The New York Mets and Washington Nationals are set for an exciting showdown at Nationals Park, wrapping up a four-game series on Thursday. This matchup comes following a roller-coaster series, which saw Washington secure a 7-5 victory on Wednesday after back-to-back 10-inning wins by the Mets on the previous two nights.
With a current .500 record (42-42), the Mets sit third in the National League East and have demonstrated a strong recent performance, winning 14 of their last 19 games. On the other hand, the Nationals, with a 40-46 record, occupy fourth place in the division and are struggling, having lost seven of their last nine games.
Pitching Matchup
In Thursday's game, the Mets will send Jose Quintana to the mound. Quintana, who holds a 3-5 record with a 4.57 ERA this season, has shown consistency, not conceding more than three earned runs in any start since May 10. His last outing against Houston was solid, pitching four innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out seven. The Mets emerged victorious in that game, winning 7-2.
Opposite Quintana, the Nationals will counter with Jake Irvin. Irvin has been a steady presence for Washington, boasting a 6-6 record with a commendable 3.03 ERA. In his most recent starts, Irvin pitched six innings against Tampa Bay, giving up just one earned run on one hit and striking out five. Notably, he also pitched six innings against Colorado, striking out ten and allowing only one earned run.
Players to Watch
Brandon Nimmo has been a critical contributor for the Mets this season. With a batting average of .248, Nimmo has accumulated 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He displayed his offensive prowess recently, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs in a 10-5 loss to Houston. In Tuesday's 7-2 win, Nimmo went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored.
On the Nationals' side, C.J. Abrams has been a standout performer. Batting .283, Abrams has delivered 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored over 78 games. He has been particularly hot at the plate, racking up four multi-hit games in the past eight. Abrams recorded back-to-back three-hit games against San Diego and recently went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to New York. His versatility was on display when he had a double and home run in the 8-1 win at Tampa Bay.
Betting Lines and Historical Context
As for the betting lines, the Mets are slight favorites with a money line of -114, while Washington is at -105. The run line has New York at -1.5 (+139), and the over/under for total runs is set at 9.
Historically, the Mets lead the all-time series against the Nationals with a record of 474-468, underscoring the competitive nature of these encounters. The first pitch for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, promising another thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry.
As both teams aim to close out the series on a high note, fans can anticipate a fiercely contested game, with standout pitchers and players ready to leave their mark.