8/28/21 Game Preview: Washington Nationals at New York Mets

The bottom continues to fall out for the New York Mets (61-67), who are now as close to last place in the National League East as they are to first. The Mets dropped their fourth straight game last night, falling to the rebuilding Washington Nationals (55-72) 2-1 as their struggling offense collected one run on four hits. The message inside the clubhouse still appears to be one of optimism that will need to be justified with wins if the Mets have any hope of resurrecting their now free-falling playoff hopes. First pitch for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field.

Right-hander Marcus Stroman (9-12, 2.85 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Mets today. Stroman picked up his ninth win of the year on Sunday, holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to two runs in six innings of work to pick up his second win of the month. The Nationals will counter with lefty Sean Nolin (0-2, 9.00 ERA). Nolin didn’t last long against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, giving up three runs in four innings of work to suffer his second loss of the season.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WCBS

New York Mets Lineup:

👇👇👇 #LGM pic.twitter.com/6CdXZUJnmz

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 28, 2021

Pre-Game Notes:

• Stroman is 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA in two starts against the Nationals this season.
• Nolin’s first start of the season came against the Mets in New York on August 12, when he gave up four runs in three innings to suffer the loss.
• Michael Conforto, Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis are all out of the Mets’ lineup tonight. Jonathan Villar will start at shortstop and bat leadoff, Jeff McNeil will move to left field and hit sixth while Kevin Pillar starts in right field and hits eighth.
• Juan Soto (2 for 4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) and Victor Robles (2 for 5, 2B, RBI) have done well against Stroman in a small sample size.
• Mets hitters went 8 for 16 against Nolin on August 12, headlined by two hits apiece from Smith and Davis while Brandon Nimmo stroked a three-run homer.
• The Mets will retire Jerry Koosman’s no. 36 in a pre-game ceremony tonight.