The New York Mets are gearing up to face the Washington Nationals in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to their four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Slated for Thursday, the final showdown comes with the Mets sitting at a balanced .500 record (42-42). Wednesday saw Washington bounce back with a spirited 7-5 victory, after the Mets captured back-to-back 10-inning wins on the preceding nights.
With the divisional standings at stake, the Mets currently occupy the third spot in the National League East, trailing the Nationals who hold the fourth spot with a 40-46 record. The stakes are high as the Mets have been on a roll, clinching 14 wins out of their last 19 games, while Washington has struggled, dropping seven of their past nine contests.
Pitching Matchup
On the mound for the Mets will be veteran pitcher Jose Quintana. Quintana holds a season record of 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA. Quintana has shown resilience, not conceding more than three earned runs in any start since May 10. In his latest outing against Houston, Quintana pitched four innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out seven. Quintana’s efforts helped the Mets secure a 7-2 victory over Houston.
Meanwhile, the Nationals will counter with Jake Irvin, who holds a 6-6 record with a solid 3.03 ERA. Irvin has demonstrated his prowess on the mound, pitching six innings against Tampa Bay, conceding one earned run on one hit and three walks, with five strikeouts. Additionally, he delivered an impressive performance against Colorado on June 23, allowing just three hits and one earned run while fanning ten batters over six innings.
Offensive Leaders
Brandon Nimmo remains a key offensive contributor for the Mets. Batting .248 for the season, Nimmo has recorded 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He has been consistent at the plate, registering hits in seven of the past ten games. His recent performance includes a 3-for-4 showing with a double, a home run, and three RBIs in a 10-5 loss to Houston on Sunday, followed by a 2-for-3 effort with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored in Tuesday’s 7-2 10-inning win.
The Nationals' lineup is bolstered by C.J. Abrams, who boasts a .283 batting average. Abrams has accumulated 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored over 78 games. His recent form has been notable, delivering four multi-hit games in the past eight. Abrams shone with back-to-back three-hit performances against San Diego on June 24 and 25. He continued this streak, going 2-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to New York and followed up with a double and a home run in the 8-1 win at Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Betting Odds
As Thursday's game approaches, the Mets are pegged as slight favorites with a money line of -114, while the money line for Washington stands at -105. The run line shows 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, narrowly edging out the Nationals 474-468.
The first pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, and both teams will be looking to make a strong statement to cap off the series. With the Mets’ strong recent form and Washington's struggle for consistency, the game promises to be a riveting contest featuring top-notch pitching and resilient hitting. Baseball enthusiasts will undoubtedly be eagerly watching as the drama unfolds at Nationals Park.