Mets at Nationals
It is only seven games, but the Washington Nationals have not played like the team that won three of the past four National League East titles. The Nationals bring a three-game losing streak into Saturday’s home contest against the New York Mets, taking Friday off after being outscored 28-9 during their slide - including an 8-2 rout in Thursday's home opener.
“We know that they’re going to be a really good team all year,” Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman told reporters after the Mets dominated the home opener, acknowledging several teams in the division have improved from last season. “It’s not going to be easy.” The Mets made it look easy Thursday, sparked by the return of outfielder Michael Conforto. Playing in the majors for the first time since August due to left shoulder surgery, Conforto hit a two-run homer off Washington ace Stephen Strasburg, drew a walk and scored two runs to lift New York to its fifth victory in six games. “As a competitor, you want to go up against the best,” Conforto told the media afterward. “They don’t get much better than him.”
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (0-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 1.50)
Health has been the issue with Matz, who only made 13 starts last season before an elbow injury resulted in season-ending surgery. He pitched four innings in his season debut Sunday against St. Louis, giving up three runs on four hits (two homers) with three walks and four strikeouts. Matz struggled with his control, throwing 89 pitches in his outing and giving up both homers on two-strike pitches.
The 32-year-old Gonzalez began his season with the same consistent outing that has made him a fixture in the middle of Washington’s rotation. He needed 91 pitches to go six innings in a victory over Cincinnati on Sunday, striking out seven while walking one and allowing one run on five hits. Gonzalez, who is 80-54 with a 3.48 ERA in seven seasons in Washington, went 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA against the Mets last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington OF Adam Eaton, who missed most of last season with a left ankle injury, tweaked the ankle on a slide Thursday and told reporters afterward he may miss a couple of days.
2. New York OF Jay Bruce hit a grand slam to put away Thursday’s game, and has at least one hit in five of his first six games.
3. Zimmerman is struggling, going 3-for-22 with six strikeouts after an 0-for-4 performance Thursday.