With playoff implications mounting, Washington aims to upset the Mets and make a statement in this intense divisional clash.
Sitting at 30-35 and third in the National League East, Washington has been right around where fans expected them to be. They’ve played solid baseball over their last ten games, going 5-5 heading into this divisional series matchup. This will be the second time these two teams meet this season, having split a four-game series in the last week of April.
Since that series, the New York Mets have taken full control of the NL East, holding a 4.5-game lead over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies. With a strong rotation and a potent lineup, New York is one of the favorites to make a run at the NL pennant, currently holding a 42-24 record.
While the postseason is still months away, this could shape up to be a fun and exciting series for both sides. New York looks to pounce on the weaker Washington Nationals, while Washington looks to knock off the top dog in the National League.
Let’s take a deeper look at the New York Mets.
Big Names Slow, Offense Rolling
The New York Mets have one of the highest payrolls in all of baseball, and much of that money is invested in a star-studded lineup. In 2025, Pete Alonso (.301/.396/.594) and Francisco Lindor (.283/.354/.488) have carried the offense, each having stellar seasons. However, others throughout the lineup have struggled, including Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo, and $765 million right-fielder Juan Soto.
It’s hard to say the offense is struggling, they rank in the top ten in multiple categories, but the Mets would certainly like to see better production from their highest-paid players.
TEAM STATS:
- .249 Batting Average (13th)
- 305 Runs (7th)
- 83 Home Runs (6th)
- .332 On-Base % (3rd)
- .424 Slugging % (5th)
Mets Arms Rising to the Challenge
Heading into the season, there were plenty of questions about a thin pitching staff. With Kodai Senga (1.59 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) missing all of 2024, doubts surrounding his ability to return as a front-line starter were at an all-time high.
This rotation has silenced those concerns, posting the best team ERA in baseball. Clay Holmes (2.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) has been incredible in his first MLB season as a starter. Others like David Peterson (2.80 ERA), Tylor Megill (3.76 ERA), and Griffin Canning (2.90 ERA) have exceeded expectations, anchoring the back end of the rotation.
TEAM STATS:
- 2.85 ERA (1st)
- 46 Home Runs Allowed (2nd)
- 1.24 WHIP (14th)
- .226 Batting Average Against (5th)
GAME ONE – Tuesday, 7:10 EDT
WAS: LHP MacKenzie Gore (3-5) – 13 G, 2.87 ERA, 108 SO, 1.14 WHIP, 137 ERA+
NYM: RHP Griffin Canning (6-2) – 12 G, 2.90 ERA, 57 SO, 1.32 WHIP, 130 ERA+
It’s the same story every week with MacKenzie Gore: he carries the Washington rotation. In the midst of a breakout season, he’s becoming one of the best left-handed pitchers in all of baseball. His last start, arguably his most impressive, came against one of the league’s best offenses, the Chicago Cubs. In the only game Washington won in the series, Gore threw seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out seven.
After spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Canning is having a breakout season at 29 years old. With career highs across the board, he’s been a key piece in a rotation that looked shaky at the start of the year. In his last start, Canning struck out seven over six shutout innings against the powerhouse Dodgers, allowing just three hits in a statement win for New York.
GAME TWO – Wednesday, 7:10 EDT
WAS: RHP Jake Irvin (5-2) – 13 G, 4.02 ERA, 50 SO, 1.23 WHIP, 98 ERA+
NYM: LHP David Peterson (4-2) – 12 G, 2.80 ERA, 65 SO, 1.26 WHIP, 135 ERA+
Irvin has had a rollercoaster season, but overall has been a reliable arm behind Gore. He’s flashed the potential to be a long-term piece in Washington’s rotation, though inconsistency remains an issue. In his last start, Irvin lasted five innings, giving up eight hits and three earned runs in a 7-1 loss to the Cubs.
Coming off a career year in 2024, Peterson has somehow outperformed it in 2025. Already on pace for a personal best in WAR and posting career highs across the board, Peterson has been one of the most underrated left-handers in baseball. In his last outing, he threw seven innings against the Dodgers, allowing seven hits and three earned runs in a tough 6-5 loss.
GAME THREE – Thursday, 1:10 EDT
WAS: RHP Michael Soroka (3-3) – 7 G, 4.86 ERA, 35 SO, 1.11 WHIP, 81 ERA+
NYM: RHP Kodai Senga (6-3) – 12 G, 1.59 ERA, 65 SO, 1.18 WHIP, 238 ERA+
After a strong start to his career in Atlanta, Soroka has struggled with injuries. After missing the first month of the 2025 season, he’s still trying to find his rhythm in Washington’s rotation. His most recent outing was his best yet, a six-inning, seven-strikeout shutout performance against the Texas Rangers that led to a 2-0 victory.
After missing all of 2024, there were doubts whether Kodai Senga could return to his All-Star form from 2023. He has exceeded all expectations, emerging as one of the league’s top pitchers. In his last start, he threw six innings of one-run ball against the Colorado Rockies, giving up five hits and leading New York to yet another win.
Nationals Face Uphill Battle in Mets Showdown
Washington faces another tough test in a talented lineup and a dominant pitching staff. But the Nationals have shown they can compete with the best. Still in the fight for a playoff spot, this series could be a turning point in their season. Nationals fans are hoping for the best—and are eager to see some winning baseball.