OK, maybe it’s just me, but how in the world do you shut down your BEST pitcher when your team is steamrolling into the postseason with the best record in baseball?? I just don’t get it. Yet that’s what the Washington Nationals have done with their ace Stephen Strasburg. Yes, I know this subject has been beaten to death more than Brett Favre coming out of retirement, but seriously…the kid has shown NO signs of post-op issues and he has had a great season. There are no guarantees for any team to be able to make a run at the World Series multiple years consecutively (except the Texas Rangers who seem to be an anomaly), so the Nats need to take the chance while they have it. Silly decision.
The Mets welcome in our old favorites that we can never seem to get a handle on…the Washington Nationals, for the last series of the season between these two teams. The Nats make their last trip to CitiField this year, where they open up a 3-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for tonight at 7:10 pm EST, and the game can be seen on SNY, heard on WFAN660AM and followed on Twitter @MetsWFAN. @dailystache and @Meriwyn.
Collin McHugh will make his 3rd start for the Mets tonight. His first start was a brilliant 7-inning scoreless outing against the Rockies. His second start? Not so much…he gave up 4 runs to the pesky St. Louis Cardinals in a series that many Mets fans would like to forget.
The Mets will face R.A. Dickey’s Cy Young nemesis, Gio Gonzalez tonight, who will also be looking for his 19th win during this series. So, without further ado, here is my shameless begging to the team:
PLEASE, for the love of all that is baseball…METS HEAR ME NOW! Please, do NOT let this guy walk all over you tonight! If you love R.A. the way the rest of us do, WIN TONIGHT AND TOMORROW FOR HIM! I don’t care if you all have to make deals with aliens or shank umpires in the parking lot…WIN THESE 2 GAMES.
Think that will work?
Mets Lineup
Nationals Lineup
Pitching Matchup
NYM: Collin McHugh (0-1, 3.27 ERA). McHugh’s second career start didn’t go nearly as well as his first. After throwing 7 innings of shutout ball against the Rockies on Aug. 23rd, he gave up 4 runs in 7 innings against St. Louis on Sept. 3rd.
WSH: Gio Gonzalez (18-7, 2.98 ERA). In his last start, Gonzalez allowed only 3 hits and struck out 9. In the first 5 innings, he allowed just one baserunner.
Stache Keys to the Game(s)
- The Mets NEED this game today, if only to keep Gio Gonzalez even with or behind Dickey in wins. Or at least hold him to a no-decision.
- WIN tonight
- WIN tonight
September 10th in Mets History
No Mets birthdays today 🙁
LET’S GO METS!!
