New York Mets at Washington Nationals 9/5/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

NL East Division rivals will clash on Sunday afternoon, when the New York Mets and the Washington National wrap up their series from the nation’s capital. In the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, New York blew a nine-run lead before defeating Washington by an 11-9 final score. Francisco Lindor’s two-run blast was the difference for the Mets, (68-67), who have won six games in a row.

All-Star righty Taijuan Walker (7-9 3.89 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets in this matchup. Through 134 plus innings, Walker has struck out 123 batters and owns a solid 1.16 WHIP.

The Washington Nationals are six games below .500 at home and have fallen into last place in the division standings. In the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, Lane Thomas and Alcides Escobar both homered to lead Washington to a 4-3 home victory. SP Josh Rogers (1-0) allowed three runs in five plus innings to earn the win for the Nationals (56-79).

Rookie right-hander Josiah Gray (0-2 4.73 ERA) will make his eighth career major league start. Last time out, Gray was tagged for six runs in four innings during a 7-4 home loss versus Philadelphia.