Game Chat: Nationals vs Mets, 7:10 PM

Tuesday, July 9, 2024 • 7:10 PM Citi Field • Flushing, NY RHP Jake Irvin (7-6, 2.80) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (3-5, 4.22) SNY The Mets come back home after splitting a road trip 4-4 against the Nationals and the Pirates. They now have two more big series ahead of them before heading into the […]

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Tuesday, July 9, 2024 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Jake Irvin (7-6, 2.80) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (3-5, 4.22)
SNY

The Mets come back home after splitting a road trip 4-4 against the Nationals and the Pirates. They now have two more big series ahead of them before heading into the All-Star break. They play the Nationals again followed by the Rockies. How much the Mets lean into being buyers or sellers can depend on what they do in this last week of the first half of the season.

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Brandon Nimmo – CF
3. J.D. Martinez – DH
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. Francisco Alvarez – C
6. DJ Stewart – RF
7. Mark Vientos – 3B
8. Jeff McNeil – 2B
9. Harrison Bader – CF

Jose Quintana has made 17 starts for the Mets this season totaling 89 2/3 innings with a 4.22 ERA, 4.89 FIP, 1.338 WHIP and a 91 ERA+. In Quintana’s last four starts, he has allowed only four runs (three earned) over 23 1/3 innings (1.16 ERA, 3.81 FIP). This includes a fantastic start his last time out on July 4 against the Nationals, when he held them scoreless over seven innings, scattering four hits and three walks.

The Nationals have the following career numbers against Quintana:

• CJ Abrams 0-6, K
• Riley Adams 3-9, 2 K
• Luis García Jr. 1-2, 2B, K
• Harold Ramirez 2-5
• Keibert Ruiz 1-5
• Lane Thomas 3-10, BB, K
• Ildemaro Vargas 1-8, 3 K
• Jesse Winker 3-15, 2B, 5 K
• James Wood 1-2, BB
• Juan Yepez 0-1, BB, K
• Jacob Young 1-5, 2B, BB, K

Opposing Lineup

1. CJ Abrams – SS
2. Lane Thomas – RF
3. James Wood – LF
4. Harold Ramírez – DH
5. Juan Yepez – 1B
6. Keibert Ruiz – C
7. Luis García Jr. – 2B
8. Trey Lipscomb – 3B
9. Jacob Young – CF

The Mets bats will be facing Jake Irvin again. Over 18 games and 106 innings, Irvin as a 2.80 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 1.000 WHIP and a 142 ERA+. In his last eight starts, he has posted a 1.65 ERA (3.11 FIP) over 49 innings. He’s been even better in his last three games, holding opponents to only two runs across 20 innings while striking out 23 batters. He was phenomenal against the Mets in his last start, holding the Mets to just a walk and a hit over eight innings.

The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 0-5, 3 K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-5, 2 K
• Ben Gamel 0-3, K
• Francisco Lindor 2-6, 2B, 2 K
• J.D. Martinez 1-4, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 1-5, K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-6
• DJ Stewart 0-2, BB, K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-3, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 0-3, K

Game Notes

The Mets acquired reliever Phil Maton from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash or a player to be named later. Joey Lucchesi was surprisingly designated for assignment to make room for Maton on the 40-man roster.

Starling Marte will get imaging done Thursday on his knee to determine the next steps in his recovery. He’s been on the injured list for about four weeks.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Brandon Nimmo: Nimmo, snubbed again by the All-Star committee on Sunday night had a huge day at the plate Monday for the Mets going 2-for-4 with his 14th homer of the season. In his last 30 games, he has a .403 OBP and a .581 slugging.
2. Familiar Foes: Both Quintana and Irvin had great outings against their opponents the last time out. It also was an unusual game for everyone with an 11:00 a.m. start time. How will the hitters adjust to seeing their opposing pitchers so recently?
3. James Wood update. The last time the Mets and Nationals met, the Nationals called up their top prospect James Wood. Wood went 4-for-13 against the Mets—all singles—while working four walks (leading to a very good .471 OBP). Since then he has finally hit a double and a homer and still has a .400 OBP for his career. His strikeouts however have increased since facing the Mets. He only struck out twice in four games against the Mets. He has seven strikeouts in four games since. He’s batting third tonight.

Let’s go Mets!

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