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Washington Nationals at Mets Preview (7/7-7/10)

By Ricky Keeler

Jun 30, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Jul 3, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws to the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Stephen Strasburg (11-0, 2.71) vs. Noah Syndergaard (9-3, 2.41) – 7:10 p.m, MASN/WUSA9

This matchup is my favorite of the four-game series because the winner of this game could be the pitcher that starts for the National League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. In his first start since June 15, Strasburg no-hit the Reds over 6.2 innings, striking out five, and walking four on 109 pitches in the win.

Dusty Baker made the right call in taking Strasburg out of the game with the no-no because of the Ross injury and you don’t want Strasburg to throw too many pitches coming back from the disabled list. If there was one thing to be concerned about from that start, it would be the four walks because he hasn’t walked that many in a game this season.

Strasburg has been dominant against the Mets this season. He is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA and has 21 strikeouts to only three walks in 12.2 innings. Travis d’Arnaud is 4-for-10 (.400) against him with one home run and two RBI’s.

Against the Cubs on July 3, Syndergaard looked like he was back to his old dominant self. He went seven innings, gave up one run on seven hits, and struck out eight on 84 pitches in the win.

Syndergaard has been great this season, but the 23-year-old is dealing with a small bone spur in his elbow. After posting sub-two ERA”s in the first two months of the year, Syndergaard had a 3.86 ERA in five June starts. Plus, he hasn’t throw 100+ pitches in any of his last three outings.

Back on June 27, Syndergaard had one of his worst outings of the season against the Nats. He only went three innings, gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out five, and walked three in a loss. He does have a 2.70 ERA in five starts against the Washington Nationals (2-1 record). Rendon is 5-for-12 (.417) with one home run and three RBI’s against Syndergaard.

Prediction: This one should be a fun game to watch and I expect it to be low scoring. With Terry Collins (NL All-Star manager) looking on, I think this will be the kind of game that Strasburg will look to make the statement against Syndergaard that he is one of the best pitchers in the league. Nats get the win in a low-scoring game.

Next: Saturday's Matchup

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