Game Preview: Mets @ Nationals (Game 2)

The Mets will be sending out Rick Porcello in the night cap of our two 7-inning games. Porcello and Wacha were signed in the off-season to boost the Mets strength – their starting rotation. Never has a statement from the Mets been so wrong (and the Mets have had plenty of misleading front office statements through the year). The Mets could have signed Porcello as the back up starter and gone after Wheeler to stay in the rotation. Instead the Mets lost Syndergaard and Stroman. Compounded with Matz’s struggles this year – Porcello and Wacha had a tremendous opportunity. But they missed it. The Mets were plagued with roster construction issues this year and this was at the core of it, a Wilpon/BVW creation.

So back tonight, featuring Rick Porcello’s last start of the season. In 56.0 innings he has a 5.46 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 1.429 WHIP and a 78 ERA+. He’s coming off his best start of the year against the Braves where he allowed 1 run and 3 hits over 7.0 innings while striking out 10. He’s also had success against the Nationals this season – pitching 13.0 innings over two starts allowing only 3 runs. It would be wonderful for Porcello and all of us watching if he can build off his last start and his earlier two against the Nationals. The Nationals have the following numbers on Porcello:

Victor Robles 2-4
Juan Soto 3-8, 2B, BB, 2 K
Yan Gomes 6-18, 3 2B, 2 K
Eric Thames 2-5
Trea Turner 2-9, HR, K
Kurt Suzuki 7-29, 2 2B, HR, 4 BB, K
Asdrubal Cabrera 18-67, 3 2B, 3 BB, 11 K

The Mets bats will get a final 2020 look at Anibal Sanchez. Anibal has had a season to forget. In 47.2 innings over 10 starts he has a 6.80 ERA, 5.48 FIP, 1.741 WHIP and 67 ERA+. He’s coming off of one of his better starts this season, holding the Phillies to 1 run over 5.0 innings (this start lowered his ERA from 7.38 to 6.80). In one start against the Mets this year he allowed 5 runs off 6 hits in 2.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Sanchez: