Mets at Nationals
The New York Mets are dominating on the mound early on and will try to spoil the Washington Nationals' home opener when the teams begin a three-game series in the nation's capital on Thursday. The Mets have allowed a total of 13 runs in their 4-1 start after Noah Syndergaard and four relievers combined to allow five hits in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at home.
The bullpen has given up three runs in 20 1/3 frames as New York has raced to its best five-game start since 2012. "Our bullpen has done a fantastic job so far this season and we have faith in them," Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters. "Everybody's doing the right things." The home opener features a fabulous pitching matchup between New York's Jacob deGrom and Washington's Stephen Strasburg, both of whom won their season debuts with solid outings. The Mets' lineup could be bolstered by the return of outfielder Michael Conforto (shoulder), who is expected to be activated from the disabled list.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (1-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (1-0, 1.42)
DeGrom allowed a run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings to lead the Mets to a 6-2 win over St. Louis on Saturday, striking out seven against one walk. The 29-year-old boasts a 2.77 ERA in 12 career starts against the Nationals and is 4-1 in six starts at Washington. Bryce Harper is 9-for-24 with a homer against deGrom but Anthony Rendon and Michael Taylor are a combined 1-for-38 with 17 strikeouts.
Strasburg also recorded seven strikeouts and allowed three runs (one earned) while lasting into the seventh inning in his win over Cincinnati on Saturday, improving to 31-8 over his last three seasons. His personal winning streak is up to six dating to last season and he won each of his last four outings at home in 2017. The former No. 1 pick is 8-4 with a 2.64 ERA lifetime versus New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets LF Yoenis Cespedes homered Wednesday and has six RBIs through his first five games.
2. Harper has drawn eight walks over his past four games.
3. Washington took 13 of 19 meetings last season.