For the first time in 2016 the New York Mets and Washington Nationals will battle for National League East supremacy.
The New York Mets have been slumping recently, ending their long West Coast trip in disappointing fashion.They ended their 11 game road trip losing their last four games, which included a sweep by the under .500 Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Finally, the Mets return home to Citi Field. However, somebody special is waiting in the wings.
That special club is the Washington Nationals, with whom they will start a crucial three game series at Citi Field.
I know the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins are making this National League East division a more competitive one than expected, but in the end, I fully expect the Mets and the Nats to battle it out for the NL East title. So, this first series between the two could be the first of many important games to decide the division.
Even if it’s just May, this series will already have the feel of playoff baseball. Along with the competitiveness these two teams can bring, there will also be the return of an old friend. Former Met Daniel Murphy who came up big last October, will make his first visit to Citi Field since he signed with the division rival Nats.
It’ll be the Mets. It’ll be the Nationals. It’ll be round one.
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Noah Syndergaard, RHP vs Max Scherzer, RHP
Terrific pitching matchup right here. You couldn’t have this series start any better if you tried.
Noah Syndergaard has gotten off to a sizzling start this season, picking up where he left off at the end of last season. Other than a couple of hiccups vs the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres back to back, he’s been nearly unhittable this year, especially now that he’s developed a 95 mph slider to his repertoire.
In his last start, not only did he throw eight strong innings, but he also homered twice and drove in all four of the Mets runs.
Max Scherzer’s overall numbers may not be great but in his last start, he enjoyed a start for the ages tying an MLB record with 20 strikeouts. In Scherzer’s last outing vs the Mets at the end of last year, he no hit them.
This should be one epic matchup.
Game 2: Bartolo Colon, RHP vs Gio Gonzalez, LHP
After hitting a stunning home run against the San Diego Padres, Colon struggled in his next start in L.A., giving up five runs in just five innings. Still, Colon has been reliable for most of this season and he will be asked to come up even bigger against a formidable opponent.
Gonzalez, who was a former 20+ game winner back in 2012, is quietly off to a good start going 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA. With the Mets carrying a good number of left handed hitters, Gio will still be a tough matchup for them.
Game 3: Matt Harvey, RHP vs Steven Strasburg, RHP
Unless the Mets decide to go with Steven Matz – who was cleared of any ligament damage yesterday – it will be The Dark Knight facing off with the 6-0 Strasburg, who just recently got a new massive contract extension. Unlike Stras, Harvey has not been himself all year, and it is starting to become baffling after more than a month.
If only Harvey pitched like the Dark Knight this matchup would’ve been just as hyped as the Scherzer-Syndergaard in the opener. Mets fans can only hope that the division rival Nats coming to town, which could create a playoff atmosphere along with Strasburg on the other side, could finally wake up Harvey who always has had a flair for the dramatics.
Harvey has had past success pitching against Strasburg, beating him twice back in 2013 and 2015, both in April. Harvey was much better in those stretches than he has been so far this year so the Mets will need the old Harvey back.
Keys To A Series Win
Mets bats need to wake up
Other than Yoenis Cespedes, the Mets bats have fallen asleep recently, especially in the three games they got swept at Colorado. So far this season, it’s been simple. When the Mets hit, especially home runs, they win. That was the key to their winning ways in the middle of last season and the Mets bats need to get on track again.
Contain Daniel Murphy
Daneil Murphy is off to sizzling start, batting .400 to start the year with five home runs.
He has provided great protection for Bryce Harper. Harper may still be the hitter opponents will focus on the most but don’t forget about Murphy. Murph should be amped up to face his former team so the Mets have to be careful and not let him beat them especially late in the game.
Players To Watch
Daniel Murphy
Once again, Murphy will be one of the focal points of this series, not only because he’s making his Big Apple return, but thanks to his hot start. He’s picked up where he left off last fall.
Max Scherzer
Scherzer had one of the games of his life in his last with 20 Ks. How will he follow it up against a Mets team that does have a tendency to strike out a lot? As good as Scherzer is, it will be awfully tough to be close to duplicating what he last did and with the Mets slumping, they will be desperate to break out.
Noah Syndergaard
Who else? The man nicknamed Thor showed another side to his vast potential in his last start by homering twice. I won’t expect him to duplicate that, of course, but his dynamic pitching will always be something to watch.
Yoenis Cespedes
Ces has been the only consistent Mets hitter recently and him coming up huge in this series will be big for the Mets too. Cespedes should also be amped up after nearly signing with the Nats this offseason before re-signing with the Mets for less money. Cespedes came up huge in last season’s Mets sweep of the Nats in D.C. last September that helped the Mets run away with the division.
Game Times
- Game 1: Tuesday, 7:10 PM ET, SNY
- Game 2: Wednesday, 7:10 PM ET, SNY, ESPN
- Game 3: Thursday, 7:10 PM ET, SNY
Predictions
The Mets will wake up after a sluggish ending to their road trip. The fact that the Nats are coming and the Mets will have their first series with their main division rivals, could create a playoff atmosphere, should boost the Mets again.
Syndergaard and Scherzer will make their anticipated matchup for real by both throwing zeroes. I believe Harvey will finally show up and I think this series will at least get him going and should boost his confidence again with a Harvey like start.
Murphy will continue his torrid pace against his former team but Harper will not get many chances and will be intentionaly walked numerous times.
Finally, other than Cespedes, Neil Walker will get his groove back, knowing his predecessor Murphy is on the other side. Walker had three hits, including a homer on Saturday vs the Rockies so it slowly looks like he’s getting back in form again.
Mets will take two-of-three.