The Nationals don’t have to face the Marlins anymore this season, and if that isn’t cause for celebration, what is? Tonight they open a two-game series with the Mets, the last time they’ll face New York this year. A sweep would give the Nats the season series at 7-6; one loss would give it to the Mets (if you care about such things).
This would’ve been MacKenzie Gore’s turn in the rotation, but the Nationals are giving the left-hander time to get himself ready after returning today from bereavement leave. (Joe La Sorsa was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.) So it’s Patrick Corbin on the mound, well rested himself because his last start came Wednesday in Toronto.
The Nats face a very different Mets rotation from the last one they faced, with Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander now due to pitch against each other Wednesday night in a huge showdown between the Rangers and Astros. It’ll be Jose Quintana for New York tonight; the veteran lefty has not faced the Nationals yet during an injury-plagued season.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. NEW YORK METS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 92 degrees, wind 6 mph in from center field
NATIONALS
CF Jacob Young
1B Joey Meneses
C Keibert Ruiz
DH Riley Adams
3B Carter Kieboom
SS Ildemaro Vargas
LF Travis Blankenhorn
RF Alex Call
2B Jake Alu
LHP Patrick Corbin
METS
CF Brandon Nimmo
SS Francisco Lindor
RF Jeff McNeil
1B Pete Alonso
DH Mark Vientos
C Francisco Alvarez
3B Brett Baty
2B Ronny Mauricio
LF Tim Locastro
LHP Jose Quintana