Jerad Eickhoff, Credit: Anthony DiComo, MLB.com
Monday, June 28, 2021 • 7:05 P.M.
Nationals Park • Washington, D.C.
RHP Jerad Eickhoff (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Paolo Espino (1-2, 2.35)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM
The Mets lost the series finale with the Phillies and the Nationals won on Sunday, bringing them to only four games out of first place. Monday’s game is a make-up from the first series of the season that got cancelled due to the Nationals’ COVID outbreak. This contest now means a lot to the Nationals – win in this one-game set and they are within three games of first place. For the Mets, this game is in the midst of a rough stretch that has them playing in three cities in three days.
Mets Lineup
- Jeff McNeil – 2B
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Dominic Smith – LF
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- Billy McKinney – RF
- Kevin Pillar – CF
- Luis Guillorme – 3B
- Patrick Mazeika – C
- Jerad Eickhoff – RHP
Nationals Lineup
- Kyle Schwarber – LF
- Trea Turner – SS
- Juan Soto – RF
- Josh Bell – 1B
- Josh Harrison – 2B
- Yan Gomes – C
- Gerardo Parra – CF
- Starlin Castro – 3B
- Paolo Espino – RHP
Jerad Eickhoff will start for the Mets. In his first major league start this season, he allowed no runs over four innings with three hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.
It was a very positive first start for a pitcher who might make an extended appearance in New York’s rotation. The next day, he had a pinch-hit infield single and provided one of only two hits the Mets’ offense could muster against the Charlie Morton and the Braves.
The Nationals have seen Eickhoff before from his time with the Phillies and have the following numbers against him:
- Alex Avila 3-6, 2 HR, BB, 2 K
- Jordy Mercer 1-3, HR
- Kyle Schwarber 3-8, 2 HR, BB, 3 K
- Trea Turner 1-6, 2 K
- Ryan Zimmerman 0-2, BB
- Starlin Castro 0-4
- Gerardo Parra 0-3
- Victor Robles 0-3, 2 K
Things are a bit complicated for the Nationals on Monday. Erick Fedde, who was supposed to start, was put on the IL Sunday for an oblique strain. In his place, right-hander Paolo Espino will get the start, at least to open up the night.
Espino has pitched 30 2/3 innings over 17 games and started twice for the Nationals this year. He has a 2.35 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 0.85 WHIP and a 160 ERA+ over that span.
Espino, who last pitched on Friday, has pitched against the Mets once this season, holding them hitless and scoreless in one inning of work. His first outing of the year was a start where he went 4 1/3 innings and allowed two runs from five hits, while he pitched five scoreless innings in his second start.
Let’s Go Mets!
