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Washington Nationals: Players To Watch In Final Mets Series Of 2016

By Ricky Keeler

Sep 3, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) is congratulated by third baseman Jose Reyes (7) after scoring against the Washington Nationals on a RBI single by Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson (not pictured) during the third inning of the game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) is congratulated by third baseman Jose Reyes (7) after scoring against the Washington Nationals on a RBI single by Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson (not pictured) during the third inning of the game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Sep 2, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher A.J. Cole (22) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Nationals Starter A.J. Cole

Syndergaard will be going up against Cole tomorrow in a rematch from that September 2 start. Cole held his own against the Mets two Fridays ago and picked up his first Major League win. He went six innings, gave up one run on three hits, struck out five, and walked two on 98 pitches.

Cole only made one mistake in that game and that was the solo home run by Asdrubal Cabrera in the bottom of the fourth. While Cole has had success in his first four Major League starts, he has given up six home runs in those games.

The New York Mets are one of those teams that love to hit the long ball. In the month of September, New York has 18 home runs as a team, which is the most in the NL and tied for the second most in all of baseball.

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Against the Phillies on September 8, Cole had one bad inning, but it was the home runs that made all the difference. He gave up a pair of home runs in the third inning to Peter Bourjos and Ryan Howard in the loss. Despite the loss, the 24-year-old right-hander had eight strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter in five innings.

Cole has been able to keep the Washington Nationals in every game he pitches in. If he can avoid giving up the big home run in a key spot, I like his chances to put up a quality start tomorrow night against this strong Mets offense.

Next: Series Prediction

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