Series Preview: Mets Head Back to D.C.

The Mets are starting off the month of August in Washington D.C., taking on the Nationals in a three-game series. This series will be the fourth meeting between these two teams this season. The Mets have dominated the Nationals so far, winning all three series and sweeping the last series back at the end of May.

After losing two-of-three to the Padres post the All-Star break, the Mets bounced back and swept the Yankees in a two-game series and the Marlins in a three-game series. This six-game winning streak matches the Mets’ season high. The offense was on fire in all five games, and the Mets had a season-high 19 hits against the Marlins on Sunday. The starting pitching was incredible in July, with a combined 2.42 ERA. Closer Edwin Diaz has been otherworldly this season:  he’s struck out 84 of the 160 batters he’s faced this season and has a 1.51 ERA.

The Nationals are in last place in the NL East. Coming out of the All-Star break, the Nationals have lost two of the three against the Diamondbacks, but won two of three against the Dodgers in L.A. The Nationals’ offense is headed by Juan Soto and Josh Bell, both of whom are on the trading block and may be moved before the August 2^nd deadline, though a Bell trade is more likely than a Soto trade. The Nationals signed DH Nelson Cruz before the season likely intending to trade him at the deadline, but he has been slumping a bit of late, so a decent return may be questionable.

Monday, August 1, 2022: RHP Max Scherzer (6-2, 2.09 ERA) vs. LHP Patrick Corbin (4-14, 6.49 ERA) 

Scherzer has been a true ace for the Mets since his return from the injured list. He had a tough-luck loss to the Padres in his first start after the All-Star break, but he tossed seven scoreless innings against the Yankees in his second start. Scherzer faced the Nationals in D.C. back on April 8^th. He gave up three runs in six innings of work and struck out six.

Corbin’s six-year deal has not gone the way the Nationals envisioned. Outside of their World Series win in 2019, the first year of his contract, Corbin has not been as advertised. This season has been more of the same for Corbin. In his most recent start, against the Dodgers, Corbin failed to make it out of the first inning. He recorded only two outs and gave up six runs on seven hits. Corbin has faced the Mets twice already this season. He gave up two runs in four innings during the first outing and tossed five scoreless innings in the second outing.

Tuesday, August 2, 2022: RHP Jacob deGrom (0-0, -.– ERA) vs. RHP Cory Abbott (0-0, 3.00 ERA)

DeGrom is finally making his long-awaited return to the mound for the Mets. It been almost 13 months since his last start on July 7, 2021.  DeGrom made a spring training start this year on March 22nd, but he missed his next start with shoulder tightness, which was eventually diagnosed as a stress reaction in his scapula. After spending over half the season recovering and rehabbing, it’s exciting to finally have deGrom back. His last rehab outing was a short one, as he needed 70 pitches to get through only four innings. The second inning was his downfall, as he gave up two homers and walked a couple of batters. In his career against the Nationals, deGrom has a 2.44 ERA in 133 innings. Considering the current state of the Nats, this should be a nice start to ease deGrom back into the swing of things.

Abbott made his major league debut in 2021 with the Chicago Cubs. He made one start and appeared in six games as a reliever. Abbott was the Cubs’ 2017 second-round draft pick, but they designated him for assignment back in April of this year to make room on their 40-man roster for some necessary starting help. Abbott was traded to the Giants for cash considerations before being claimed off of waivers by the Nationals. He’s pitched three innings of relief for the Nationals so far this season, his only major league appearances this year. Abbott’s one start in 2021 was against the Cardinals, and he went five innings, giving up two runs.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022: RHP Chris Bassitt (7-7, 3.83 ERA) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (0-3, 7.47 ERA)

Bassitt’s most recent start, against Miami, was an interesting one. It was his first start in ten days post the All-Star break, and his command was lacking in the early innings. He buckled down after giving up four runs over the first two innings, and ultimately gave the team a solid six innings of work. Bassitt’s only career start against the Nationals was earlier this year when he faced them in the opening series. He pitched six scoreless innings in that start, striking out eight.

The Nationals signed Sanchez to a minor league deal back on March 13. He suffered a cervical nerve impingement and was placed on the injured list on April 11. Sanchez did not make his season debut for the Nationals until July 14. He faced the Braves in that start, giving up four runs in five innings. Sanchez has made two other starts for the Nats since then. His most recent start was against the Cardinals, and he went 5 2/3 innings, giving up six runs.

Prediction

The Mets obviously have the advantage in this series. They should have no problem sweeping the Nats or at least taking two of three. The only potential risk is the Mets looking ahead to the upcoming Braves series and forgetting to take care of business against Washington. But the 2022 Mets seem different from years past, and I don’t think that will be a problem.