Friday, August 14, 2026 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Andrew Alvarez (2-3, 3.76) vs. RHP Robert Stock (0-2, 10.13)
SNY
Although the Mets lost their last series against the Braves, they come back home after a successful road trip where they swept the Guardians and won a series against the Pirates. The Mets are still in fifth place in the NL East and are 16 games below .500.
Tonight, they start a series against the fourth-place Nationals, who are only three games below .500. If the Mets want to climb out of the cellar by the end of the season, this series will be a critical one.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mets Lineup
- A.J. Ewing – LF
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Bo Bichette – 3B
- Luis Robert Jr. – CF
- Carson Benge – RF
- Francisco Alvarez – DH
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- Jared Young – 1B
- Luis Torrens – C
Starting Pitcher: Robert Stock
Robert Stock has had two very different starts with the Mets this season. In his first outing against the Marlins, he allowed only one run over five innings, scattering three hits and no walks while striking out four. In his last start, however, he allowed eight runs on nine hits and five walks while striking out four over three innings against the Pirates. In both starts, the Mets bats did absolutely nothing for Stock, giving him zero run support. There is no one on the Nationals’ roster who has faced Stock in a major league game.
Opposing Lineup
- CJ Abrams – SS
- Abimelec Ortiz – 1B
- Brady House – DH
- Daylen Lile – RF
- Keibert Ruiz – C
- José Tena – LF
- Nasim Nuñez – 2B
- Jorbit Vivas – 3B
- Jacob Young – CF
Andrew Alvarez has pitched in 17 games, including nine starts, and has thrown 69 1/3 innings this season with a 3.76 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 1.399 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. In his last three outings, he has allowed only four runs over 16 innings (2.25 ERA, 3.33 FIP). This includes his longest outing of the year where he pitched 6 1/3 innings against the Phillies. Alvarez faced the Mets earlier this season and pitched four innings of relief, allowing two runs.
The Mets have the following career stats against Alvarez:
- Francisco Alvarez 1-2, 2B
- Brett Baty 0-1, BB
- Carson Benge 0-1
- Bo Bichette 1-1
- A.J. Ewing 0-1, K
- Francisco Lindor 1-1, BB
- Marcus Semien 0-2
- Luis Torrens 0-1
Game Notes
- Former Mets outfielder Butch Huskey has passed away at 54-years-old due to a blood clot in his lungs, per an announcement from the team.
- Interim manager Andy Green told reporters that Devin Williams is still in a no-throw period and will be, “for a little bit longer.” Williams was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain on August 10.
Three Things To Watch For
- Hitting Dingers. The Nationals currently lead the league with 177 home runs this season, eight ahead of the Yankees in second place. The Mets are now No. 11 in the league in home runs with 148, as they’ve continued to hit the ball a lot better over the last couple of weeks. It’s very possible that the Mets, who hit three home runs on Wednesday, can finish fairly solidly in the top ten by the end of the season. Alvarez hasn’t allowed a home run since June 3 though, so it won’t be easy for the Mets tonight.
- Bo Bichette & Slugging. At the start of July, Bichette started hitting again. From July 3 to July 27, he slashed .315/.358/.342 with 23 hits but only two doubles and nothing else. From July 30 to now, he is slashing .308/.368/.500 with 16 hits, including four doubles and two home runs.
- Carson Benge On-Base Streak. Benge has reached base safely in 16 consecutive games, slashing .361/.426/.541 in the process. On Wednesday, he went 2-for-4 with a double. It was the fifth time in the last six games that Benge recorded at least two hits (.458/.519/.583).
Let’s go Mets!
