The New York Mets and the Washington Nationals are all set to face off in the final game of a compelling four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. The series has been a roller coaster, with Washington staging a dramatic 7-5 comeback victory over New York on Wednesday, punctuating the Mets' back-to-back triumphs on the previous two evenings in extra innings.
The Mets, holding a .500 record (42-42), find themselves in the third spot in the National League East. A significant uptick in form has been evident, with New York securing 14 wins in their last 19 outings. This impressive run will be tested as they enter Thursday's contest slight favorites, with a money line of -114. On the flip side, the Nationals, who sit fourth in the National League East with a 40-46 record, come into this game having lost seven of their last nine encounters, and hold a money line of -105.
Pitching Matchup
Jose Quintana will take the mound for the Mets. Quintana's season record stands at 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA. Remarkably, since May 10, Quintana has not allowed more than three earned runs in any start, establishing himself as a reliable yet under-the-radar performer. In his most recent outing against Houston, Quintana handled the ball for four innings, conceding two earned runs on six hits, issuing three walks, and striking out seven. The Mets triumphed with a 7-2 win in that game, underscoring Quintana's stabilizing presence on the mound.
Opposing Quintana will be Jake Irvin of the Nationals, who enters the game with a 6-6 record and a commendable 3.03 ERA. Irvin showcased his prowess in his last start against Tampa Bay, pitching six innings while allowing just one earned run on one hit, issuing three walks, and striking out five. On June 23, against Colorado, Irvin delivered another strong performance, pitching six innings, allowing three hits and one earned run, while striking out ten.
Key Players to Watch
At the plate, Brandon Nimmo has been a consistent force for the Mets. Batting .248 for the season, Nimmo has gathered 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He has been particularly effective recently, garnering 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. He followed this performance by going 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-2 10-inning victory over Washington.
In the Nationals' camp, attention will be on C.J. Abrams. With a batting average of .283, Abrams has racked up 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs over 78 games. Abrams has been on a tear recently, delivering four multi-hit games in the past eight outings. Particularly, Abrams recorded consecutive three-hit performances against San Diego on June 24 and 25. Additionally, he contributed significantly in Tuesday's clash against New York, going 2-for-5 with an RBI, and had a double and home run in the 8-1 triumph at Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Historical Context
The historical rivalry between these two teams has been a tight contest, with the Mets leading the all-time series 474-468. This balanced history amplifies the stakes for Thursday's game, as both teams vie to gain the upper hand in their head-to-head matchups.
The game is scheduled to start at 11:05 a.m. ET, an unusually early time that might have implications on the teams' performances. With the expectations set and pitchers ready to take the stage, fans from both camps will be eagerly anticipating how the series conclusion will unfold. The over/under for total runs is pegged at 9, indicating a potentially high-scoring affair given the offensive capabilities of both lineups.
The dynamics of the National League East could experience a slight jolt based on the outcome of this game. The Mets' recent surge juxtaposed with the Nationals' struggle adds an extra layer of intrigue. As both teams take to the field for one last time in this series, it's exceedingly clear that every moment will count, providing fans with compelling, edge-of-the-seat baseball action.