The true halfway point of the season is when Friday’s game ends which makes this statistically the last game against the Mets in the mathematical first half of the season. The Nationals and Mets play again in 2 weeks in a 4-game Thursday to Sunday weekend series in New York before the All-Star break starts which is baseball’s traditional ending to the first half of the season. After the All-Star break, the Mets and Nationals only have 2 series remaining on the schedule with one on Labor Day weekend in New York then a home series in Washington on September 12th to 14th.
The Cubs head to Citifield after their game today for a 4-game series against the Mets. The implications are huge to the standings if the Nats can take care of business and the Cubs help out. It all begins tonight as the Nats send Max Scherzer to the mound to face fill-in Logan Verrett for the Mets. The Miami Marlins have a 4-game series against the Atlanta Braves starting tomorrow.
Who knows what the standings will look like at the All-Star break, and with the Mets injury issues you have to wonder if Sandy Alderson is a seller when July turns into August at the MLB Trade Deadline. The Marlins are also contemplating their options for some deadline trades. Tough choices for many teams coming up.
For today’s game, the Nats have faced Verrett before in limited action as a reliever, and Dusty Baker is going with his “A” line-up.
Here are the Nats stats against Logan Verrett:
Here is Max Scherzer’s stats against the Mets:
Washington Nationals and New York Mets
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN, ESPN2, SNY, MLB.tv
Line-ups (subject to change without notice):
- Ben Revere CF
- Jayson Werth LF
- Bryce Harper RF
- Daniel Murphy 2B
- Wilson Ramos C
- Ryan Zimmerman 1B
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Danny Espinosa SS
- Max Scherzer RHP
