Friday, September 25, 2020 • 6:05 p.m.
Nationals Park • Washington D.C.
RHP Rick Porcello (1-6, 5.46) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (4-4, 3.67)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

The Mets held off being eliminated last night thanks to Robinson Chirinos, the catcher the Mets inexplicably acquired at the trade deadline with Todd Frazier from the Rangers. Robinson had two hits including a homer thus knocking in all three runs for the Mets. The Marlins and Phillies each won yesterday as well. The Mets continue to have a nearly impossible odds of making the post-season, but they aren’t gone yet.

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  2. Jeff McNeil – RF
  3. J.D. Davis – DH
  4. Dominic Smith – LF
  5. Robinson Cano – 2B
  6. Pete Alonso – 1B
  7. Andres Gimenez – SS
  8. Luis Guillorme – 3B
  9. Wilson Ramos – C

Nationals Lineup

  1. Andrew Stevenson – LF
  2. Trea Turner – SS
  3. Juan Soto – RF
  4. Yadiel Hernandez – DH
  5. Brock Holt – 1B
  6. Yan Gomes – C
  7. Luis Garcia – 2B
  8. Josh Harrison – 3B
  9. Victor Robles – CF

Rick Porcello will look to keep the Mets in the hunt for another night as he makes his 12th and final start of the year. In 56.0 innings he has a 5.46 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 1.429 WHIP and a 78 ERA+. He’s coming off his best start of the year against the Braves where he allowed 1 run and 3 hits over 7.0 innings while striking out 10. He’s also had success against the Nationals this season – pitching 13.0 innings over two starts allowing only 3 runs. The Nationals have the following numbers on Porcello:

The Mets bats draw Max Scherzer’s last start of the season. He has pitched 61.1 innings over 11 starts with a 3.67 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 1.386 WHIP, and 125 ERA+. After a terrible start on 9/13 where he allowed 6 runs over 5.1 innings he rebounded in his last start allowing 2 runs, both unearned, in 5.2 innings against the Marlins. In a fun, meaningless stat – he’s tossed 119 pitches in back to back games. He had two starts against the Mets in 2020. He left after the first inning in one start and then the next time he allowed 1 run over 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Max:

  • Luis Guillorme 3-4, 2B, K
  • Andres Gimenez 1-3, 3B, K
  • J.D. Davis 4-9, 2B, 2 K
  • Brandon Nimmo 3-21, 2B, HR, 6 BB, 12 K
  • Jeff McNeil 3-13, 2B, BB, 3 K
  • Robinson Cano 3-21, 2 HR, BB, 5 K
  • Amed Rosario 4-15, 2B, 7 K
  • Wilson Ramos 4-20, 2B, 2 K
  • Todd Frazier 1-13, 2B, 4 K

Game Notes

Robinson Cano ranks third among active players in hits (2,620), RBI (1,302), total bases (4,258), extra-base hits (936) and in runs scored (1,256). He is four PA short of qualifying for a batting title. If he did, he would rank 16th in the majors in average and 11th in the NL.

Porcello is tied for ninth among active pitchers with 150 career wins. He’s earned at least 10 victories in all but one of his 11 full major league campaigns.

Let’s Go Mets!