The New York Mets and the Washington Nationals are poised for an intense showdown in the last game of their four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. With the first pitch scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, both teams are eager to make a statement as the series concludes.
Recent Performance
Washington demonstrated resilience on Wednesday, rallying for a 7-5 victory over New York. However, the Mets come into this final game with momentum from back-to-back 10-inning wins in the earlier games of the series. Currently sitting at a .500 record (42-42), the Mets hold the third position in the National League East, having secured 14 victories in their last 19 games. Meanwhile, the Nationals, positioned fourth in the National League East with a 40-46 record, have struggled recently, losing seven of their last nine games.
Competitive Edge
In terms of betting odds, the Mets are slight favorites with a money line of -114, while Washington’s money line stands at -105. The run line for New York is -1.5 (+139), and the over/under for total runs is set at 9. The historical context of their rivalry shows the Mets leading the all-time series 474-468, indicating a closely matched competition over the years.
Pitching Duel
Jose Quintana will take the mound for the Mets. With a season record of 3-5 and a 4.57 ERA, Quintana has shown consistency by not conceding more than three earned runs in any start since May 10. His latest performance against Houston saw him pitching four innings, allowing two earned runs, six hits, three walks, and striking out seven batters, contributing to the Mets' 7-2 victory.
Opposing him will be Jake Irvin for the Nationals, who holds a 6-6 record and an impressive 3.03 ERA. Irvin's recent outings have been commendable, including a six-inning stint against Tampa Bay where he conceded only one earned run on one hit, alongside three walks and five strikeouts. Additionally, his performance against Colorado on June 23 saw him pitching six innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out ten.
Key Players to Watch
For the Mets, Brandon Nimmo has been a standout performer, batting .248 for the season. Nimmo's stats include 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. Notably, he has garnered hits in seven of the past ten games, including a standout 3-for-4 performance 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 also went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored.
On the Nationals’ side, C.J. Abrams has been making waves with a batting average of .283. Abrams’ stats boast 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored over 78 games. He’s been particularly impressive recently, delivering four multi-hit games in the past eight. Highlights of his performance include back-to-back three-hit games against San Diego on June 24 and 25, and going 2-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to New York. Abrams also shone in the 8-1 win at Tampa Bay on Saturday with a double and a home run.
As the Mets and Nationals compete in what promises to be a gripping final game of the series, fans can expect a thrilling encounter with significant contributions from key players on both sides. The pitching duel between Quintana and Irvin, alongside the in-form hitters, sets the stage for an exciting matchup as these National League East rivals conclude their series.