The Mets lost the series finale with the Phillies and the Nationals won yesterday bringing them to only games out of first place. Tonight’s game is a make up from the first series of the season that got cancelled due to the Nationals Covid outbreak, this game right now means a lot to the Nationals – win in this one game set and they are within three games of first place. For the Mets, this game is in the midst of a rough stretch that has them playing in three cities in three days.
Jerad Eickhoff will start for the Mets tonight. In his first major league start this season he allowed no runs over 4.0 innings with 3 hits, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. A very positive first start for a pitcher who might make an extended appearance in the Mets rotation. The next day he had a pinch-hit infield single and provided one of only two hits the Mets offense could muster against the Charlie Morton and the Braves. The Nationals have seen Eickhoff before from his time with the Phillies and have the following numbers against him:
- Alex Avila 3-6, 2 HR, BB, 2 K
- Jordy Mercer 1-3, HR
- Kyle Schwarber 3-8, 2 HR, BB, 3 K
- Trea Turner 1-6, 2 K
- Ryan Zimmerman 0-2, BB
- Starlin Castro 0-4
- Gerardo Parra 0-3
- Victor Robles 0-3, 2 K
Things are a bit complicated for the Nationals today. Erick Fedde, who was supposed to start, was put on the IL yesterday for an oblique strain. As of writing, the Nationals still have not named a starter however their beat writers are suggesting three possible starters: Andres Machado, Paolo Espino and Jefry Rodriguez. Unless another starter is named, we are probably looking at a bullpen game of sorts.
Andres Machado was recalled when Fedde was put on the IL. He pitched 3.2 innings over 2 games for the Royals back in 2017 and allowed 9 earned runs from 10 hits and 3 walks. This season he has pitched 13.2 innings over 10 games with a 2.63 ERA and a 1.317 WHIP. Paolo Espino has pitched 30.2 innings over 17 games and started twice for the Nationals this year. He has a 2.35 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 0.848 WHIP and a 160 ERA+. Espino, who last pitched on Friday, has pitched against the Mets once this season, holding them hitless and scoreless in one inning of work. His first outing of the year was a 4.1 inning start where he allowed 2 runs from 5 hits and his second start of the year he pitched 5.0 scoreless innings. The third option for the Nationals, Jefry Rodriguez, has only pitched in two games this year, totaling 6.0 innings allowing 2 runs on 2 hits / 4 walks. He has allowed 16 runs, 14 earned, over 16.2 innings in Triple A this season.
Let’s Go Mets!
