The Mets begin a three game series in Washington tonight at 7:05 PM to take on the Nationals. LHP Jon Niese (2-2, 2.17) will start for the Mets and take on RHP Tanner Roark (2-1, 3.65) for the Nationals.
Niese has gone 11 consecutive starts allowing three runs or less, tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the majors. He has gone 4-3 with a 2.50 ERA (20 earned runs/72.0 innings) over this streak, which began on September 13 of last season.
Collins says Lagares is well, but he is clearly no longer the center fielder for the Mets. He also said that he’s liked EYJ’s swings lately. Marc Carig of Newsday spoke to Collins, says that Lagares has been moth balled.
“If any of you guys have a crystal ball and you know when they’re going to hit it good, call me. Call me early, so I can put him in there,” Collins said.
“Tonight I want to get Bobby in there, get some lefties in the lineup tonight. And tomorrow Juan and Chris will be both back in there and the lefties will have a day off. I’m not concerned defensively. What I’m more concerned about is we’ve got to start putting some runs on the board.”
Starting Lineup
- Eric Young, LF
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- David Wright, 3B
- Curtis Granderson, CF
- Bobby Abreu, RF
- Lucas Duda, 1B
- Anthony Recker, C
- Ruben Tejada, SS
- Jon Niese, SP
Game Preview
The Mets split the season series with the Yankees after dropping yesterday’s game, but look to get back on the right track tonight in DC against the Nationals. Jacob deGrom made his debut last night and he was great allowing only one run but the Mets bats couldn’t get anything going. The last time the Mets played the Nationals was the season opener, where the Nationals swept the Mets. Tonight Jon Niese gets the start as he goes up against Tanner Roark.
Jon Niese is 2-2 on the season with a 2.17 ERA over 7 starts and 45.2 innings of work while striking out 36 batters. After a stretch of 4 games in a row where he allowed one run or less, he allowed three in his last start against the Phillies. Last season he faced the Nationals once allowing 2 earned runs and 10 hits over 5.2 innings. The Nationals have the following numbers against Niese:
- Werth 5-20, 2B
- Desmond 3-17, 2 2B
- Espinosa 5-10, 2B
- Frandsen 4-10, 2B
- Hairston 2-8
- Moore 3-9, HR
Tanner Roark is 2-1 over 7 games and 44.1 innings with a 3.65 ERA in his second season. In his last start he allowed only 1 ER over 7.2 innings, which was a nice bounce back from the outing before where he allowed 7 ER and 7 hits over 4.0 innings. His first start of the season was against the Mets as he allowed 2 ER over 6.0 innings of work. The Mets have the following numbers against Tanner:
- Duda 1-7
- Murphy 3-7, 2B
- E Young 2-7
- Lagares 1-5, 2B
- Tejada 1-5
- d’Arnaud 0-3
Lets Go Mets!
