Jordan Zimmermann aims for distance in series finale with Mets (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

July 22, 2015, 6:25am

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The Nationals enter this afternoon's rubber match holding a slim two-game lead over the Mets in the National League East. Jordan Zimmermann should be well-rested for today's outing since his last start on Friday was interrupted after only four innings due to a power failure at Nationals Park. Zimmermann beat the Mets 2-1 back on April 8, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks over six innings.

Bryce Harper comes into today's game hitless in his last two, only the third time that has happened this year for the 22-year-old. However, Harper did walk twice and score twice in Monday's opener against the Mets. Last night, Harper was hit by a pitch in the ninth to extend his current on-base streak to 18 games, the second-best mark in his career (20 games from April 14-May 4, 2015). Harper has reached base safely in 79 of the 86 games he's played in this season, and his .463 OBP leads the majors.

The Mets send 22-year-old rookie Noah Syndergaard to the mound for his first career start against the Nationals. The 6-foot-6 right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA in his last four starts, with 30 strikeouts.

For the Mets:
RF Curtis Granderson
SS Ruben Tejada
3B Daniel Murphy
1B Lucas Duda
2B Wilmer Flores
LF Kirk Nieuwenhuis
C Kevin Plawecki
RHP Noah Syndergaard
CF Juan Lagares

For the Nationals:
CF Michael A. Taylor
2B Danny Espinosa
RF Bryce Harper
3B Yunel Escobar
1B Clint Robinson
C Wilson Ramos
SS Ian Desmond
LF Matt den Dekker
RHP Jordan Zimmermann