The Washington Nationals pulled the plug at the trading deadline and traded away a lot of their talent. Over the weekend they dropped two of three to the Braves and if it wasn't for a collapse of their bullpen they would have taken two of three The New York Mets went the opposite direction, making trades to improve their team but have been slumping and lost three straight and the NL East lead to the Phillies over the weekend. The Nationals will send Paolo Espino to the mound to face the Mets. He has posted a 3.46 ERA in 66.1 innings with 49 strikeouts and 12 walks. The Mets will counter with Carlos Carrasco on the mound. He has made just two starts this season, tossing 8.1 innings and posting a 3.24 ERA wine nine strikeouts, and one walk.

The Mets have lost seven of their last eight games. I don't expect a long start for Carrasco in this game as he is making just his third start and the Mets pen has been inconsistent. Espino has had a bad start but has been pretty solid this season. A good thing for him is that the Met's offense has not been doing much damage. I am taking the Nats at this huge + number against a struggling Mets team.

Play on Washington.