Series Preview: Mets Searching For a Spark in D.C.

New York Mets were 14-7 after a win over the San Francisco Giants on Apr. 21. Since then, they are 4-13 and have fallen to fourth in the National League East. The Mets have lost each of their last five series, something they have not done since 2012. Pressure is beginning to mount for this team as they look to rediscover the level of performances they showed through most of April.

The Mets will look for better results against a Washington Nationals team that has won six of their last 10. These two teams faced off at the end of April, with the Nationals taking two of three at Citi Field. Dave Martinez‘s team will look to improve their winning percentage at home, as they are only 6-12 at Nationals Park this season.

Friday, May 12, 2023: RHP Tylor Megill (3-2, 4.33 ERA) vs. LHP MacKenzie Gore (3-2, 3.65)

The achilles heel for Tylor Megill has been his inability to give the Mets length out of the rotation. He has only pitched through five innings in one of his last three starts, and even when he has been able to get through the order twice, teams have been able to figure him out. Megill has surrendered 13 runs over his last four starts, raising his ERA from 3.00 to 4.33 during that stretch. The right-hander will be looking for better results against the Nationals, who he has a 6.52 ERA in 19 1/3 inning against throughout his time in the majors.

MacKenzie Gore has shown some inconsistencies in the early stages of the 2023 season. The left-hander is averaging an impressive 11.7 strikeouts per nine, effectively utilizing his four-seam fastball and curveball. His 4.6 walks per nine is a concern, so it will be important for the Mets to be patient at the plate. Gore will be making his second start of the year against New York, giving up one run on four hits while striking out 10 in six innings on Apr. 26.

Saturday, May 13, 2023: LHP Joey Lucchesi (1-0, 4.43 ERA) vs. RHP Trevor Williams (1-1, 4.25 ERA)

Joey Lucchesi returned to the mound with an incredible performance, throwing seven scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants back on Apr. 21. The left-hander has yet to find any further success, giving up at least three runs in each of his last three starts. He could only throw four innings in his last outing, allowing three runs to score on four hits in a total of 70 pitches against the Colorado Rockies last Sunday. Lucchesi is 1-0 with a 4.38 ERA in 24 2/3 innings against the Nationals throughout his career.

The former New York Met has yet to find the same amount of success he had as a long reliever in 2022. Williams is coming off his worst outing of the season, surrendering five runs on seven hits with 4 1/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 7. The Nationals would win that game, earning the right-hander a no-decision for his performance. Williams has solid numbers against the Mets throughout his career, owning a 3-1 record with a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings of work.

Sunday, May 14, 2023: TBD vs. RHP Jake Irvin (1-0, 0.84 ERA)

This may be a spot for Max Scherzer to reinsert himself into the rotation, although his nagging neck spasms will need to subside for him to pitch. If he cannot go, the Mets may ask David Peterson to come back and pitch after he struggles against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. The left-hander is up to a 7.68 ERA for the season after allowing four runs to score on seven hits in just 3 1/3 innings.

Jake Irvin has impressed in his limited time with the Nationals big league roster. The 26-year-old right-hander has given up one run in a total of 10 2/3 innings. He was dominant in his last appearance, throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out five in a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants last Monday. This will be Irvin’s second start at Nationals Park, only pitching 4 1/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs on May 3.

Monday, May 15, 2023: TBD vs. LHP Patrick Corbin (1-5, 4.87 ERA)

The Mets have yet to announce a starter for the series finale in D.C., but this would be Justin Verlander‘s spot in the rotation if he can go. He struggled in his first start against the Detroit Tigers, but his last start against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday gave the Mets fanbase a glimpse of his capabilities. Verlander allowed one run to score on just two hits in seven innings of work, earning his first win with the team. The 40-year-old has excellent numbers against the Nationals, owning a 3-0 record with a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings.

Patrick Corbin struggled in 2022, but it looks like he may be showing some signs of progression at 33. The left-hander has given up three runs or less in five consecutive starts, dropping his ERA from 7.71 to 4.87. Corbin was able to limit the damage in his last appearance, only surrendering two runs in six innings despite giving up eight hits against the San Francisco Giants. He has quite a bit of experience against the Mets, holding a 6-10 record with a 4.47 ERA in 24 starts.