Washington Nationals vs New York Mets Prediction 8/16/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Mets Prediction for this MLB matchup on Sunday, August 16th in the third game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

New York Mets Preview

The New York Mets have a 55-69 record this season and are sitting in 5th place in the NL East. They have a 27-34 home record and are coming off a 5-4 home win against the Nationals. They will face the Padres and the White Sox next.

The New York Mets have a .235 batting average this season, a .307 OBP, and a .389 slugging percentage. The Mets’ pitching staff has a 4.10 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Carson Benge leads the Mets with a .275 batting average. Bo Bichette leads the team in RBI with 62, while Juan Soto adds a team-high 21 home runs.

Christian Scott (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Mets, and he has a 3-3 record, a 3.45 ERA, and a 1.30 WHIP.

Washington Nationals Preview

The Washington Nationals have a 60-65 record this season and are sitting in 4th place in the NL East. They have a 33-29 away record and are coming off a 4-5 away loss against the Mets. They will face the Rangers and the Marlins next.

The Washington Nationals have a .252 batting average this season, a .327 OBP, and a .439 slugging percentage. The Nationals’ pitching staff has a 4.73 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. CJ Abrams leads the Nationals with a .280 batting average and a team-high 91 RBI, while James Wood adds a team-high 30 home runs.

Jake Irvin (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 2-6 record, a 5.79 ERA, and a 1.32 WHIP.

Washington Nationals @ New York Mets Betting Trends: August 16, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Christian Scott      Record this season: 3-3      ERA: 3.45
• Home Record: 1-1
• Last 5 against Nationals: 0-0

Why the New York Mets will win

• The Nationals have lost 12 of their last 13 games against NL East opponents.
• The Mets have won each of their last five games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Mets have covered the run line in four of their last five games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Mets have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Mets have won the first inning in three of their last four day games against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Mets have led after 5 innings in each of their last five day games against National League opponents that held a losing record.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Jake Irvin      Record this season: 2-6      ERA: 5.79
• Road Record: 2-2
• Last 5 against Mets: 1-2

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Mets have lost six of their last eight Sunday games as home favorites against National League opponents.
• The Mets have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four home games after playing the previous day.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last four games against the Mets following a road loss.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in six of their last seven games against opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Mets’ last eight home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Six of the Nationals’ last seven day games against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in six of the Nationals’ last seven day games against NL East opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in four of Christian Scott’s last five appearances as a starter.

New York Mets Player Prop Facts

• Carson Benge has hit a home run in each of the Mets’ last two day games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• Christian Scott has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last seven appearances against NL opponents.
• Francisco Lindor has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 22 appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Jake Irvin has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances in day games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
• Andres Chaparro has hit at least one home run in four of his last six road appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (40) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Mets rank 29th in the league for doubles this season (155).
• The Mets rank 27th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.307).
• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (667).
• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (179).

Nationals vs Mets Prediction

The Mets have won their last three meetings against the Nationals but both teams are tied 4-4 in their last 8 meetings in New York.

In this Nationals vs Mets Prediction, the Mets are coming as -170 home favorites. Both pitchers have not been in good form, as Irvin has given up 12 runs across his last three starts for the Nationals and Scott has given up 3+ runs in three of his last four starts. The Nats have the fourth-worst bullpen in baseball and both offenses have been red-hot lately, scoring 12.9 runs per game combined against right-handed pitching in their last 10 games. Take the over 8 in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Over 8