The New York Mets will face off against the Washington Nationals in the final game of a four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. The matchup follows an intense series where both teams have displayed moments of resilience and skill.
Washington managed to rally to a 7-5 victory over New York on Wednesday, showcasing their ability to bounce back even as they struggle overall. Prior to that, the Mets secured back-to-back 10-inning wins, demonstrating their stamina and persistence in closely contested games.
The Mets currently hold a .500 record at 42-42 and are positioned third in the National League East, illustrating a season marked by both highs and lows. Despite their fluctuating performance, they've shown strong recent form, bagging 14 wins in their last 19 games. In contrast, the Nationals are fourth in the National League East with a 40-46 record, and they have faltered in recent times, losing seven of their last nine games.
With first pitch scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, the Mets enter the game as slight favorites, bolstered by a money line of -114 compared to Washington's -105. The run line favors New York at -1.5 (+139), indicating that while the fans and oddsmakers see a tight game, the Mets might have the edge. The over/under for total runs is set at 9, reflective of the offensive capabilities both teams have showcased.
Head-to-Head Matchup
Historically, the Mets have a marginal lead in the all-time series, standing at 474-468. The anticipated pitching duel sees Jose Quintana take the mound for the Mets and Jake Irvin for the Nationals. Quintana has posted a 3-5 record this season with a 4.57 ERA. He has been consistent since May 10, not conceding more than three earned runs in any start. His recent outing against Houston saw him pitch four innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, with three walks and seven strikeouts, culminating in a 7-2 victory for the Mets.
On the other side, Irvin boasts a more favorable record of 6-6 with a low 3.03 ERA. In his recent performances, he pitched six innings against Tampa Bay, conceding just one earned run on one hit and three walks while striking out five. A further testament to his talent came against Colorado on June 23, where he allowed merely three hits and one earned run over six innings, striking out ten.
Key Players
Brandon Nimmo has been a significant contributor for the Mets, batting .248 for the season with 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He has been on form lately, recording hits in seven of the past ten games. Notably, Nimmo went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs in a 10-5 loss to Houston on Sunday. In Tuesday's 7-2 10-inning win, he was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored.
C.J. Abrams stands out for the Nationals with a .283 batting average, including 20 doubles, five triples, and 13 home runs, amassing 43 RBIs and 53 runs scored over 78 games. He’s delivered four multi-hit games in the past eight, including back-to-back three-hit performances against San Diego on June 24 and 25. In Tuesday's loss to New York, Abrams went 2-for-5 with an RBI, and he also shone in an 8-1 win against Tampa Bay on Saturday with a double and a home run.
With both teams having standout performers and contrasting recent fortunes, the final game of this series promises to be a gripping contest. Mets fans will be hoping their recent form continues, while Nationals supporters will be eager for their team to rebound and end the series on a high note.