Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
In 2019, the Washington Nationals were picked as the team to win the NL East. It was expected so when the team got healthy in mid-May they put their 19-31 record behind them, and went on the most amazing run in over 100 years to win the World Series. Even if the Nats win tonight with six wins in this seven game span to get to 19-31, this Nationals team was picked by almost every analyst to finish last in the NL East. Before play today, the Nats are just five win behind the Phillies for third place in the NL East. But the team the Nats are playing in this game are running away with the NL East with a 32-17 record. Even with injuries to Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tylor Megill, the Mets are finding ways to win.
While there could be this feeling of déjà vu with 19-31, the main thing in this organization is developing players in the minor league system, and on the Major League roster is seeing the cream rise to the top. You want to win each game and compete, but you also need to see who will be part of the future. Right now, tonight’s starter for the Nats, Erick Fedde, is the No. 1 pitcher on this staff with a 3.55 ERA. When analyzing the ranking of the top pitchers by ERA, Fedde ranks 50th overall in MLB for starters with a minimum of 40 innings. The Top-30 is your No. 1 starters, and Top-31-60 is your No. 2 starters. In the Majors, Fedde would be a No. 2 starter, and that is a real step up for him.
On Fedde’s record this season, he has two scoreless starts against the two teams from Los Angeles, and one of those wins includes that huge 1-0 win over the Dodgers last week. If you remove Fedde’s blow-up start against the Diamondbacks earlier in the season, his ERA improves by one run per game to a 2.55 in his other eight starts.
With the Mets starting the lefty David Peterson, Nats’ manager Dave Martinez will once again go with eight batters who will bat right-handed against him plus the lefty Juan Soto.
Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets
Stadium: CitiField, Queens, New York
1st Pitch: 7:10 pm EDT
TV: MASN; SNY; MLB App (out-0f-market only)
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Lineups (subject to change without notice):
We're in Long Island.#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/O6Qj4TdAbl
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 30, 2022
