Game Preview: Mets @ Nationals

The Mets had another frustrating loss tonight as they look to split the two game series with the Nationals before heading into their first day off this season. Matz had a rough start yesterday, but the bullpen was able to bail him out and kept more Nationals from crossing the plate. The Mets bats though, both still suffering from their collective slump and missing three regulars with injuries just couldn’t make it happen. The Mets need the day off tomorrow badly to regroup, hopefully they can squeeze out a win before hand.

It’s going to be tough though to make that win happen. The Mets will be sending out Rick Porcello to go head to head with Max Scherzer. Porcello has gotten off to a rough start as a Met, allowing 11 runs, 9 earned from 12 hits and 6 walks in 6.0 innings. He hasn’t allowed a homer yet though. The Nationals have the following numbers against Porcello:

Emilio Bonifacio 1-2, 2B
Wilmer Difo 2-3, K
Adam Eaton 6-15, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
Juan Soto 1-2, BB, K
Yan Gomes 6-18, 3 2B, 2 K
Starlin Castro 6-19, 2B, 3B, 3 K
Kurt Suzuki 6-25, 2 2B, HR, 4 BB, K
Howie Kendrick 10-31, 3 2B, 9 K
Asdrubal Cabrera 17-62, 3 2B, 3 BB, 10 K
Trea Turner 0-3
Michael Taylor 0-4, K

The Mets, who can’t seem to find a hit with runners in scoring position, get to figure things out against Max Scherzer. How fun. He has allowed 4 runs over 12.2 innings (2.84 ERA) from 9 hits and 7 walks while striking out 21 this season. Last year in 27 starts he pitched 172.1 innings with a 2.92 ERA, 2.45 FIP (league leading), 1.027 WHIP and 155 ERA+. The Mets, to their credit, scored 10 runs in 26.0 innings against him last year (3.46 ERA) from 19 hits and 6 walks while striking out 35 times. The Mets have the following numbers against Max: