The Mets try to extend their winning streak to four games tonight as they take on the Nationals in game two of their four game series.
Last night the Mets played a game unlike any they have ever played. The Mets and Nationals traded leads throughout the game with the Nationals tying the game late and sending it into extra innings. The Mets and Nationals both wasted a runner at third in the tenth, and both scored one run in the 11th. Then the Mets scored 10 runs in the 12th inning. The Nationals ended up having a position player finish off the inning.
Now the Mets, who are tired, will ride that momentum wave behind their ace tonight!
Nolan McLean has pitched 52 1/3 innings over nine starts with a 2.92 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 0.955 WHIP and a 136 ERA+. He allowed three runs in the first inning against the Tigers the last time out and he still went seven innings. McLean faced the Nationals once last year near the end of the season allowing three runs, one earned over five innings. The Nationals have the following numbers against McLean:
- CJ Abrams 0-3, K
- Brady House 1-2
- Daylen Lile 0-3
- Nasim Nuñez 0-2, K
- James Wood 0-1, 2 BB, K
Foster Griffin has pitched 51 innings over nine starts with a 3.53 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.137 WHIP and a 113 ERA+ in his first season back in the states after pitching three seasons in Japan. From April 26th to May 8th Griffin made three starts allowing five runs, only one earned, over 20 innings while striking out 20 batters. In his last start he allowed nine runs from seven hits over 4 1/3 innings against the Reds. No one on the Mets has faced Griffin in a major league game.
Three Things To Watch For:
- The Top of the Lineup. The Mets top of the lineup has struggled at points this season. Over the last week things have gotten better with Carson Benge in the leadoff spot and with Soto heating up. Bo Bichette’s struggles have held the top of the lineup back, until last night. Benge, Bichette and Soto combined to go 8-for-17 with six runs, 8 RBI’s and four walks. Bichette had his best night as a Met going 3-for-6 with two runs, three RBI’s and his third home run of the season. After a game like last night the big three at the top of the lineup teeing off early tonight will go a big way to set the tone.
- Nolan McLean’s fastball vs breaking ball. McLean has thrown his sinker 36.6% and his four seamer 18.1% of the time this year. His sinker has a .169 BA, .205 xBA with a 9 Run Value according to statcast. His four seamer has a .185 BA, .270 xBA with a 2 run value. Taken together his fastball has a run value in the 98th percentile this year. His breaking ball though is in the 44th percentile of run value. Batters are hitting his sweeper at a .304 clip, despite a .238 xBA.
- The Bullpen is tired. The Mets used everyone in the bullpen yesterday except Daniel Duarte, Sean Manaea and Devin Williams. Sean Manaea tossed 57 pitches on Sunday and Devin Williams pitched in back-to-back games over the weekend. Everyone the Mets used yesterday tossed at least 19 pitches and four pitches were used on Saturday. This feels like a recipe for Duarte to make his 2026 debut this evening. Duarte last pitched in the majors in 2024 allowing one run over four innings. In 2023 he had a 3.69 ERA, 5.84 FIP and a 127 ERA+ over 31 games. Duarte was having success in Syracuse with a 2.60 ERA, 1.269 WHIP over 17 1/3 innings.
Let’s Go Mets!
