The New York Mets are poised to wrap up their four-game series against the Washington Nationals with Thursday's clash at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Following a spirited comeback by Washington on Wednesday, which saw the Nationals secure a 7-5 victory, anticipation is high for the series finale.
This week’s series has been a rollercoaster of emotions, especially for Mets fans. New York snatched back-to-back 10-inning victories on the first two nights, showcasing their resilience and knack for clutch performances. The team's efforts have culminated in a .500 record (42-42) as they currently sit third in the National League East. Recent form has been particularly encouraging, with the Mets chalking up 14 wins in their last 19 games.
Meanwhile, the Nationals, despite their triumph on Wednesday, have struggled to find consistent form. With a 40-46 record, they hold the fourth position in the division and have lost seven of their last nine games. This record underlines their desperate need for a decisive win to turn their fortunes around.
Pitching Matchup
The series finale will feature a pitching duel between Jose Quintana of the Mets and Jake Irvin of the Nationals. Quintana, who holds a season record of 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA, has been a steady presence on the mound. Notably, he hasn't conceded more than three earned runs since May 10, illustrating his consistency. In his latest performance against Houston, Quintana pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs, six hits, and three walks while striking out seven, leading the Mets to a 7-2 victory.
Jake Irvin, on the other hand, brings a solid 6-6 record with an impressive 3.03 ERA. His recent performances have been stellar. Against Tampa Bay, Irvin pitched six innings, conceding only one earned run on one hit and three walks while striking out five. A standout performance against Colorado on June 23 saw him go six innings allowing just three hits and one earned run, accompanied by ten strikeouts. These outings underscore Irvin’s capability of handling high-pressure situations.
Key Player Performances
Brandon Nimmo and C.J. Abrams are two players to keep an eye on in this crucial game. Nimmo, batting .248 for the season, has been a reliable contributor for the Mets. His stats include 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He has hit a stride recently, garnering hits in seven of the past ten games. Nimmo's notable performances include going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs in a 10-5 loss to Houston and a 2-for-3 game with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored in Tuesday’s 7-2 10-inning victory.
Abrams, with a .283 batting average, has been a significant player for the Nationals. His contributions include 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored over 78 games. Abrams has been particularly impressive of late, delivering four multi-hit games in the past eight. Highlights of his recent performances include back-to-back three-hit games against San Diego on June 24 and 25, a 2-for-5 game with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Mets, and a double and a home run in the Nationals' 8-1 win at Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Thursday’s game, with a first pitch scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, sees the Mets entering as slight favorites with a money line of -114, while Washington stands at -105. The run line positions New York at -1.5 (+139), with the over/under set at 9 runs. Intriguingly, the Mets lead the all-time series between the two teams with a slight edge of 474-468.
The final game promises to be a compelling chapter in what has been an entertaining series. Fans will be keenly watching to see if the Mets can leverage their recent momentum or if the Nationals will pull off another comeback to split the series.