The New York Mets (64-37, 54-47 RL, 50-45-7 O/U) take on the Washington Nationals (35-68, 42-58 RL, 47-50-3 O/U) in the first of a three-game divisional series on Monday evening. The Mets will have ace Max Scherzer on the hill targeting his fourth road win. The Nationals reply with a struggling Patrick Corbin. The Mets lead the season series 8-2.
The Mets will have Max Scherzer on the hill to begin the series on Monday. Scherzer was dominant in his latest effort, completing seven shutout innings against the potent Yankees offense, resulting in a no-decision in a game the Mets won. The veteran right-hander has dazzled since returning from the IL, recording a 1.39 ERA this month, and enters with a dazzling 2.09 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP accompanied by a 6-2 record in 82 innings of work on the season. Scherzer is 2-0 with a 5.03 ERA in 19.2 career innings against his former Nats team.
Francisco Lindor has driven in seven runs along with a decent .742 OPS against the Nationals this season. The 28-year-old shortstop is having an outstanding year, launching 17 big flies with 70 RBIs and a .762 OPS. Lindor is hot, collecting 13 base hits in his last seven games.
The Mets conti nue a six-game road trip. They completed the three-game sweep in Miami on the weekend and hold a slim 2.5-game lead ahead of the Braves atop the NL East. NY has been outstanding on the road where they have won four consecutive series.
The Mets are scoring an average of 4.67 runs per game, good for fifth overall. The pitching staff has posted a 3.56 team ERA, placing them sixth in the big leagues.