Series Preview: Mets Try to Turn it Around vs. Nationals

Well, the New York Mets play more baseball this week.

After signs of life against the Twins, the Mets were swept by the Colorado Rockies, firmly falling into last place in the National League. And yes, I am writing those words in late April, and I am just as dumbfounded as you may think.

New York lately cannot do anything right as a team, specifically on the hitting side of things. And before heading back out west, they welcome the Washington Nationals to Citi Field for a three-game set.

Will New York begin to look like a team that has professional hitters? Can the team start to inch toward some form of relevance again? It is time to dive into that, and more, in the latest series preview for the Mets.

Tuesday: Clay Holmes (2-2, 2.10 ERA) vs. Zack Littell (0-3, 7.56 ERA) 

• The Mets are not winning his starts (or very much at all), but Clay Holmes continues to be rock solid for New York. In his last start against the Twins, he went seven innings while only giving up two runs and five hits. He sits at a 2.10 ERA with an impressive 55.6% ground-ball rate and a 33.3% chase rate. Holmes will give the Mets a shot to win on Tuesday, but only if the lineup shows up. 
• Zack Littell has been horrific this season for the Nationals. Holding an ERA of 7.56, the right-hander has given up at least six runs in his past two outings. His fastball has been ineffective, along with the rest of his arsenal. This should be a game where the Mets’ offense has a chance to show signs of life, if not break out entirely. However, Littell could also shut down this lineup and find his own footing. Tuesday will be an interesting battle between a movable force and a stoppable object.

Wednesday: TBD  vs. Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.01 ERA)

• As of the writing of this article, the Mets have not announced a starter for the second game of the series against the Nationals. Christian Scott could get recalled, or any one of Tobias Myers, David Peterson or Sean Manaea could enter the rotation from the bullpen.
• Cade Cavalli had a rough start to the season, but he has found his footing in his last two April starts. Facing the Braves on April 23, the right-handed pitcher struck out 10 batters in five innings while only allowing two runs. In his previous start, Cavalli struck out five batters in four innings while only allowing one run. He is not an upper-tier pitcher, but Cavalli’s ability to limit hard-contact (31.9% hard-hit rate) and strike batters out (24.1% rate) gives him a consistent chance to make quality starts. He should have a chance to do well against the Mets.

Thursday: Freddy Peralta (1-3, 3.90 ERA) vs. Miles Mikolas (0-3, 8.49 ERA) 

• Peralta, like he has all season, was Jekyll and Hyde in his last start. Until his last inning of work, the top-end starter was dealing against the Rockies, ultimately ending with eight strikeouts in his outing. However, he hit a wall in the sixth inning, allowing a walk and hard contact that gave the Rockies a lead they would never give back up. Peralta’s stuff has still been top-notch, but he has not been as efficient or consistent in the beginning part of the season. Facing a Nationals lineup that can do some damage, this game will be another nice test for the right-handed pitcher.
• While it has not been a good year for Mikolas, his 8.49 ERA is largely inflated due to allowing 11 runs in a single game earlier this season. His fastball velocity is well below-average, he is not striking many batters out (16 total in 18.1 innings pitched), and is allowing plenty of hard contact. New York, like in the game against Littell on Tuesday, should have a chance to do some damage. But with the way things have been going, it would be wiser to assume that Mikolas will turn back the clock in New York on Thursday.

The Main Storyline

To be completely honest with you, my real storyline for this week would be nothing. The Mets are a terrible baseball team at the moment, and you, the wonderful reader of this article, could do anything better with your time. I truly mean that.

However, for the sickos and die-hards who still intend this car-crash of a baseball team, the main storyline this week is simple: The Mets’ hitting.

For all of the team’s struggles this year, the pitching has actually been pretty solid! But when it comes to the offensive side of the ball, things are downright dreadful. New York cannot hit for average or power. They are struggling with men on base and when the bases are empty. They are not touching the ball off of some of the worst pitchers in the league and are going through absurd stretches of time without scoring runs.

As I said last week, short of a legitimate sacrifice at Citi Field, the only way things get better for the Mets is for the entire lineup to play to expectations. New York will either figure things out or their 2026 season much earlier than expected; there is really no in-between. As a result, the lineup for the Metropolitans is my main storyline of the week.

Player to Watch 

In an early week series where the whole lineup needs to produce, I am focused on the continued progression of Carson Benge. He has started to make more consistent contact, pull the baseball, and even produce some extra-base hits. I want to see that progress continue this week against the Nationals.

Prediction

In their series against the Nationals, I have the Mets losing two of three and continuing their skid. Until the overall lineup shows any signs of life, I have no confidence that the Mets can consistently beat any team in the sport.