Jon Niese takes the mound at Nationals Park after coming off of a stellar performance against the Braves on Sunday.
The Mets look to get back on the winning track after losing three of their last four and seven of their last nine games. New York turns to Jon Niese who has been one of the team’s few bright spots since the all star break after coming off of a solid pitching performance against the Braves his last time out. The Nationals counter with journeyman right-hander Edwin Jackson.
The game is slated for 7:10 p.m. from our Nation’s Capital as the Mets continue their three-game set with the Major League’s best team (based on record) with action of the game available on PIX 11 in the New York Metropolitan area and available on Sports Radio 66 WFAN on your AM radio dial.
Mets Lineup
There’s only one player on the Mets current roster that has more than two hits against Edwin Jackson, and that’s Jason Bay who is 3-for-11 in his career against Washington’s right-hander. Aside from him, David Wright is 2-for-8 as is Ronny Cedeno. Meanwhile Andres Torres and Kelly Shoppach each have a pair of base knocks as well. Finally, just for fun Mike Pelfrey has two doubles in five at bats against Jackson, I know he can’t pitch yet but can he hit?
Nationals Lineup
If you’re Jon Niese a few players in the Nats lineup scare you, starting with Danny Espinosa who is 3-for-7 with a double. Also Ryan Zimmerman is 4-for-11, and despite being 3-for-12 off of Niese, first baseman Adam LaRoche sports a pair of dingers of his three hits. Jayson Werth (4-for-14) and Michael Morse(3-for-12) both sport solid averages while Bryce Harper has one hit in three at bats as well against the Mets lefty.
Pitching Matchup
Jon Niese (9-6; 3.67 ERA) Niese is 2-2 in his six starts since the all star break which includes a seven inning, one run, eight strikeout performance against the Nationals on July 17, despite taking a no decision in that start, Niese does come off of a win against the Braves on Sunday Night Baseball in which he completed eight innings for only the second time this season.
Edwin Jackson (7-7; 3.74 ERA) Sporting a similar record and ERA to his counterpart, Jackson comes in off of three starts in which he failed to complete six innings against the likes of the Phillies, Astros, and Diamondbacks. Without question the weakest cog in the Nationals rotation, the Mets need to jump on Jackson early and often to secure themselves a win tonight.
August 18 in Mets History
The Mets are 5-0 in their last five games on this date, and 10-2 dating back to the 1997 season.
2010: The Mets defeated the Astros in 14 innings at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Jose Reyes went 4-for-6 in the game and scored the go-ahead run in the final inning on a sacrifice fly by Ike Davis.
2003: The Mets blanked the Rockies at Shea Stadium by the score of 8-0 as Steve Trachsel threw a complete game one-hitter against the Rox. Also in the game Mike Piazza and Jason Phillips had multi-hit games and hit home runs in the white wash.
2000: The Mets defeated the Dodgers 5-3 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles as Edgardo Alfonzo did what he did so often and had a four-hit game. Mike Piazza also had a pair of hits and drove in three runs as Rick WHite picked up the win in relief of Al Leiter. Just for fun, current Mets first base coach Tom Goodwin pinch ran in the eighth inning for Los Angeles.
