Washington Nationals vs New York Mets Picks and Predictions April 28th 2025

Nationals Riding High After Series of Dramatic Walk-Offs

The Washington Nationals showed resilience and determination over the weekend, winning two of the first three games against the National League East-leading New York Mets. Now, they aim to cap it all off with a statement series win in Monday’s finale at Nationals Park.

Trailing by six runs heading into the seventh inning Sunday, the Nationals staged a thrilling comeback capped by CJ Abrams scoring the winning run after Pete Alonso’s throwing error. Washington’s rally marked their second walk-off win of the series, highlighting the scrappy, never-quit mentality this young team has embraced.

Backup catcher Riley Adams, whose three-run homer sparked the stunning comeback, praised the team’s grit: “We have great guys in the clubhouse, and everyone’s pulling for each other in these moments. It’s cool to see it pay off.”

Dylan Crews also homered, continuing his hot hitting and affirming why the Nationals invested heavily in their young core. Those tracking offensive trends should not miss the analysis available at the MLB Picks and Predictions page.

Mets’ Bullpen Woes Create Opportunity for Nationals

While the Nationals have found ways to scratch out wins, the Mets’ bullpen has become a growing concern. After starter Tylor Megill dominated the Nationals over six innings on Sunday, New York’s relievers faltered badly.

Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek both surrendered critical runs in the late innings. Stanek, pitching in place of closer Edwin Diaz, gave up the walk-off grounder that Alonso mishandled.

“(He) couldn’t finish hitters,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of Butto’s struggles. “Sinkers got too much of the plate.”

New York’s bullpen issues could again loom large Monday. With reliever A.J. Minter placed on the 15-day injured list with a left lat strain, Jose Urena has been called up to bolster the pen. Whether the reshuffled relief corps can steady itself remains uncertain — an issue bettors can monitor via the live updates on the MLB Odds page.

Pitching Matchup: Trevor Williams vs. Griffin Canning

Monday’s matchup features a duel of two right-handers who are trending in different directions.

Trevor Williams (1-2, 5.11 ERA) will take the mound for the Nationals. While his ERA remains high, Williams has shown improvement recently, allowing just one run in each of his last two starts while totaling 10 strikeouts across 10 innings. He brings valuable experience, including time spent with the Mets during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Meanwhile, Griffin Canning (3-1, 3.12 ERA) starts for New York. Signed as a free agent in the offseason, Canning has provided crucial stability to the Mets’ rotation. He’s won his last three starts and pitched effectively against the Phillies last week, allowing just one run over five innings.

“It’s been fun,” Canning said regarding his time with the Mets. “We all kind of feed off each other. We’re all having fun in the dugout and in between starts, talking with each other, learning from each other. It’s awesome being with these guys.”

Both pitchers could be prime DFS targets depending on matchup projections, found within the MLB Expert Betting Guide.

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Nationals Offense Finding Its Footing

The Nationals’ offense has displayed surprising potency in clutch situations throughout the series. Dylan Crews continues to deliver at the plate, joining Abrams and Luis Garcia Jr. as reliable contributors in the lineup.

• Dylan Crews: Homered Sunday; strong power numbers since mid-April.
• Luis Garcia Jr.: Delivered a key grounder that led to the winning run Sunday.

Moreover, Riley Adams’ breakout performance Sunday (three-run home run) showcased Washington’s deep bench.

For fans tracking player performances and updates, the MLB Teams Database provides an excellent resource.

Mets’ Lineup Must Capitalize Early

While the Mets scored early on Sunday, plating five runs in the first inning, their inability to add on proved costly. New York had second and third with no outs in the ninth inning Sunday but failed to score — a critical missed opportunity.

Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso have remained steady in the middle of the order, but Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte have cooled off considerably.

If the Mets hope to avoid dropping a critical series to a division rival, they must cash in on their chances early — especially given the Nationals’ tendency to rally late.

Key Trends Entering Monday’s Game

• Washington has won 6 of its last 9 games overall.
• New York is 2-5 in its last 7 road games.
• Over/Under Trends: The over has hit in 5 of the last 7 Nationals games.
• Head-to-Head: The teams have split their past 10 meetings.

More detailed historical head-to-head data and betting trends can be found at the MLB Betting Odds