Sunday, September 27, 2026 • 1:05 PM
Nationals Park • Washington, DC
LHP Sean Manaea (6-7, 4.67) vs. LHP DJ Herz (0-1, 9.00)
SNY
For the last time in 2026, the New York Mets will play baseball.
The Mets will look to end the season on a high note. Since the trade deadline the Mets have had a winning record thanks to superstars getting healthy and prospects stepping up. It has been a nice glimpse of what could be next year.
Sunday’s finale was moved up due to weather in the area.
Mets Lineup
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Juan Soto – LF
- Bo Bichette – 3B
- Carson Benge – RF
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- Brett Baty – 1B
- Luis Torrens – C
- A.J. Ewing – CF
- Ronny Mauricio – DH
Starting Pitcher: Sean Manaea
Sean Manaea has pitched in 32 games for the Mets this season making 18 starts totaling 144 2/3 innings with a 4.67 ERA, 4.44 FIP, 1.300 WHIP, and an 87 ERA+. In spring training Manaea had a real velocity concern that led to him starting the season in the bullpen. Eventually, his velocity rebounded a bit and he became a more reliable starter in the rotation.
He’s coming off two solid starts where he allowed only four earned runs over 11 1/3 innings from seven hits and two walks while striking out 15 batters. He has not had fun facing the Nationals this season allowing 10 runs from 13 hits over nine innings. The Nationals have the following career stats against him:
- CJ Abrams 5-17, 2B, 4 K
- Andres Chaparro 2-7, 2 BB, 3 K
- Dylan Crews 0-10, 3 K
- Harry Ford 0-2, BB, K
- Brady House 4-7, 2B, 2 HR, BB, K
- Daylen Lile 1-8, 3 K
- Nasim Nuñez 3-6, HR, 2 BB
- Keibert Ruiz 4-11
- Jose Tena 1-3, K
- James Wood 2-13, 2B, 4 K
- Jacob Young 4-11, 2B, BB, 5 K
Nationals Lineup
- James Wood – DH
- Andres Chaparro – 1B
- Brady House – 3B
- CJ Abrams – 2B
- Dyaln Crews – RF
- Jacob Young – CF
- Daylen Lile – LF
- Harry Ford – C
- Nasim Nunez – SS
Starting Pitcher: DJ Herz
DJ Herz continues his long journey back from Tommy John surgery Sunday afternoon. Herz had surgery in April 2025, had a setback in June 2026, and finally returned to the majors last week. In that game he pitched four innings, allowed four runs from five hits and struck out two batters. In 2024, Herz made 19 starts for the Nationals pitching 88 2/3 innings with a 4.16 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 1.263 WHIP, and a 98 ERA+. The Mets have the following career statistics against him:
- Francisco Alvarez 2-4, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 3-6, 2B, HR
- Cristian Pache 0-1, BB
- Luis Torrens 1-2, 2B, K
- Mark Vientos 2-7, 2 K
Game Notes
Prior to the game, the Mets announced the following roster moves:
- RHP Jonathan Pintaro was placed on the 15-day injured list with an illness.
- LHP Jefry Yan has been recalled from the FCL Mets.
The Mets enter play on Sunday with the fifth-best odds in the draft lottery. New York must receive a top-six pick in the lottery to avoid dropping 10 spots. If New York wins, and the Reds lose, the Mets would move back to the sixth-best odds. A Mets loss or Reds victory ensures the Mets the fifth-best odds.
Three Things To Watch For
- Francisco Lindor. This is the last day in 2026 for Francisco Lindor to hit his 300th career home run. Lindor has been sitting at 299 since hitting two home runs, including a grand slam, on September 12 in Yankee Stadium.
- The last day with this group of Mets. We saw this a bit Saturday, but the Mets have a lot of players on the team they need to figure out. How does Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Ronny Mauricio all fit on this team? What is the future for Marcus Semien and the currently injured Jorge Polanco? Who plays first next season? Which recently called-up minor league pitcher earned a spot in the bullpen next season.
- What happens next? There’s a real chance that players could be locked out next season. That gives today’s meaningless game a little more heft.
