Mets will play against the Washington Nationals in an MLB regular season game. This game is set for Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 4:05 PM. Nationals Park in Washington, DC, will host the game with weather conditions expected to be mild with light rain and a breeze.

The Mets enter the game with a record of 21-28 and are in 5th place in the NL East. They have lost their last two games. On the other side, the Nationals hold a 25-25 record and are ranked 2nd in the division. They have won their last two games. David Peterson will start for the Mets, while Cade Cavalli takes the mound for the Nationals.

New York Mets Team Preview

The New York Mets are coming off a series of away games against the Washington Nationals. In their latest game, they lost 8-4, with Zach Thornton as the starting pitcher. Thornton pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed four earned runs.

The Mets’ bats have been active, hitting three home runs in their game on May 19th, despite losing 9-6. Bo Bichette and Juan Soto have been key contributors, with Soto hitting two home runs in the game on May 20th. The team’s overall batting average stands at .232, ranking 15th in the league.

David Peterson is expected to start the next game for the Mets. This season, he holds a 2-4 record with a 5.40 ERA and 46 strikeouts. The Mets will aim to improve their pitching performance, as their earned run average is currently 3.91, ranked 11th 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: Thursday, May 21, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Mets Moneyline -115, Nationals Moneyline -105

Washington Nationals Team Preview

The Washington Nationals have shown strong hitting in recent games. On May 20th, they secured a win against the New York Mets with a score of 8-4. CJ Abrams and Jacob Young each hit a home run, contributing to the team’s 10 hits and 5 extra-base hits.

The Nationals’ batting has been consistent, with a team batting average of .246, ranking 5th in the league. They lead the league in doubles with 101. CJ Abrams stands out with a batting average of .300, 10 home runs, and 42 RBIs this season.

On the pitching side, Cade Cavalli is set to start the next game. He holds a 2-2 record with a 4.05 ERA and 52 strikeouts this season. The Nationals’ overall pitching ranks lower, with a team ERA of 5.06, placing them 29th in the league.

BTB Betting Pick

The Mets are favored on the moneyline at -115. Their pitching ranks 11th in ERA, while the Nationals rank 29th. The Mets’ pitching strength gives them an edge, making them the pick to win this game. The projected score is Mets 5, Nationals 4.

The total for this game is set at 8.5 runs. The Nationals have a higher slugging percentage and more home runs than the Mets. This suggests potential for runs, but the Mets’ strong pitching could limit scoring. The pick is under 8.5 runs, with a projected total score of 9.