Mets vs. Nationals, July 28: Carlos Carrasco goes for third straight win at 7:10 p.m on SNY
Mets #Mets
New York Mets starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies. / John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets (49-54) and Washington Nationals (43-61) continue their four-game weekend set as they square off Saturday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.
Mets Notes
The Mets are 11-24 against left-handed starters this season
With back-to-back wins to open the series, New York has improved to 13-8 in July
Pete Alonso went deep twice on Friday, giving him 30 for the season
Alonso is just the second player in franchise history to have four seasons of 30+ homers, the other is Mike Piazza
The slugger is hitting .423 with a 1.038 OPS, two doubles, a triple, four homers, and 10 RBI over his seven games
Alonso is a career .350 hitter with five home runs in 40 at-bats against Nats starter Patrick Corbin
Jeff McNeil, who is hitting .370 over his last seven games, is a career .313 hitter against the southpaw
METS
NATIONALS
Brandon Nimmo, CF
CJ Abrams, SS
Francisco Lindor, SS
Lane Thomas, RF
Pete Alonso, DH
Jeimer Candelario, 3B
Tommy Pham, LF
Joey Meneses, DH
Jeff McNeil, RF
Luis Garcia, 2B
Mark Canha, 1B
Dominic Smith, 1B
Francisco Alvarez, C
Stone Garrett, LF
Mark Vientos, 3B
Riley Adams, C
Danny Mendick, 2B
Alex Call, CF
Who is starting for the Mets?
Carlos Carrasco takes the ball for the Mets in his final start before the trade deadline.
The veteran right-hander has had a bit of a rough season so far and could find himself on the outside looking in of this rotation. Through 14 starts, he’s posted a 5.82 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts while allowing at least one homer in all but three outings.
His last time out, Carrasco lasted just 2.1 innings in a Sunday Night Baseball loss to the Boston Red Sox. He allowed five runs on a season-high 10 hits while walking two and striking out two.
Carrasco seemed to be finding his groove heading into the All-Star break, however, since then his struggles have returned. The 36-year-old has allowed nine runs across just seven innings of work in two starts.
He is yet to face the Nationals this season.
Who is starting for the Nationals?
Carrasco and the Mets will be opposed by veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin.
As had been the case in his career in DC, Corbin has struggled this season. He’s made a total of 21 starts and recorded a 5.01 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and just 85 strikeouts. He has been able to post a quality start in ten of those outings, however.
His last time out, Corbin was cruising through three innings against the Rockies, but then he fell apart. He ended up allowing six runs on ten hits while walking two over 6.1 innings of work in the loss.
Corbin’s given up six or more runs in three of his last six outings, giving him a 5.55 ERA over that span.
The lefty faced the Mets earlier this season at home and he was able to pick up the win with one of his stronger outings of the year. Corbin held New York to just two runs over six strong innings.
In 26 career starts against them, though, he’s struggled to the tune of a 4.41 ERA and 1.38 WHIP.
Upcoming schedule
The Mets and Nats close out their four-game weekend series with a Sunday afternoon game at 1:40 p.m. at Citi Field.
Justin Verlander (5-5, 3.24 ERA) looks to continue rolling for the Mets as he faces off with old friend Trevor Williams (5-5, 4.47 ERA).