MLB matchup analysis

Nationals vs Mets Prediction, Odds and Model Pick

Friday, August 14, 2026 at Citi Field · 7:10 PM ET

Pass

LyDia decision: Pass on Nationals vs Mets

Lab Rating
4.5/10
Model lean
Nationals 51.4%
Market probability
47.7%
Model edge
+3.7%
Best moneyline
+106
Sportsbooks checked
9
LyDia model
51.4%
Market
47.7%

The case for Washington Nationals

Starting pitcher edge: 26 points
LyDia gives Andrew Alvarez a 26-point edge over Robert Stock, driven mainly by ERA (3.76 vs 10.13) and WHIP (1.40 vs 2.13).

The case for New York Mets

Their bats are hot: +0.018 wOBA
New York Mets is outhitting its own season form over the last 15 days.

Why it is not official

Below the 61.0% official gate
Win probability is 51.4%. LyDia does not make a game official below 61.0%, no matter how good the price is. This is a value spot, not a high-confidence winner.
Setup quality below the bar
Lab Rating is 4.5/10, under the 8.0/10 required for an official pick.
Own bullpen carries risk: 6.0/10
The Washington Nationals bullpen comes in normal. A lead after six innings is less safe than usual.

Why the setup score is what it is

Conviction: 0/35
LyDia's own win probability for Washington Nationals (51.4%) is close enough to a coin flip that the rating credits no conviction at all — credit only starts above 53%.
Bullpen: 9.78/20
Both bullpens are rated normal — this is close to a wash, not an advantage either way.
The verdict LyDia passes. The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Read the full model output

The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Game information

MatchupWashington Nationals at New York Mets
DateFriday, August 14, 2026
First pitch7:10 PM ET
VenueCiti Field
Starting pitchersAndrew Alvarez vs Robert Stock
WeatherGame-time forecast: 81°F, 5% precipitation chance, 7 mph wind from S.

Starting pitcher matchup

Full Pitcher Matchup Tool →
Andrew AlvarezNationals · LHP
vs
Robert StockMets · RHP
MetricNationalsMets
Pitching planTraditional starterLimited starter
Expected innings4⅔4
ThrowsLR
LyDia pitcher score (higher is better)5933
ERA (lower is better)3.7610.13
WHIP (lower is better)1.402.13
K/9 (higher is better)8.49.0
K-BB% (higher is better)11.1%7.3%
K% (higher is better)22.0%19.5%
BB% (lower is better)10.8%12.2%
BB/9 (lower is better)4.25.6
HR/9 (lower is better)0.31.1
Ground-ball rate59.5%26.7%
Fly-ball rate40.5%73.3%

Pitcher edge: LyDia gives Andrew Alvarez a 26-point edge over Robert Stock, driven mainly by ERA (3.76 vs 10.13) and WHIP (1.40 vs 2.13).

How to read this: the scorecards above name the starters; every number lives in this table. Highlighted cells mark a gap big enough to matter. K% and BB% are strikeout and walk rate as a share of batters faced -- K-BB% is the two combined into one skill number. HR/9 is home runs allowed per nine innings. Ground-ball and fly-ball rate are neither good nor bad on their own: high ground-ball pitchers trade strikeouts for double plays and fewer home runs, and on this data source the two rates are complementary (they add to 100%), not independent reads.

Strikeout Projections Full strikeout projections →

Andrew Alvarez strikeouts
4.0 LyDia projected Ks
No strikeout line posted when this page was generated

Same data source as the Pitcher Matchup Tool, where every starter on the slate is compared side by side.

Nationals are 5-5 in their last 10, averaging 4.7 runs per game over the last 15 days, and hitting below their season form; Mets are 6-4 in their last 10, averaging 4.7 runs per game over the last 15 days, and swinging above their season form. On the season Nationals carry the better run differential per game (+0.19 against -0.39).

MetricNationalsMets
Last 105-56-4
Last 10 by venue (away team on the road, home team at home)2-8 on the road4-6 at home
OPS, last 15 days0.7270.742
wOBA, last 15 days (hot/cold read)0.3210.326
Runs per game, last 15 days4.74.7
K% last 15 days (lower is better)22.8%23.5%

Last 15 days only. Hot and cold streaks for all 30 teams live on the Stats page.

30-day offense

Full offense tool →
Last 30 daysNationalsMets
OPS0.805 (+0.036 vs szn)0.736 (+0.042 vs szn)
Runs per game5.62 (+0.233 vs szn)4.48 (+0.300 vs szn)
wOBA (model offense input)0.352 (+0.015 vs szn)0.325 (+0.017 vs szn)
K% (lower is better)21.9%25.1% (+2.5% vs szn)

Over the last 30 days the Nationals have been the better offense, 0.352 wOBA to 0.325. They are running hot against their own season line (+0.015 wOBA). Mets are striking out at 25.1% over the window — something the opposing starter can lean on.

Season profile

Full Stats page →
MetricNationalsMets
Record60-6353-69
Run differential / game (team quality)+0.19-0.39
Runs scored / game (offense, season)5.384.18
Runs allowed / game (defense, season, lower better)5.204.57
Season OPS0.7690.694
K% season (lower is better)21.5%22.6%
OPS vs opposing hand (season)0.7600.708

Season-long team quality, not recent form. Run differential and run environment come from the season standings; splits for all 30 teams live on the Stats page, including the run environment table.

Every team on today's slate, on any two axes you pick. Nationals and Mets are highlighted.

Nationals
Combined risk
6.0 Normal
Fatigue
6.2 Tired
Efficiency
5.5 Effective
Mets
Combined risk
5.9 Normal
Fatigue
5.1 Normal
Efficiency
3.5 Below average

Risk is what the model actually uses: fatigue blended with how well the pen has pitched. High fatigue with high efficiency is a tired pen that is still getting outs.

MetricNationalsMets
Fatigue6.2/10, Tired5.1/10, Normal
Efficiency5.5/10, Effective3.5/10, Below average
Combined risk6.0/10, Normal5.9/10, Normal
Relief innings, last 7 days24.720.0
Back-to-back arms43
7-day ERA4.015.40
7-day WHIP1.051.80

Fatigue measures workload. Efficiency measures recent run prevention. Combined risk is what the moneyline and totals systems use.

Run total projection

Full Totals Projections →
LyDia projection
9.1
Market total
8.5
Projected away runs
5.4
Projected home runs
3.1
Over price
-115
Under price
+100
Washington Nationals team total
5.4 projected
Line 4.5 · O +118 / U -136
Over research lean (+0.9)
New York Mets team total
3.1 projected
Line 4.5 · O +112 / U -135
Under research lean (-1.4)

The model and market are close. Team totals remain research-only until their graded sample is established.

More games today

All matchups →

Every LyDia pick, graded in public

Free daily model card by email, or open today's full slate. Membership adds delivery before first pitch.

Today's picks Membership

Model outputs are not guarantees. LyDia provides analysis and education only. Every official pick remains visible on the Results page. 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.