NEW YORK — As much as the Nationals have dominated the Marlins this season, they have been dominated by the Mets. A loss tonight would drop the Nats’ record against New York to 2-11, the exact opposite of their record against Miami. Yes, there were some close games, including three extra-inning losses, but overall this was an incredibly one-sided matchup in 2024.
They will try to at least finish on a positive note and win tonight’s finale at Citi Field, but that’s a tough task. The Nationals have scored two runs so far in the series, which isn’t exactly a recipe for success. They need to do more at bat, and that will be difficult against veteran left-hander Jose Quintana, who hasn’t allowed them a run in 14 innings this year.
Luis García Jr., who left Tuesday’s game with a right wrist injury, is not in the lineup tonight. While he might not have played against the left-hander anyway, we can’t say for sure if the injury will keep him out of the game. Dylan Crews, on the other hand, is pushed back to second after hitting three hits in the seventh in his first game.
DJ Herz is making his third start of the season against the Mets. He was great in one of those (zero runs, 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings), and not very good in the other (four runs in four innings in his major league debut). The rookie will need to be at his best tonight in what could be his second-to-last appearance of the year.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at NEW YORK METS
Where: Citi Field
Playing time: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Chance of rain late, 22 degrees, wind 16 km/h from midfield
NATIONAL
SS CJ Abrams
by Dylan Crews
LF James Wood
DH Andrés Chaparro
1B Juan Yepez
2B Jose Tena
3B Ildemaro Vargas
C Drew Millas
CF Jacob Young
LHP DJ Herz
METS
2B Jose Iglesias
DH Starling Marte
LF Brandon Nimmo
1B Pete Alonso
Thomas R.
3B Mark Vientos
C Francisco Alvarez
CF Harrison Bader
SS Luisangel Acuña
LHP José Quintana
