Mets at Nationals 3/28/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

NL East Division rivals will clash on Opening Day, when the New York Mets invade the nation’s capital to face the Washington Nationals. The Mets underachieved in manager Mickey Callaway’s first year at the helm and finished eight games below .500 overall. Newly hired GM Brodie Van Wagenen added several high-profile pieces, including 2B Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz, with the expectation for New York to be contenders.

Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom (10-9 1.70 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets in this matchup. New York rewarded deGrom with a five-year, 137.5 million dollar contract this week. The Washington Nationals lost OF Bryce Harper to Philadelphia in free agency, but still expect to contend in a highly competitive division. The Nationals won 82 games in 2018 and have reached the postseason in five of the last eight years. Twenty-year OF Juan Soto hit 22 home runs as a rookie and figures to hit fourth in the Washington lineup.

Dominant right-hander Max Scherzer (18-7 2.53 ERA) enters this season as the favorite to dethrone deGrom for the Cy Young Award. Scherzer owns a career 1.10 WHIP and has struck out 2449 batters.