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

By Ricky Keeler

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
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 /
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Washington Nationals
May 14, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) pitches against the Miami Marlins in the fourth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Stephen Strasburg (6-0, 2.95) vs. Matt Harvey (3-5,4.93) – 7:10 p.m, MASN/MLB Network

Thursday night will be a battle of the Scott Boras clients at Citi Field. First, let’s start with Strasburg. The Nats’ right-hander got the start in game one of the doubleheader against the Marlins on Saturday. He went six innings, gave up three runs on five hits, struck out seven, and walked three on 104 pitches to get the win.

While Strasburg is off to a strong start this season, one thing to keep an eye on is that he has walked three batters in each of his last two games. But, he has gone at least six innings in every game and he has at least seven strikeouts in each of his last seven games.

In nine career starts against the Mets, Strasburg is 4-3 with a 2.78 ERA (4-1, 2.17 ERA in six starts at Citi Field). In his last start against the Mets (September 9, 2015), he struck out 13 batters over 7.1 innings and still took the loss. Walker is 3-for-11 (.273) with one home run and two RBI’s against him.

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Everyone remembers Matt Harvey’s great outing in Game 5 of the World Series, despite the Mets losing in extra innings. However, Harvey hasn’t been dominant this season as he has not gone more than six outings in any game this year.

In his last start against the Rockies on May 13, he went 5.2 innings, gave up five runs on 11 hits and struck out six in a loss. He only has two games of six or more strikeouts this year and teams are hitting .311 against him (.222 last season).

Harvey is 3-3 with a 1.77 ERA in ten career starts against the Washington Nationals (2-2 in six starts last season). If Clint Robinson plays, he is 4-for-11 (.364) with a double and three RBI’s against Harvey. However, the stat you will see everyone talk about is that Harper is 0-for-20 vs. the right-hander with seven strikeouts.

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Prediction: For this game, I am looking to see which Harvey shows up for the Mets. Strasburg has been consistent for the Nats all season and I think that gives him the slight edge in this game. Washington gets the win and takes two out of three in the series.

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