The New York Mets are gearing up to face the Washington Nationals in the final game of their four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. This battle comes on the heels of an eventful series that has seen both teams showcase their strengths and weaknesses.
Washington managed to rally on Wednesday for a 7-5 victory against New York, stemming the tide of consecutive 10-inning wins that the Mets had claimed earlier in the series. Despite this setback, the Mets, currently maintaining a .500 record at 42-42, remain in the third spot in the National League East. The team has exhibited notable resilience, racking up 14 wins in their last 19 games.
On the other side, the Nationals sit fourth in the National League East with a 40-46 record. Their recent performance has been less encouraging, with the team suffering losses in seven of their last nine games. The upcoming clash, with the first pitch scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, will be critical for both teams as they seek to improve their standings.
Pitching Matchup
All eyes will be on the pitching mound, where the Mets' Jose Quintana is set to face off against the Nationals' Jake Irvin. Quintana, who has a season record of 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA, has been a dependable presence for the Mets, not conceding more than three earned runs in any start since May 10. In his most recent outing, Quintana pitched four innings against Houston, allowing two earned runs, six hits, and three walks while striking out seven. The Mets secured a 7-2 victory in that game.
Jake Irvin, with a 6-6 record and a 3.03 ERA, will take the mound for the Nationals. Irvin has shown sparks of brilliance this season, exemplified by his six-inning stint against Tampa Bay, where he allowed just one earned run on one hit and three walks and struck out five batters. He also struck out ten in six innings against Colorado on June 23, allowing just three hits and one earned run.
Key Players to Watch
For the Mets, Brandon Nimmo stands out with his consistent performance this season. Batting .248, Nimmo has accumulated 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. His recent form has been impressive, as he garnered 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 and followed that with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double, two RBIs, and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-2 10-inning win.
C.J. Abrams of the Nationals could be the spark his team needs. Batting .283 over 78 games, Abrams has 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored. Abrams has delivered four multi-hit games in his last eight appearances. His recent exploits include back-to-back three-hit performances against San Diego on June 24 and 25, and he went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to New York. Abrams also had a double and home run in the Nationals’ 8-1 win at Tampa Bay on Saturday, showcasing his ability to make an impact.
Betting Lines and Historical Context
The betting lines suggest a closely contested game, with the Mets being slight favorites at a money line of -114 compared to Washington's -105. The run line has New York at -1.5 (+139), and the over/under for total runs is set at 9. Historically, the Mets have edged out the Nationals, leading the all-time series 474-468.
With these dynamics in play, the final game of the series promises to be an exciting one, as both teams strive to capitalize on their strengths and address their recent shortcomings.