The Mets return to DC to start a 5 game weekend series with the Nationals. Once upon a time this series could have been for control of the NL East. For the Nationals, it’s just a normal series. For the Mets, it’s a chance to get back into the playoff conversation.
The Mets enter play today 5.0 games out of first after the Braves comeback win last night against the Rockies. The Mets have won five games in a row this week (officially it’s four games, as MLB counts the win on a postponed game back on it’s original calendar date – whatever). The Phillies are only 2.0 games out of first after their comeback win against Nationals yesterday.
The Phillies and the Braves weren’t the only teams to rally while down to the win the game – the Mets did it too! The Mets fell into an early 2-0 hole which they clawed their way out of, and eventually took a 3-2 lead. While the Marlins tied it on a bases loaded walk, the Mets were able to take the lead back and hold on to it.
Now it’s up to Rich Hill to keep the good times going. In 7 games, 6 starts, as a Met he has pitched 31.2 innings with a 4.83 ERA, 4.83 FIP, 1.295 WHIP and an 83 ERA+. His last time out he faced the Nationals and allowed two runs from five hits and no walks over 5.0 innings of work (and the Mets offense went down silently so the team lost this game 2-1). This was an improvement from his previous outing against the Nationals on August 10th where he allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over 3.0 innings (and the Mets offense went into overdrive and won that game 8-7, go figure). The Nationals have the following numbers against Hill:
- Ryan Zimmerman 7-14, 2B, 2 HR, BB, K
- Juan Soto 2-7, HR, BB, K
- Alcides Escobar 4-8, BB, 2 K
- Riley Adams 1-3, 2B, K
- Yadiel Hernandez 0-2, 2 BB
- Luis Garcia 1-4, 2B, K
- Josh Bell 3-12, 2B, 3 K
- Carter Kieboom 1-4, 2 K
- Alex Avila 0-3, 3 BB, 2 K
- Gerardo Parra 0-2, 2 K
The Mets bats get another Sean Nolin experience tonight. Sean has pitched 12.1 innings over his first three starts this year with a 6.57 ERA, 5.99 FIP, 1.865 WHIP, and a 63 ERA+. Most of this has already come against the Mets. In his debut this year (August 12th) he allowed four runs on eight hits and no walks in 3.0 innings of work. Last week (August 28th) he allowed two runs on six hits and no walks in 5.1 innings of work. The Mets won both of these starts and have the following numbers against him:
- Kevin Pillar 2-2, 2 HR
- J.D. Davis 2-2
- Dominic Smith 2-2
- Patrick Mazeika 1-2, 2B
- Brandon Nimmo 2-5, HR, K
- Michael Conforto 1-2
- Jonathan Villar 2-5, K
- Francisco Lindor 1-3, SB
- Jeff McNeil 0-4, K
- Pete Alonso 0-4, K
- Javier Báez 0-2, 2 K
Let’s Go Mets!
