Washington Nationals at Mets Series Preview (5/17-5/19)

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May 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits solo home run in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Tonight, the Washington Nationals begin a three game series at Citi Field against the reigning NL East and National League champions

After splitting a weekend series with the Miami Marlins, the Washington Nationals (23-15) are at Citi Field tonight as they take on the defending NL East and National League Champions, the New York Mets (21-16). The Nats enter this series 1.5 games up on New York in the NL East standings.

Last season, the Washington Nationals were 4-8 in their final 12 games against the Mets. Both teams aren’t coming into this series on a good note as the Nats lost the last two games to Miami while Terry Collins’ squad went 4-7 on a 11-game road trip and got swept in Coors Field by the Colorado Rockies this weekend.

On offense, the Mets have a few hitters who can hit the ball out of the ballpark. They are third in all of baseball with 53 home runs, but they have a team batting average of .239. The two players with double-digit home runs are center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (12 home runs) and second baseman Neil Walker (ten).

Of course, the second basemen will be one of the storylines in this series with Daniel Murphy heading back to Citi Field. The Mets did not re-sign him in the offseason after a great postseason and elected to go with Walker, who they acquired in a trade with the Pirates.

When you talk about the Mets, the first thing that comes to mind is the starting pitching. The Mets’ starters have the fourth lowest ERA in the NL (3.41). The one surprise in this rotation is Matt Harvey, who has the highest ERA of anyone on the staff (4.93). However, two pitchers that have excelled ate Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.50) and Noah Syndergaard (3-2, 2.53).

In the bullpen, closer Jeurys Familia is 12-for-12 in save chances and the offseason additions of Antonio Bastardo and Jim Henderson have helped the ‘pen lead the NL in ERA at 2.44 (Nats are second – 2.88).

Before the series starts tonight, here is my breakdown of the three pitching matchups:

Next: Tonight's Matchup

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