9/22/17 Game Preview: Washington Nationals at New York Mets

The New York Mets (65-87) had a bad road trip, dropping seven of nine games, including two series sweeps. The poor performance gives the Mets a strong chance to lose 90 games for the first time since 2009 and the worst record in the Terry Collins era. Things don’t get any easier for the Mets tonight as they open their final home stand of the season with a three game series against the National League East champions, the Washington Nationals (92-59). First pitch for the opener of this weekend series is scheduled for 7:10 pm at Citi Field.

The Mets will send right hander Robert Gsellman (7-7, 5.22 ERA) to the mound tonight. Gsellman won his last start last Sunday, giving up an unearned run in seven shutout innings to defeat the Atlanta Braves. The Mets originally had Gsellman scheduled to start on Sunday but needed to alter their rotation when Jacob deGrom, who was originally scheduled to start tonight, developed a stomach bug on Wednesday. deGrom is now scheduled to start in the series finale on Sunday. The Nationals will counter with veteran right hander Edwin Jackson (5-6, 4.96 ERA). Jackson was hammered in his last start, giving up seven runs in 2.1 innings to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

1. RF Nori Aoki
2. 2B Jose Reyes
3. 3B Asdrubal Cabrera
4. LF Brandon Nimmo
5. C Travis d’Arnaud
6. 1B Dominic Smith
7. SS Amed Rosario
8. CF Juan Lagares
9. SP Robert Gsellman

Pre-Game Notes:

• The Mets are 5-11 against the Nationals so far this season and lost two out of three when the two teams last met in Washington late last month.
• The Nationals haven’t been to Citi Field since they won three out of four there in mid-June.
• Gsellman is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts against the Nationals this season.
• Jackson is 4-3 with a 3.77 ERA in 12 appearances (seven starts) against the Mets, but he hasn’t faced them since the 2015 season, when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves.
• After sitting out the last three games with a stomach issue, Amed Rosario is back in the Mets’ lineup. Rosario will bat seventh and play shortstop.
• Juan Lagares is back in the lineup after sitting out Wednesday’s game with a thumb issue. Lagares will play center field and bat eighth.
• Travis d’Arnaud will catch today as he continues to alternate playing time with Kevin Plawecki. d’Arnaud will bat fifth.