The New York Mets are poised to face the Washington Nationals in the final clash of a four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. This encounter promises high stakes, with both teams striving to secure a win before the series wraps up. The first pitch is set for 11:05 a.m. ET.
The series thus far has been a rollercoaster of emotions for both squads. On Wednesday, Washington staged a thrilling comeback to clinch a 7-5 victory over New York. However, the Mets had the upper hand earlier in the week with consecutive 10-inning triumphs.
Heading into the Game
The Mets hold a .500 record (42-42) and sit third in the National League East. Their recent form has been impressive, capturing 14 wins in their last 19 matches. On the flip side, the Washington Nationals are currently fourth in the NL East, with a 40-46 record. The Nationals have struggled lately, losing seven of their last nine games.
The Mets are slight favorites heading into Thursday’s game, with a money line of -114, whereas the Nationals are at -105. The run line places New York at -1.5 (+139), and the over/under for total runs is set at 9. Historically, the Mets lead the all-time series between these two teams 474-468, a narrow margin that underscores the competitive nature of their matchups.
Pitching Matchup
Jose Quintana will take the mound for the Mets. Quintana has endured a mixed season, notching a 3-5 record with a 4.57 ERA. Nonetheless, he has shown resilience and reliability, not surrendering more than three earned runs in any start since May 10. His previous outing against Houston saw him pitching four innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits, three walks, and striking out seven batters. The Mets won that game 7-2, a positive sign for their hopes on Thursday.
Jake Irvin will pitch for the Nationals. Irvin has recorded a 6-6 season with a commendable 3.03 ERA. His recent performances have been noteworthy—against Tampa Bay, he pitched six innings, allowing just one earned run on one hit and three walks while striking out five. Additionally, in a game against Colorado on June 23, Irvin pitched six innings, giving up only three hits and one earned run, alongside ten strikeouts. His steadiness on the mound will be a crucial factor for Washington.
Key Players to Watch
For the Mets, Brandon Nimmo is a player to keep an eye on. Nimmo is batting .248 this season, accumulating 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He has been particularly effective recently, with hits in seven of the past ten games. Notable performances include a 3-for-4 game with a double, a home run, and three RBIs in a 10-5 loss to Houston, and a 2-for-3 outing with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-2 10-inning win.
C.J. Abrams stands out for the Nationals with a .283 batting average, 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored over 78 games. He has demonstrated his hitting prowess recently, delivering four multi-hit games in the past eight. Highlight moments include back-to-back three-hit performances against San Diego on June 24 and 25. Abrams also went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to New York and had a double and home run in an 8-1 win at Tampa Bay on Saturday.
The upcoming game promises to be an exciting conclusion to a thrilling series. Both teams have shown moments of brilliance and resilience throughout, setting the stage for a competitive finale. As Quintana and Irvin prepare to showcase their pitching skills, the offensive contributions from Nimmo and Abrams will undoubtedly be pivotal. Baseball enthusiasts will undoubtedly be keen to see how this chapter in the Mets-Nationals rivalry unfolds.