Washington Nationals at Mets Preview (7/7-7/10)
By Ricky Keeler
The Washington Nationals will wrap up the first half of their season with a four game series at Citi Field. Here’s our preview:
Yesterday, the Washington Nationals (51-35) were able to avoid the sweep against the Brewers with three home runs, including one by Bryce Harper. The Nats finished their homestand with a 7-3 record, despite losing two of three to Milwaukee.
Tonight, the Nats will end their first half of the season with a four game series at Citi Field against the New York Mets (46-38). While the Washington Nationals swept the Mets at Nats Park from June 27-29, the Mets are 5-1 in their last six games and are four games behind Washington in the NL East.
This season, the Washington Nationals are 6-3 in nine games against the Mets and second baseman Daniel Murphy has been great in those games. The former Met is hitting .429 with four home runs and 11 RBI’s in 35 at-bats against New York.
Over their last six games, the Mets have scored 46 runs. When All-Star Yoenis Cespedes heats up, so does this offense. He is hitting .393 in his last seven games with two home runs and six RBI’s.
But, he hasn’t been the best Mets home run hitter this month. That would be Wilmer Flores (.375, four home runs, seven RBI’s in July). However, Flores’ playing time might go down now that Jose Reyes was activated on Tuesday and has played mainly third base in the minors. He was at shortstop yesterday because Asdrubal Cabrera was scratched at game time.
Terry Collins’ rotation still has a ton of talent and did have an All-Star in Noah Syndergaard, but their rotation took a small hit when Matt Harvey was placed on the disabled list with left shoulder discomfort. It has been a rough season for Harvey to say the least (4-10, 4.86 ERA).
When you face the Mets, you need to get the lead before the ninth inning because Jeurys Familia has been dominant as the closer. The All-Star is 30-for-30 in saves this season and has converted 46 straight saves dating back to last year.
Before the series starts tonight, here is my breakdown of the four pitching matchups:
Next: Tonight's Matchup