The New York Mets and the Washington Nationals are slated for an exciting face-off in the final game of their four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Despite a valiant effort, the Mets fell to the Nationals 7-5 on Wednesday after Washington rallied late in the game. The Mets had previously secured tense 10-inning victories in the first two games of the series, illustrating the competitive nature of this matchup.
The Mets, with a balanced .500 record at 42-42, currently occupy the third spot in the National League East. Their recent form has been impressive, securing 14 wins in their last 19 games. On the other side, the Washington Nationals sit fourth in the division with a 40-46 record, having struggled recently with seven losses in their last nine games. The first pitch for the concluding game is set for 11:05 a.m. ET, with the Mets entering as slight favorites with a money line of -114 compared to Washington's -105. The run line places New York at -1.5 (+139), while the over/under for total runs stands at 9.
New York holds a narrow edge in their historical contest against Washington, leading the all-time series 474-468, a statistic that underlines the closely matched nature of these teams. The pitching duel on Thursday will feature Jose Quintana for the Mets and Jake Irvin for the Nationals. Quintana, with a season record of 3-5 and a 4.57 ERA, has shown consistency of late. Notably, he hasn't conceded more than three earned runs in any start since May 10. In his recent outing against Houston, he delivered four innings, yielding two earned runs on six hits while striking out seven, contributing to a 7-2 Mets victory.
Meanwhile, Jake Irvin will take the mound for Washington, bringing a 6-6 record and an impressive 3.03 ERA into the game. In his last outing against Tampa Bay, Irvin showcased his prowess by pitching six innings, allowing only one earned run on one hit, complemented by three walks and five strikeouts. Irvin also delivered a stellar performance against Colorado on June 23, striking out ten while allowing just one earned run over six innings. His reliability will be crucial for the Nationals as they aim to level the series.
On the offensive front, Brandon Nimmo has been a key contributor for the Mets, batting .248 for the season. He boasts notable stats with 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. Nimmo's form in the recent games has been encouraging, registering hits in seven of the past ten games. Remarkably, he went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs in a 10-5 loss to Houston and followed it up with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double, two RBIs, and a run scored in the 7-2 victory on Tuesday.
For the Nationals, C.J. Abrams has been a standout performer with a .283 batting average this season. His impressive tally includes 20 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 53 runs scored over 78 games. Abrams has shown consistency, delivering four multi-hit games in his last eight appearances. This includes back-to-back three-hit games against San Diego on June 24 and 25, underscoring his form and impact. Additionally, Abrams went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to New York and had a double and home run in an 8-1 victory at Tampa Bay on Saturday, showcasing his ability to influence games significantly.
As the Mets and Nationals prepare for the final showdown, both teams will be aiming to capitalize on their strengths and address any vulnerabilities exposed in the series so far. With the pitching matchups set and key players in good form, fans can expect an enthralling conclusion to what has already been a tightly contested series.