Washington Nationals Series Preview: Nats at Mets (10/2-10/4)
By Ricky Keeler
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals (81-78) will enter Citi Field tonight to play the final series of their season against the New York Mets (89-70). Down in Atlanta this week, the offense continued to struggle as they scored a total of four runs in three games. The Braves won two out of the three games, but Stephen Strasburg threw six shutout innings to help avoid the sweep last night at Turner Field.
While there is no postseason in store for the Nats, Bryce Harper still has a chance to win both the batting title and the home run title in the National League. Harper enters the final three games two points ahead of Marlins’ second baseman Dee Gordon for the batting title (.331 to .329) and tied with Rockies’ third baseman Nolan Arenado for the home run lead (41 home runs).
More from Max Scherzer
- Washington Nationals: Don’t Hold Your Breathe On A Max Scherzer Reunion
- Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer Scratched From Game 6 Reminiscent Of 2019
- Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer and Trea Turner bring wealth of Postseason experience to Dodgers ahead of Postseason run
- Nationals: Max Scherzer comments have me rethinking my fandom
- Washington Nationals: How Did The Nats Do In The All-Star Game?
But, despite those great individual accomplishments, it’s the Mets who will be playing baseball past this weekend. While they’ve already clinched the NL East, Terry Collins’ team, who is 10-6 against Washington this season, is trying to clinch home field advantage in their first round series against the Dodgers that begins on Friday.
Mets’ fans held their collective breath on Wednesday night when Yoenis Cespedes was hit on the left hand in the top of the third inning. However, Cespedes only has a contusion on his finger and should be available for the NLDS. Since joining New York, the 29-year-old outfielder is hitting .287 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI’s.
For the final time this season, let’s take a look at who has the edge in the three pitching matchups:
Next: Tonight's Matchup