New York at Washington

The Mets had everything going their way, and then the Phillies come in and sweep them again, and the lead is suddenly slashed to three with last night's loss to the Nats. The wheels have completely come off. The Mets have made 10 errors in the last two games, the bullpen is in shambles and they have been out-scored 46-24 in losing five of six. The Mets were perfect in John Maine's first seven starts, as he was pitching to a 1.79 ERA. They have since been just 11-11, and his ERA over those 22 starts has been a mediocre 4.42. He has lost his command in recent starts, as he has now walked 23 in his last 41 innings. The Nats are now 9-6 in their last 15, with last night's win over the Mets. Joel Hanrahan was bombed for nine earned runs in a start against the Rockies, but has pitched to a 4.15 ERA otherwise, so his overall numbers are misleading and the Nats are 5-3 in those other eight starts. The Nats offense has clicked for five runs a game for the last 15, and the Mets have an over-worked pen as they have allowed 22 runs in their last two games. We like the Nats to make it two straight over the Mets.