The Mets are starting to hit stride right into their series against the Nationals
The leaders of the National League East are finally hitting their stride. Just in time for their series against the Nationals.
After starting the season 2-3, the Mets haven’t looked back. Since then, they’ve gone 16-4, sitting at an MLB-best 18-7. They’re currently riding a seven-game win streak, fresh off sweeps of the Cardinals and Phillies.
So, what’s driving the surge? It’s the pitching.
This Mets staff is dominant right now. They enter this series leading MLB in several major categories:
- Lowest team ERA: 2.34
- Fewest runs allowed: 58
- Fewest home runs given up: 10
- Most strikeouts: 239
And while the starting rotation has been strong, the bullpen is a huge part of the story:
- 2nd lowest bullpen ERA: 2.35
- Fewest home runs allowed by a bullpen: 5
- 2nd fewest earned runs allowed: 25
The Nationals just faced the Orioles, who rank dead last in team ERA at 5.45. Now, they get the polar opposite in the Mets.
Offensively, things are still coming together. Juan Soto is off to a slow start by his standards, hitting just .233 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs, though he’s still getting on base with a .364 OBP. As a team, the Mets hold a .234 batting average which ranks 19th in MLB. But the top of the lineup is producing. Leadoff hitter Francisco Lindor is locked in, slashing .309/.364/.505. Pete “Polar Bear” Alonso bat is turning every ball thrown at him into a hit. Alonso is tied for 2nd in the league with 26 RBIs and ranks 5th in batting average at .341.
One of the most exciting young players in this lineup is Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Ronald Acuña Jr. In his first full season, Acuña is hitting .283/.356/.377. He was acquired from the Rangers in 2023 in the Max Scherzer trade and brings a ton of upside. The kid can play.
Game 1 – Friday, 6:45
- NYM starter: Kodai Senga – 4 GS, 0.79 ERA, 20 SO and 0.56 WHIP
- WAS starter: Jake Irvin – 5 GS, 3.68 ERA, 27 SO and 1.06 WHIP
Senga leads the national league with his 0.79 ERA. In his last outing against the Cardinals, he allowed three hits and two walks in 5.2 scoreless innings. Generating fifteen first pitch strikes and ten whiffs.
In my opinion, Senga will have a harder time facing a team like the Nationals, who are fourth in the league in strikeouts.
In Irvin’s last start against the Rockies threw nine strikeouts his best total since June 23, 2024. 55 of his 83 pitches were strikes, outside of the home runs to Zac Veen and Braxton Fulford of the Rockies.
Irvin pitched 6.1 innings for the Nats, a dominant performance. He has settled in after some rocky performances earlier in the year. Let’s see if the Mets bite on that curveball of his.
Game 2 – Saturday, 4:05
- NYM starter: Clay Holmes – 5 GS, 3.16 ERA, 34 SO and 1.36 WHIP
- WAS starter: Brad Lord – 5 GS, 4.73 ERA, 10 SO and 1.88 WHIP
Holmes, a converted late inning relief pitcher of the Yankees now starter for the Mets, looks like he made the right decision. Talking about someone that has settled in, Holmes in his last two outings has only given up a combined two runs. Holmes has a six pitch arsenal leading with his sinker ball.
In Lord’s last outing we saw him strike out a season high five batters and go four innings. 46 of his 65 pitches were strikes and forced 13 whiffs, eight of those from his fastball. If you have been watching Nats baseball this season you can see Lord’s growth.
Yes, he is still an “opener” for the Nats just trying to eat innings before the next guy from the bullpen comes out. But Dave Martinez’s leash has loosened quite a bit, we’ll have to wait and see how long his leash is against the Mets.
Game 3 – Sunday, 1:35
- NYM starter: Tylor Megill – 5 GS, 1.09 ERA, 30 SO and 1.26 WHIP
- WAS starter: Mitchell Parker 5 GS, 1.39 ERA, 20 SO and 0.93 WHIP
Dominate to start the year is Tylor Megil, in his last outing against the Phillies he threw ten strikeouts in 5.1 scoreless innings of work, while only allowing one hit. It was the first time Megill had thrown double digit strikeouts since his rookie campaign in 2021.
Generating a season high 14 whiffs. Megill is in his five starts this year he has not gone past the 5.1 innings mark. Not like that helps, since the Mets have the second best bullpen in baseball.
Lefty, Mitchell Parker pitched through eight innings and gave up one hit against the Orioles. The second time he’s pitched a scoreless game this year. So far Parker has shown tons of improvement and the future looks bright.
The 16% strikeout rate is concerning but at least he is getting far more grounders than he was last year. This is going to be a great test for the fast ball pitcher.
We cannot forget that the Nationals bullpen is the worst in the MLB but the starting rotation has started to settle in, and the offense is showing signs of life. This upcoming series against the red hot Mets is the perfect test to gauge just where this Nationals team stands. Can they hang with one of the best in baseball, or will the bullpen woes once again crumble them?