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

By Ricky Keeler

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
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 /
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Washington Nationals
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

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