Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, August 28, 2021 • 7:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Sean Nolin (0-2, 9.00) vs. RHP Marcus Stroman (9-12, 2.85)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

Stop me if you’ve heard this one – the Mets lost a winnable game last night.

The Nationals beat the Mets 2-1. Rich Hill pitched the best he has in a while for the Mets, allowing only 2 runs over 5.0 innings. Hembree, Castro, Famila and Díaz all pitched scoreless innings of relief. But the Mets bats just couldn’t get it done against the Nationals pitching. Javier Báez hit a solo homer and the Mets scattered three other hits throughout the game. Hopefully the Mets can turn things around today.

Mets Lineup

  1. Jonathan Villar – 3B
  2. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  3. Francisco Lindor – SS
  4. Pete Alonso – 1B
  5. Javier Baez – 2B
  6. Jeff McNeil – LF
  7. Kevin Pillar – RF
  8. Patrick Mazeika – C
  9. Marcus Stroman – RHP

Nationals Lineup

  1. Lane Thomas – CF
  2. Alcides Escobar – SS
  3. Juan Soto – RF
  4. Josh Bell – 1B
  5. Yadiel Hernandez – LF
  6. Carter Kieboom – 3B
  7. Luis Garcia – 2B
  8. Riley Adams – C
  9. Sean Nolin – LHP

Marcus Stroman gets the start for the Mets. In 26 games and 145.1 innings he has a 2.85 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 1.115 WHIP and a 110 ERA+. In his last four starts he has pitched 23.1 innings allowing 8 runs (3.09 ERA) from 17 hits and 7 walks while striking out 28. This includes facing two of the best offenses in the league (the Dodgers and the Giants) where he allowed 5 runs over 13.0 innings. He also started against the Nationals this month and held them to 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks over 5.1 innings in a 7-inning game. The Nationals have the following numbers against Stroman:

  • Juan Soto 2-4, 2B, HR, BB, K
  • Victor Robles 2-5, 2B, BB, K
  • Carter Kieboom 1-2
  • Yadiel Hernandez 2-4, K
  • Gerardo Parra 1-3, SB
  • Alcides Escobar 2-15, 3B, HR, 5 K
  • Riley Adams 0-1, BB, K
  • Josh Bell 1-7, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Luis Garcia 0-2, K

The Mets bats face off against Sean Nolin today, making his third start this season. In his first two starts he’s allowed 7 runs over 7.0 innings from 14 hits and 3 walks. His first start was the worst of the two, and came against the Mets! The Mets tagged him for 4 runs over 3.0 innings from 8 hits including a homer. The Mets have the following stats against Sean:

  • Brandon Nimmo 1-2, HR, K
  • J.D. Davis 2-2
  • Dominic Smith 2-2
  • Jonathan Villar 1-2
  • Michael Conforto 1-2
  • Jeff McNeil 0-2, K
  • Pete Alonso 0-2
  • Tomás Nido 0-1

Game Notes

The Mets will retire Jerry Koosman’s number 36 in a pregame ceremony today.

Koosman has the most wins of any left-hander in Mets history, with 140. He will be the third player to have his number retired by the Mets.

Koosman played for the Mets from 1967-1978. He also ranks second in team history in starts (346), complete games (108), innings, (2,544 2/3) and shutouts (26), third in strikeouts (1,799) and sixth in ERA (3.09).

Marcus Stroman will take the mound today for his 13th start at Citi Field, where he is 4-6 with a 2.95 ERA.

Let’s Go Mets!