Mets Bludgeon Nationals 7-1, Bury DarkHorse's Run-Line Hope

The Mets rolled into D.C. and made a mockery of momentum narratives, dismantling the Nationals 7-1 in a game that was never close. So much for that three-game win streak. New York's bats woke up in emphatic fashion, turning a modest starter ERA advantage into a six-run cushion that rendered the Nationals' recent hot streak irrelevant by the third inning.

DarkHorse had backed Washington +1.5, banking on competitive fundamentals and the theory that a 0.77 ERA gap wouldn't justify laying the run and a half. The logic was sound on paper—Nationals rolling, Mets slumping, take the dog in a coin-flip spot. Except nobody told the Mets they were supposed to stay cold. They didn't just win; they boat-raced a team that had won seven of ten. The final margin of six runs obliterated any chance of a backdoor cover, and the pick went down in flames.

Credit where it's due: New York's offense showed up when it mattered, and Washington's pitching staff—particularly after the starter exited—had no answers. Sometimes the better team on the day just takes care of business. This was one of those nights, and the Nationals +1.5 never had a pulse.