The Nationals will start right-handed pitcher Joe Ross (1-1, 5.87) against Mets righty Marcus Stroman (3-0, 0.90) in a matchup of two hurlers that opted out of the 2020 season. The first series between these teams was postponed in early April as Washington was dealing with positive COVID-19 results. Last season the Nationals were 6-4 against the Mets.
Nationals Looking to Bounce Back
Washington is 7-10 on the season after missing the first week with COVID-19. The Nationals rank second in the National League with a .253 batting average but have just 14 home runs and average 3.2 runs per game.
The pitching staff has a 4.85 ERA which ranks ninth in the league, and they are 14th in pitching strikeouts.
With slugger Juan Soto on the injured list, Josh Harrison leads the Nationals with a .343 batting average, despite an 0-for-4 Friday night. New acquisitions Josh Bell (.147) and Kyle Schwarber (.186) are really struggling at the plate, as is Victor Robles (.192). Trea Turner leads the Nationals with four homers, while Starlin Castro has 11 RBI.
Ross had a rough outing last time out, as he gave up 10 runs on eight hits over 4⅓ innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. Prior to that, he had not allowed a run over 11 innings on the season while striking out nine and walking three. He last faced the Mets in September 2019, taking the loss as he allowed seven runs over 3⅔ innings.
Ross has allowed home runs to Mets players Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith. Conforto is 6-for-13 against Ross, and Brandon Nimmo is 5-for-7.
Mets Picking Up the Offense
The Mets are 8-7 on the season, ranking fifth in the National League with a .243 batting average and fourth with a .325 OBP. They have hit just 11 home runs in 15 games this season, and they average 3.3 runs per game.
The pitching staff ranks fifth in the league in ERA at 3.54, and the pitchers average over 10 strikeouts per contest.
Nimmo is among the league leaders with a .408 batting average, while Pete Alonso has four home runs. Nimmo had three hits Friday night, including his first home run of the season. On the downside, Lindor is batting just .204, while Conforto is struggling at .208.
Stroman was brilliant at Colorado on Monday, as he allowed one run on three hits over eight innings while striking out five. On the season, he has allowed one earned run over 20⅓ innings while striking out 11 and walking three. He last faced Washington in August 2019, allowing four runs on nine hits over six innings in a no-decision.
Stroman had middling success against the Nationals lineup, with a home run allowed to Castro, who is 4-for-16 against the righty. Of those with more than four at-bats against Stroman, Josh Harrison is 2-for-6, Yan Gomes is 0-for-7, and Jordy Mercer is 0-for-7.
Betting Analysis
The way the Mets’ starting pitching has been going, it will be tough for the Nationals again on Saturday. Ross struggled against a veteran Cardinals lineup, and he will see much of the same in New York.
Look for the Mets to make it two in a row against their NL East rivals.
Free Pick: Mets moneyline
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