Game Preview: Nationals vs Mets

The Mets took the opener of the series last night and go for the series win tonight in Queens! The Mets got out in front early yesterday thanks to a two-run homer from Eduardo Escobar. The Nationals however clawed back and eventually tied the game at 3-3. That’s when the Mets opened the floodgates, scored four runs and never looked back.

And now the Mets get Max Scherzer on the mound. Over 19 starts and 122 2/3 innings, Scherzer has a 2.27 ERA, 2.47 FIP, 0.929 WHIP and a 171 ERA+. After allowing four runs in back to back starts, Scherzer was more Scherzer like in his last start allowing only one earned run over seven innings while striking out 11 batters. He has struggled (which is a strong word) against his former team this season, allowing six runs, five earned, from nine hits and three walks over 12 2/3 innings. However, he hasn’t faced the Nationals since they traded Juan Soto (1-3, HR, 3 BB) and Josh Bell (5-12, 3 2B, HR, 3 BB, 2 K) away. The Nationals have the following career numbers against Max:

Cesar Hernandez 11-54, 4 2B, 2 BB, 15 K
Nelson Cruz 10-27, 2B, HR, 7 K
Luke Voit 3-6, BB, 2 K
Yadiel Hernández 1-4
Keibert Ruiz 1-5, K
Victor Robles 0-4, K
Luis Garcia 2-3, K

The Mets bats will get another look at Patrick Corbin today. For a second straight year Corbin leads the league in losses. Last year he had 16, this year he has 17 and there is still a month to go. Over 26 starts and 127 2/3 innings, he has a 6.56 ERA, 4.97 FIP, 1.762 WHIP and a 59 ERA+. He currently leads the league in hits (180) and earned runs (93).

All that being said – he’s been on a bit of a roll his last two starts. He has allowed three runs, four earned, over 11 1/3 innings from 13 hits and three walks. His first two starts against the Mets were also pretty good, allowing only two earned runs over nine innings. Then in his last two starts against the Mets he’s allowed 11 earned runs over 8 2/3 innings from 19 hits and three walks. The Mets have the following career numbers against Corbin: