The New York Mets are poised for the series finale against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. This game marks the end of a gripping four-game series that has showcased the resilience and tenacity of both teams.
On Wednesday, the Nationals mounted a comeback to clinch a 7-5 victory over the Mets. Prior to that, the Mets had triumphed in back-to-back 10-inning thrillers, cementing their status as a formidable contender. With a .500 record (42-42), the Mets currently hold the third spot in the National League East, having achieved 14 victories in their last 19 outings. In contrast, the Nationals sit fourth in the division with a 40-46 record, struggling with seven defeats in their last nine games.
Thursday’s game is set for an early start, with the first pitch scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET. The Mets enter the contest as slight favorites, indicated by a money line of -114, while Washington stands at -105. The run line favors 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 against the Nationals, boasting a 474-468 record.
Pitching Matchup
Jose Quintana takes the mound for the Mets. Quintana, holding a season record of 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA, has displayed commendable consistency, not allowing more than three earned runs in any start since May 10. His recent performance against Houston saw him pitch four innings, conceding two earned runs, six hits, three walks, while striking out seven. This effort culminated in a 7-2 victory for the Mets.
Opposing Quintana is Jake Irvin of the Nationals, who comes in with a 6-6 record and an impressive 3.03 ERA. Irvin’s recent outing against Tampa Bay demonstrated his skill, pitching six innings and conceding just one earned run on one hit and three walks, with five strikeouts. On June 23, Irvin showcased another stellar performance against Colorado, pitching six innings with three hits and one earned run, while striking out ten.
Key Players to Watch
At the plate, Brandon Nimmo has been a steady contributor for the Mets. Batting .248 for the season, Nimmo has amassed 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He has been particularly effective recently, securing hits in seven of the past ten games. In Sunday’s 10-5 loss to Houston, Nimmo went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. His performance continued into Tuesday’s 7-2 victory, where he went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored.
For the Nationals, C.J. Abrams has been a prominent figure, maintaining a .283 batting average. Across 78 games, Abrams has recorded 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored. In his last eight games, Abrams has achieved four multi-hit performances, including back-to-back three-hit games against San Diego on June 24 and 25. He also went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday’s loss to New York and had a strong showing in Saturday’s 8-1 win at Tampa Bay, hitting a double and a home run.
As the Mets and Nationals gear up for the final game of this closely contested series, fans can expect a display of strategic pitching and impactful hitting. With both teams looking to secure a series-clinching win, the matchup promises to be an enthralling spectacle for baseball enthusiasts.