Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 20, 2025
In the middle game of a three-game National League East series, the Washington Nationals are taking on the New York Mets inside Citi Field on Saturday afternoon in our Nationals vs. Mets prediction. This article is being written before Friday’s game. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East with a 62-91 record and are sending right-hander Cade Cavalli to the mound. The Mets are second in the NL East with a 79-74 record and have rookie righty Nolan McLean getting the ball. Today’s edge: MLB predictions for Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets built on form and matchups.
Nationals Looking to Play Spoiler
The Washington Nationals are looking to end the year strong after their 9-4 home loss against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. The lineup was able to go 10-for-37 with zero walks and 12 strikeouts on the day as CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews each stole a base. The Nationals went 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven men on base. Brad Lord did not factor into the decision as he allowed a pair of runs in 5.1 innings.
The Nationals are sending right-hander Cade Cavalli to pitch and he is struggling in limited action as in eight starts, he is 3-1 in 39.2 innings with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He has been struggling to limit hits as he allowed a .275 batting average against. This will be the first time in his career that he will be facing the Mets so it will be an interesting test for him.
Injury Report for Washington
- Pitcher Cole Henry: Back (OUT)
- Catcher Drew Millas: Finger (OUT)
- Pitcher Derek Law: Forearm (OUT)
- Catcher Keibert Ruiz: Concussion (OUT)
- Pitcher Trevor Williams: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher DJ Herz: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher Josiah Gray: Elbow (OUT)
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Mets Fighting to Hold Wild Card Spot
The New York Mets are looking to finish the year strong after Thursday’s 6-1 home win against the San Diego Padres in their most recent game. The Mets were able to go 7-for-30 with four walks and nine strikeouts at the plate as Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo hit home runs while Juan Soto stole a base. New York finished 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position while leaving five men on base. Jonah Tong pitched well in the win as he allowed an unearned run in five innings.
Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean is going to be taking the mound for the New York Mets in this game and has been doing well as he is 4-1 with a 1.19 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in 37.2 innings over six starts. He has been doing an amazing job in limiting homers, as he has given up one so far. This will be his first start against the Nationals in his career as well.
Injury Report for New York
- Pitcher Reed Garrett: Elbow (OUT)
- Left fielder Jesse Winker: Back (OUT)
- Center fielder Tyrone Taylor: Hamstring (OUT)
- Pitcher Frankie Montas: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher Max Kranick: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher Dedniel Nunez: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher Tylor Megill: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher Griffin Canning: Achilles (OUT)
- Pitcher Danny Young: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher AJ Minter: Lat (OUT)
- Pitcher Christian Scott: Elbow (OUT)
- Third baseman Nick Madrigal: Shoulder (OUT)
- Pitcher Drew Smith: Elbow (OUT)
Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Pick
Spread Pick for Nationals vs. Mets
- New York Mets ML (5 units)
Both pitchers have three starts in September and there is a gap as Cade Cavalli is 2-0 with a 4.20 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 15.0 innings, while Nolan McLean is 1-1 with a 1.56 ERA and a .246 opposing batting average in 17.1 innings in that stretch. The bullpens are showing a significant difference as the Nationals are dead last with a 5.56 reliever ERA, while the Mets are 15th with a 4.05 bullpen ERA right now. The Mets won five of the last seven games against the Nationals so take the New York Mets to secure the victory here.
Over/Under Pick for Nationals vs. Mets
- Over (4 units)
Both lineups have been hitting well with runners in scoring position as the Nationals are 13th with a .759 team OPS in those chances while the Mets are third with a .800 team OPS with runners in scoring position so far. In the last 15 days, these teams are scoring well as Washington is scoring 4.33 runs per game while New York is averaging 4.0 runs per game in that span. All in all, go with the over to hit in this game.
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