Washington Nationals: Players To Watch In Final Mets Series Of 2016

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Sep 3, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) is congratulated by third baseman Jose Reyes (7) after scoring against the Washington Nationals on a RBI single by Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson (not pictured) during the third inning of the game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Tonight, the Washington Nationals begin their final series of 2016 against the New York Mets

This week, the Washington Nationals (85-58) went 6-1 against the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies. Over the weekend, the Nats offense only scored 12 runs in four games, but their starting pitching combined to give up six runs in 24.2 innings. One of the highlights in this series was Bryce Harper’s game winning three-run home run in the eighth inning on Saturday night, which broke a scoreless tie.

Tonight, the Nats will wrap up their ten game homestand when they begin a three game series against the New York Mets (76-67). While the Nats are 10-6 against the Mets this season, New York won two of three in the last series at Citi Field (September 2-4).

Right now, the Washington Nationals have a nine game lead in the NL East over the Mets (magic number at 11) and the division seems out of reach if the Nats win a game in this series. With that being said, the Mets have won five of their last six and 13 of their last 17 games as they have a ½ game lead on the Cardinals for the second Wild Card in the National League.

On offense, Yoenis Cespedes is starting to go on one of those runs that he went on last year when the Mets surged to the NL East title and National League pennant. The Mets left fielder has three home runs and ten RBI’s in his last five games and he is hitting .270 with nine home runs and 26 RBI’s since the All-Star Break.

As for the Mets pitching, they are still without Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz, but the team has a 2.88 ERA in the month of September (third in the NL). Two pitchers who have helped the rotation are out with those injuries are Seth Lugo (4-2, 2.62 ERA) and Robert Gsellman (Wednesday’s starter).

In the bullpen, Jeurys Familia continues to get the job done in the ninth inning as he has 48 saves in 51 chances this season. Familia and setup man Addison Reed (1.83 ERA in 70 appearances) have yet to give up a run in the month of September.

Meanwhile, in the Nats bullpen, Mark Melancon saved two games this week and appeared in the final three games of the series. The one negative from the bullpen was Koda Glover, who gave up home runs on Friday and Sunday.

Here are the three pitching matchups for this series:

Tonight – Rafael Montero (0-0, 4.63 ERA) vs. Mat Latos (7-2, 4.64) – 7:05 p.m ET, broadcast on MASN
Tomorrow – Noah Syndergaard (13-8, 2.48) vs. A.J. Cole (1-2, 4.56) – 7:05, MASN
Wednesday – Robert Gsellman (2-1, 3.92) vs. Tanner Roark (14-8, 2.85) – 4:05, MASN

For this series preview, we are going to do things a little differently. Read on to check out who my players to watch are in this series and my prediction:

Next: Mets Hitter To Watch

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