MMO Game Thread: Nationals vs Mets, 7:10 PM

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 • 7:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Paolo Espino (3-3, 3.66) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 3.24)
SNY • TBS • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

The Mets need a win. Full stop.

The Mets were decimated by Zack Wheeler over the weekend, who cut through the team like they’ve been in a multiple-week slump (which is true). Javier Báez also injured his hip in the game, as of yesterday he was listed as a day-to-day but that means the Mets are possibly down Francisco Lindor, Báez, Luis Guillorme, and Jose Peraza at shortstop.

Hopefully, the Mets were able to use yesterday’s day off to take a deep breath before heading into this series with the Nationals.

Mets Lineup

Brandon Nimmo – CF
Jeff McNeil – 2B
Pete Alonso – 1B
Dominic Smith – LF
Michael Conforto – RF
J.D. Davis – 3B
Jonathan Villar – SS
James McCann – C
Carlos Carrasco – RHP

Nationals Lineup

Victor Robles – CF
Alcides Escobar – SS
Juan Soto – RF
Josh Bell – 1B
Yadiel Hernandez – LF
Carter Kieboom – 3B
Luis Garcia – 2B
Riley Adams – C
Paolo Espino – RHP

Carlos Carrasco will make his third start of the season tonight. So far, he has allowed 3 runs over 8.1 innings from 8 hits and 1 walk while striking out 9.

Carrasco made it to 62 pitches in his last outing and all of the damage came in the 5th inning when it looked like he just ran out of gas. This is Carrasco’s first start against the Nationals this year and the Nationals have the following career numbers against him:

Gerardo Parra 3-4, 2B, K
Josh Bell 2-6, 2B, 3 K
Alicides Escobar 8-41, 2B, 6 K
Adrian Sanchez 0-1, K
Tres Barrera 0-1
Andrew Stevenson 0-1, K
Ryan Zimmerman 0-2

The Mets will face off against a bright spot for the Nationals this season – Paolo Espino. Espino has pitched in 25 games and made 9 starts totaling 66.1 innings with a 3.66 ERA, 4.24 FIP, 1.101 WHIP and a 106 ERA+.

As a starter only he’s pitched 42.2 innings with a 3.80 ERA & a 1.195 WHIP. He’s coming off of a rough start against the Phillies where he allowed 6 runs from 8 hits over 5.0 innings. In his only start against the Mets this year, he held the Mets scoreless, scattering 5 hits over 5.0 innings.

The Mets have the following numbers against him: