Mets vs Nationals Picks and Odds – Aug 5

• Max Scherzer, who has 21 strikeouts in two starts, starts for the Nationals against the Mets on August 5th at 6:05 pm ET
• Washington won the series opener, 5-3, after a four-day layoff
• Check out the odds, analysis, and a pick for the game in the article below

The Washington Nationals got right back to their winning ways on Tuesday against the New York Mets after a four-day layoff related to the Miami Marlins COVID-19 outbreak.

The Nationals will look to extend their three-game winning streak on Wednesday, Aug, 5th (6:05 pm ET) with ace Max Scherzer on the hill facing the Mets’ Rick Porcello.

New York Mets vs Washington Nationals Odds

Odds taken Aug. 4.

The Mets vs Nationals odds opened with the defending champs as sizable favorites.

About Last Night

Washington jumped out to an early 5-0 lead three innings into the game and then held on for a 5-3 victory.

Howie Kendrick went 4-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored, after combining for just two hits in his first five games. Patrick Corbin struck out eight in 5.1 innings for his first win of the year.

Howie Kendrick – Washington Nationals (1) Solo. pic.twitter.com/4ErsfR5bOj

— MLB HR Tracker (@hr_mlb) August 4, 2020

The Mets scored three runs or fewer for the seventh time in 12 games this year.

Mets Career Stats vs Scherzer

Mets’ Skeleton Crew

After Yoenis Cespedes covertly left the team and chose to opt out over the weekend, the Mets received news of other players who will likely be absent for some time moving forward.

Robinson Cano hit the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, while Jeff McNeil and Amed Rosario are both day-to-day after missing Tuesday’s game.

Robinson Cano 💥 ⚾️

103.7 mph EV
33 degree LA
425 feet

Last four games:
8-for-13 w/ HR, 2B, BB, 4 R, 4 RBI

pic.twitter.com/1olJqqMT6C

— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) August 1, 2020

That’s three everyday players (plus the oft-used Cespedes) who are unavailable for a team that has struggled to produce offense. Cano is probably the biggest loss; his 14 hits, seven RBI, and 1.020 OPS lead the team.

The Mets activated Billy Hamilton on Tuesday (after trading for him on Sunday) and figure to use the defensive specialist mostly as a pinch runner and late-game replacement.

Nationals Career Stats vs Porcello

Juan Soto Has Returned

One of the shocks of MLB’s opening night was the positive COVID-19 test of Nationals outfielder Juan Soto, the 21-year-old phenom who was pivotal in Washington’s 2019 World Series win.

Soto was back in action on Saturday during a Nationals intrasquad game, in which he homered and was back to his jovial self. Soto also insisted his test had been a false positive.

Juan Soto from earlier today post sim game Zoom call “I feel good” pic.twitter.com/y51AL7xMSR

— Byron Kerr (@ByronKerr) August 1, 2020

How important is Juan Soto’s return? He posted 4.6 WAR in 2019, which was second-highest among Nationals position players (and the player ahead of him, Anthony Rendon, now plays for the Angels).

Soto hit 34 homers and finished ninth in MVP voting last season … as a 20-year-old. The Nationals are certainly glad to have his superstar potential back in the lineup.

He was activated from the IL on Tuesday and was available off the bench to pinch hit, but he did not see action.

Juan Soto dancing on dugout is the greatest thing of 2020 pic.twitter.com/r7CH6pjjxq

— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) August 4, 2020

There’s reason to believe he’ll be ready to go Wednesday. And with the ace on the mound, facing an ailing Mets squad, this is a recipe for a Nationals win.

Pick: Washington Nationals (-225)