Game Preview: Nationals vs Mets

This was a big weekend for the Mets. If they were swept by the Nationals, they would be 6 games out. If Nationals took the series, they would be 4 games out. If the Mets took the series, they would be 2 games out. If the Mets swept the Nationals, there would be a tie for first place. Last night the Mets took the series clinching at least a scenario where the Mets bring themselves closer to the Nationals in the division race, and putting themselves into a situation where they can end the night tied for first place. Last night deGrom worked hard, not having his best stuff but only allowing 2 ER. Lucas Duda put the team on his back hitting two solo homers and a RBI double as the Familia closed the back door for a 3-2 win. It was also Cespedes first game and even though the he didn’t get a hit, just being in the lineup forced some interesting manager decisions by the Nationals and really lengthened out the line up for the Mets.

Noah Syndergaard looks to keep it going tonight. He is 5-5 over 14 starts and 86.2 innings with a 2.70 ERA. In his last six starts he has recorded 42.0 innings with 43 strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA including a 8.0 inning shutout in his last start, striking out 9 Padres. This stretch also included his first start against the Nationals where he held them to 1 ER over 5.0 innings of work, striking out 4, but walking 5 (a season high). The Nationals have the following numbers against Noah:

Espinosa 0-3
Harper 2-3
Ramos 1-3
Robinson 0-2
Taylor 1-3
Desmond 1-1
Uggla 0-1
Zimmermann 0-2

The Mets bats get a look at the familiar Jordan Zimmermann who is 8-6 over 21 starts and 128.1 innings with a 3.36 ERA this season. In his last 4 starts he has pitched 22.0 innings with a 4.91 ERA and 15 K’s. One of these starts was against the Mets where the Mets scored 3 ER against him over 7.0 innings and 6 strikeouts. The Mets have the following numbers against Jordan: