The Mets begin a three-game series with the Nationals tonight at 7:05 in Washington.
The Nats come into this series playing better than they have all season. They are currently 73-45, giving them the best winning percentage in all of baseball. Last week in my Braves series preview, I talked about how well the Braves are playing. The Nats have been even better than them. They have won eight of their last ten games and 12 of their last 15.
The Nationals have an offense that’s somewhat comperable to the one the Mets have. With the exception of home runs, they are just about even with the Mets in most major statistical categories. What’s carried them this year has been their starting pitching. Gio Gonzalez (who the Mets will face this weekend) was Washington’s big acquisition in the offseason. They were criticized for how much they had to give up for him, but Gonzalez has proven this season that the trade was worth it. He is having a career year and will be very tough to beat this weekend. The rest of the pitching staff has been solid as well. Washington’s starters ERA is first in the majors and they also have a very good bullpen, which has gotten even better since Drew Storen returned to the team last month.
The Mets have a tough task ahead of them in this series and with the way both teams are playing, it would be a miracle if the Mets somehow took this series from Washington.
Pitching Matchups
Game 1- Tonight 7:05
Johan Santana (112 IP, 84 ERA+, 2.74 K/BB)
vs.
Ross Detwiler (116 IP, 125 ERA+, 2.24 K/BB)
Game 2- Saturday 7:05
Jonathon Niese (144.2 IP, 105 ERA+, 3.21 K/BB)
vs.
Edwin Jackson (137 IP, 106 ERA+, 2.50 K/BB)
Game 3- Sunday 1:35
Jeremy Hefner (56.2 IP, 81 ERA+, 3.30 K/BB)
vs.
Gio Gonzalez (147.2 IP, 120 ERA+, 2.82 K/BB)
Team Comparison
Notes
- The Nationals have activated Ian Desmond from the 15-day DL. Desmond has been out since July 21 with an oblique injury. He will be a big addition to the lineup. In 364 at-bats this season, Desmond has hit .286 with 17 home runs and 15 stolen bases. They designated Cesar Izturis for assignment.
- Since returning to the Nationals after almost three months on the DL, Jayson Werth has caught fire. Since coming back, he is hitting .405 in 42 at-bats.
- Ryan Zimmerman has also played well of late. Since July 1, he is hitting .346 with 11 home runs in 41 games.
- Bryce Harper has cooled down this month, hitting just .170 over 53 at-bats.
- Let’s go Mets!
11 comments
darknova306
8/17/2012-5:50pm at 5:50 pm (UTC -4)
Safe to say that the Mets will be lucky to win a game this weekend. At least their winning percentage in the second half is back over .300… that’s something, i guess.
Stickguy
8/17/2012-6:00pm at 6:00 pm (UTC -4)
well, Saturday is in the bag. I will be there in person, so there will be no stopping my guarantee pull.
2-3 this weekend. book it.
gategem
8/17/2012-8:55pm at 8:55 pm (UTC -4)
I’m assuming you never bet according to your guarantees or you would be homeless. In fact if one reads your guarantees and bets the opposite they would be wealthy, indeed.
Stick
8/17/2012-10:00pm at 10:00 pm (UTC -4)
well, there are still 2 games left this series. so have faith.
and why are you not wealthy, since I am apparently giving you all the winners?
gategem
8/17/2012-11:39pm at 11:39 pm (UTC -4)
I have a young girl friend all the ex-wives and kids to support.
Mr North Jersey
8/17/2012-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
Nice job with the layout to this post Connor.
Stick
8/17/2012-10:59pm at 10:59 pm (UTC -4)
pet peeve time. I keep hearing this “sandy is horrid, he didn’t spend any money, blah blah blah…”
actually, “sandy” is spending about 94mill this year. 14th in MLB, so top 1/2. And 3rd in the NL east (and ironically, the payroll and standings are in reverse order!)
so the Mets are spending a reasonable amount. Just that many people only look on new contracts handed out every year as spending, as opposed to counting what is already on the books (and related, not offsetting new spending by what comes off the books).
Trs86
8/17/2012-11:23pm at 11:23 pm (UTC -4)
Actually they see the record cuts but forget who made most of the money cut. Same with Bay and maybe Johan. If our payroll was at 54M this year would we be playing any worse than we are now?
Stick
8/17/2012-11:32pm at 11:32 pm (UTC -4)
santana did something, but very true, if you just skipped bay entirely, you would have more than 15mill more lopped off, and have to have a better team.
so last year, at least 18 of the cuts was not even on the team, so it really did not count anyway IMO.
but real interesting? losing 2 top bats, cutting 50mill, and the team is right around the same record So if anything, they are doing better this year!
gategem
8/17/2012-11:42pm at 11:42 pm (UTC -4)
The ratio of wins versus payroll is improved but on the field they’re basically the same.
Trs86
8/18/2012-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
Exactly and attendance is not 54 million in revenue down either. So the Mets may have actually profited this year…