The New York Mets will try to end a disappointing season on a positive note when they visit the Washington Nationals for a three-game series beginning Friday night.
New York (73-86), which took two of three games from the Texas Rangers this week, would pass the Nationals (75-84) for fourth place in the National League East with a sweep this weekend. Losing the series would leave the Mets with their lowest full-season win total since they won 70 games in 2017.
Washington, meanwhile, already has its most wins since recording 93 in 2019.
CJ Abrams has 33 homers, James Wood has 30, and Daylen Lile has 22. And Cade Cavalli won’t pitch again this season but has emerged as the team’s ace, going 13-5 with a 3.02 ERA.
After a 4-2 win at the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, Washington has won or tied its past four series.
“It’s good to see a lot of progress, a lot to be excited about moving forward,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “It makes you feel good about where you’re heading.”
The year has not been all bad for the Mets. Nolan McLean (12-10, 3.16 ERA) led a group of young pitchers — including Zac Thornton, Christian Scott and Jonah Tong — that enjoyed solid seasons.
“Every single one of them can pitch at least a rung further up the ladder than they’re doing right now,” Mets manager Andy Green said of the organization’s young starters. “And that’s great for us.”
Rookie outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing have been impressive as everyday players, and Juan Soto enters the weekend with an outside shot at a fourth straight 30-homer season despite missing significant time due to injury.
The Mets have not yet named a starting pitcher for the series opener, while left-hander Andrew Alvarez (2-6, 3.17 ERA) will go for the Nationals.
Alvarez is 0-0 with a 1.16 ERA over his last four starts, allowing three runs in 23 1/3 innings and striking out 27 batters.
Against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, he tossed six shutout innings in his team’s 8-5, 11-inning victory. He tied his career high with eight strikeouts while walking one.
Alvarez lost to the Mets on Aug. 14 when he allowed two runs on two hits over 5 1/3 innings. He is 0-2 with a 5.54 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) vs. them.
On Thursday, the Mets fell 3-1 to the Texas Rangers. Thornton went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four and walking one. The 24-year-old finished with a 3.42 ERA.
“I always thought I’d be up here this year; I didn’t know to what extent it would be,” Thornton said after his final start of the season. “I wouldn’t say I surprised myself. I feel everywhere I’ve gone to pitch I’ve succeeded.”
Against the Tigers on Wednesday, Washington’s Nasim Nunez stole his 49th base of the season to set a Nationals (2005-present) team record.
“I’m not surprised, but I think the thing that I’m most proud of with Nas is how much he’s grown on the bases by not forcing the envelope,” Butera said.
Yohandy Morales hit a two-run homer and Abrams drove in his 103rd run of the season.
–Field Level Media
