Washington Nationals vs. Mets Series Preview (6/27-6/29)

2 of 4

Jun 24, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (27) delivers a pitch to an Atlanta Braves batter in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Mets won 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Nationals are back home tonight to begin a three game series against the New York Mets

It was a rough road trip for the Washington Nationals (44-32) to say the least. In their ten games, they finished 3-7. Over the weekend, they lost two out of three games to the Brewers, but avoided the sweep thanks to a great outing by Tanner Roark and home runs from Jose Lobaton and Clint Robinson.

Despite the Washington Nationals recent struggles and their injury problems (Stephen Strasburg and Jonathan Papelbon on the DL), Dusty Baker’s club still has a three game lead in the NL East. Tonight, they begin a ten game homestand with a three game series against a team that’s three games back in the division, the New York Mets (40-35).

These two teams are 3-3 in their six meetings this season, but the Mets look a little different this time around. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud came back from a shoulder injury last week and they added James Loney to be their first baseman since Lucas Duda went on the DL with a back injury last month. But, third baseman David Wright had to go on the DL with a herniated disk in his neck back on June 3.

The problem for Terry Collins’ squad has been their offense. This month, the Mets have scored 76 runs, which is the fewest in the National League. On Saturday, they called up outfielder Brandon Nimmo from triple-A Las Vegas and sent Michael Conforto to triple-A (.118 batting average in last 23 games).

Another newsworthy move they made this past weekend was the organization signed Jose Reyes to a minor league deal. Reyes recently served a 52 game suspension for violating the domestic violence policy and was released by the Rockies. He is in the minor leagues now, so he won’t be playing in this series. Reyes played shortstop for the Mets from 2003-2011.

As for the pitching, the Mets have a team ERA of 3.19, which is the third lowest in the NL. However, the starting rotation has a combined total of five wins (two from Bartolo Colon and three from Noah Syndergaard). In the bullpen, Jeurys Familia is 26-for-26 in saves and Addison Reed has a 2.22 ERA in the eighth inning this year.

Before this series starts tonight, check out my breakdown of the three pitching matchups:

Next: Tonight's Matchup

Jun 22, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Noah Syndergaard (8-2. 2.08 ERA) vs. Joe Ross (6-4, 3.11) – 7:05 p.m ET, broadcast on MASN/MLB Network

While Syndergaard hasn’t lost a start since May 6 against the San Diego Padres, there are some concerns about him going into tonight’s start. Against the Royals on June 22, he went six innings, gave up three runs on eight hits, and struck out four in a win.

However, Syndergaard left the game early and went to the hospital to have his elbow checked out. While he got good news, it is the second time Syndergaard has gone to the doctor about his elbow this season. Nevertheless, the pitcher Mets fans call Thor is 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA in four starts this month and he has only one start this year where he’s given up more than three earned runs (May 1 vs. the Giants).

Syndergaard is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in four starts against the Washington Nationals. Back on May 17, he gave up five hits and struck out ten in a 2-0 win. Anthony Rendon is 4-for-10 with a double and a home run against him.

Against the Dodgers on Monday, Ross went 6.1 innings, gave up two runs on seven hits, struck out five, and walked one in a no-decision. The only mistakes he made in that start were a wild pitch in the first inning that led to a run and a Corey Seager home run in the third.

Even though Ross got off to a bad start this month, the 23-year-old has thrown three straight quality starts and he has given up three earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven outings.

Ross has not faced the Mets this season, but he did face them twice last year (0-1, 2.84 ERA) and gave up only four runs in 12.2 innings. Neil Walker is 1-for-3 against Ross with a solo home run.

Prediction: This game should be a close pitcher’s duel with the way both of these teams are struggling to score runs. While I expect Ross to keep the Nats within striking distance, the offense hasn’t figured out Syndergaard yet and I don’t expect that to change tonight. Mets take the series opener.

Next: Tomorrow's Matchup

Jun 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Harvey (4-9, 4.64) vs. Lucas Giolito (MLB Debut) – 7:05 p.m ET, MASN/MLB Network

It’s been a rough season for Matt Harvey so far, but he has looked better since the last time he faced the Nats. Against the Braves on Thursday, Harvey went six innings, gave up two runs on eight hits, and struck out three in a no-decision.

Over his last five starts, Harvey has given up eight runs, but he has a 1-2 record. While he has yet to win a game in June, his ERA is only 2.88 and he has the lowest batting average against of any Mets starter this month (.231).

Harvey is 3-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 12 career starts against the Washington Nationals. However, this season, he is 0-2 with a 12.91 ERA and has given up 11 runs in two starts. Daniel Murphy is 2-for-4 against him this year with two home runs and four RBI’s.

Due to Stephen Strasburg going on the disabled list and Yusmeiro Petit having pitched on Saturday, the Washington Nationals are reportedly calling up Lucas Giolito to make his long anticipated Major League debut tomorrow. This season, at double-A Harrisburg, he is 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA in 14 starts.

GIolito was selected in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals and is now the top prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old right-hander has 72 strikeouts this season, but his command has been off at times this season, as evident by the 34 walks. This includes 11 walks in his last five games.

Prediction: This one is a tough game to predict because we don’t know how Giolito will handle his Major League debut. The Mets do hit a lot of home runs, but keep in mind, that Giolito has given up only two home runs in the minors this year. If there was one game where the offense would find their form again, it would be against Harvey. In a close game, I’ll take the Mets to win the second game, but this should be an exciting matchup.

Next: Wednesday's Matchup

Jun 24, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Steven Matz (7-3, 3.29) vs. Max Scherzer (8-5, 3.52) – 7:05 p.m ET, MASN2/ESPN2

After a great start to his season, Matz has had his fair share of struggles lately. On Friday night, the Mets gave Matz a 8-0 lead, but he was unable to finish the fifth inning against the Braves. He went 4.1 innings and gave up six runs on nine hits in a no-decision.

The 25-year-old left-hander has been winless in his last five starts. Plus, he told the media after Friday’s start that he has been dealing with tightness in his elbow. This month, he is 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA and opponents are hitting .333 against him after hitting only .172 in May (4-0. 1.31 ERA).

Back on May 20, Matz threw eight shutout innings, gave up four hits, struck out seven, and walked one in a 2-0 win over the Nats (first career start against Washington).

More from District on Deck

As for Scherzer, his command was erratic in the first inning against the Brewers and the high pitch count early ended up costing him. He went six innings, gave up five runs on five hits, struck out ten, and walked three in a loss.

Even though Scherzer struck out 10+ batters for the third consecutive start, he gav away a 3-2 lead when he gave up solo home runs to Keon Broxton in the fifth and former Met Kirk Nieuwenhis in the sixth. While Scherzer has held opponents to a .203 batting average, he has given up 20 home runs this year (most in National League).

Against the Mets on May 17, Scherzer went 6.1 innings, gave up two solo home runs on three hits, struck out ten, and walked three in a loss to Syndergaard. He is 3-3 with a 2.30 ERA in nine career starts against New York. Loney is 8-for-26 (.308) with two home runs and eight RBI’s against Scherzer in his career.

Next: Takeaways From 3-2 Win Over Brewers

Prediction: Scherzer has fared well against the Mets in his career, but this is the kind of team that can hit multiple home runs and change a game with the long ball. Scherzer will give up his fair share of home runs, but the Washington Nationals might be catching Matx at the right time. Nats get the win, but lose two out of three in the series.

Home / Max Scherzer