Series Preview: Mets Wrap Up Regular Season Against Washington

The New York Mets and Washington Nationals will wrap up the regular season against one another. The Mets have their sights set on the postseason and a slim chance of still winning the National League East division. The Nationals are looking ahead to five years from now when they hope to compete.

On the line for the Mets is a 100-win season and they will need to sweep Washington while getting some help from the Miami Marlins in their series against the Atlanta Braves. If the Mets feel they are set for the Wild Card then it could serve as an opportunity to get some key players off their feet for a few days and prepare for the postseason.

Monday, October 3, 2022: RHP Carlos Carrasco (15-7, 3.95) vs. RHP Cory Abbott (0-4, 5.11)

The series starts at 7:10 p.m. with Carrasco taking the mound for the Mets. Carrasco leads the Mets in wins despite leading qualified starters in ERA.

Carrasco last faced the Nationals on September 4. He lasted 2 and 2/3 innings with five runs allowed and one earned run. The Mets would lose 7-1. Carrasco has struggled with the last two turns in the rotation, allowing three runs in four innings against Milwaukee and four in three innings against Miami last week.

Abbott has made one start and two relief appearances against New York. His combined numbers for the year are seven innings pitched, three hits, four strikeouts and no runs allowed. The 27-year-old right-hander has allowed four runs in each of his last two starts.

Tuesday, October 4, 2022: RHP Taijuan Walker (12-5, 3.59) vs. RHP Paolo Espino (0-8, 4.30)

Walker has made only one start against the Nationals this season. On May 12, Walker threw seven innings, allowed three hits, no runs, and struck out one. But for the second straight season, Walker has been a completely different pitcher in the second half.

Walker’s first half: 16 starts, 7-2 record, 2.55 ERA, four home runs allowed, OPS against .582
Walker’s second half: 12 starts, 5-3 record, 5.14 ERA, 11 home runs allowed, OPS against .784

Walker’s playoff spot may be on the line here. If he can’t convert a win against a Nationals team that has nothing to play for this could be his lone appearance in October.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022: TBD vs. Erick Fedde (6-12, 5.27)

The last game of the season. The Mets and Nationals each might not have anything to play for. Maybe we see James McCann hit third this day for fun. Maybe Terrance Gore is the leadoff hitter. Maybe Francisco Alvarez is the catcher.

Hopefully none of that happens and the Mets can still win the division with a victory but the chances are slim. Otherwise this will be a game to forget and the Mets will get Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom properly lined up to face a likely opponent in the Padres for Game 1 and 2 of the Wild Card round.