The New York Mets are poised to take on the Washington Nationals in the final game of a four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. The series has seen its fair share of thrills and reversals, promising an exciting conclusion.
On Wednesday, the Washington Nationals pulled off a dramatic 7-5 comeback victory over the Mets, breaking New York’s streak of consecutive 10-inning wins from the previous two nights. As it stands, the Mets hold a balanced .500 record with 42 wins and 42 losses, placing them third in the National League East. This steady position is bolstered by their recent performance, clinching 14 wins in their last 19 outings.
The Nationals, meanwhile, are positioned fourth in the same division with a 40-46 record. Their current form is less enviable, suffering defeats in seven of their last nine games. The first pitch for this pivotal matchup is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, with the Mets entering as slight favorites. The money line favors New York at -114, while Washington stands at -105. Additionally, the run line places the Mets at -1.5 (+139), and the over/under for total runs is set at 9.
The all-time rivalry between the Mets and the Nationals is tight, with New York leading 474 to Washington’s 468. In this decisive game, the Mets will lean on pitcher Jose Quintana. Quintana brings a season record of 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA. He has shown reliability, not conceding more than three earned runs in any start since May 10. Quintana’s latest performance against Houston saw him pitch four innings, allowing two earned runs, six hits, three walks, and striking out seven. This effort contributed to the Mets’ 7-2 victory over Houston.
Opposite Quintana, the Nationals will field Jake Irvin, boasting a 6-6 record with an impressive 3.03 ERA. Irvin’s recent outings have been strong, pitching six innings and conceding just one earned run on one hit and three walks, while striking out five against Tampa Bay. His performance against Colorado on June 23 was even more impressive, allowing only three hits and one earned run, alongside ten strikeouts.
Among the batters, Brandon Nimmo stands out for the Mets. Nimmo, batting .248 for the season, has recorded 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He has attained hits in seven of the last ten games, displaying his offensive prowess. Notably, in a 10-5 loss to Houston on Sunday, Nimmo went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. In Tuesday’s 7-2 10-inning win, Nimmo was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored.
For the Nationals, C.J. Abrams is a key player to watch. With a .283 batting average, Abrams has tallied 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored across 78 games. His recent performances have been impressive, delivering multi-hit games in four of the past eight. Highlights include back-to-back three-hit games against San Diego on June 24 and 25, and a 2-for-5 outing with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to New York. Abrams also demonstrated his power with a double and home run in the Nationals' 8-1 win at Tampa Bay on Saturday.
As the Mets and Nationals prepare for their upcoming showdown, the stage is set for an intense conclusion to this eventful series. With pivotal players like Quintana and Irvin on the mound, and standout batters like Nimmo and Abrams stepping up to the plate, fans can expect a thrilling game that could sway the balance in this closely contested rivalry.