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NEW YORK – After a 2-4 homestand, the Nationals are back on the road for a quick trip to Citi Field to play three games against the Mets. The Nats are actually a respectable 15-17 on the road this season. But they’re only 3-7 in away games against their National League East rivals.
The Nats have the right man on the mound for tonight’s opener as they try to get back to their winning ways. MacKenzie Gore has been nothing short of excellent to start this season, with a 2.87 ERA, 1.142 WHIP and major league-best 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The lefty has only been charged with a total of three runs over his last four starts, including back-to-back shutout performances over 13 innings against the Mariners and Cubs.
But perhaps more important for the Nationals is what they do against the guy who takes the mound for the other team. Griffin Canning has been impressive to start his first year in New York. The veteran right-hander is 6-2 with a 2.90 ERA and 1.322 WHIP over his 12 starts. And he’s coming off an impressive six shutout innings with seven strikeouts against the Dodgers his last time out.
The Nats did make a roster move this morning to help the offense: They officially recalled Andrés Chaparro from Triple-A to take the roster spot of Nasim Nuñez, who was optioned to Rochester after Sunday’s game.
But wait, the Nationals weren’t done. They also claimed right-hander Ryan Loutos off waivers from the Dodgers this afternoon and optioned him to Rochester, filling the 40-man roster.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at NEW YORK METS
Where: Citi Field
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7 (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 75 degrees, wind 9 mph out to right field
NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
LF James Wood
1B Nathaniel Lowe
DH Josh Bell
2B Luis García
RF Alex Call
CF Robert Hassell III
C Keibert Ruiz
3B José Tena
LHP MacKenzie Gore
METS
SS Francisco Lindor
DH Starling Marte
RF Juan Soto
1B Pete Alonso
LF Brandon Nimmo
C Luis Torrens
CF Tyrone Taylor
2B Jeff McNeil
3B Ronny Mauricio
RHP Griffin Canning
