Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Washington Nationals play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Tuesday night…
Preview
J.D. Martinez is scuffling
After a torrid stretch in June, which included five multi-hit games, Martinez has cooled off lately.
He has just two hits in his last 25 at-bats and has homered only once in his past 12 games.
Martinez helped carry the Mets’ offense last month, and — for the most part — the club has been able to withstand his recent struggles.
But as one of the most important bats in the middle of a Mets lineup that has two big trouble spots at the moment (more on that in a bit), it will help the team in a big way if Martinez rediscovers his form sooner rather than later.
“At some point, great hitters are going to go through a stretch where it’s not easy for them,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday. “And even when we probably [have] not seen the results, the at-bats are there. He still gives you quality at-bats, he still walks. His approach is unbelievable. He’s just not getting results right now, a little off. But other than that, health-wise, he’s good. No worries at all.”
The Mets’ bullpen should be at full strength*
The asterisk here denotes the fact that until Sean Reid-Foley returns (perhaps a bit after the All-Star break) and the Mets get some external reinforcements, the bullpen will still be an issue.
But with Edwin Diaz back, they’re likely as close as they’re going to get to full strength until then.
Diaz, Dedniel Nunez, and Reed Garrett got Monday’s game off after each pitching in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday, so they should be refreshed and good to go for the start of New York’s series against the Nats.
If the Mets need some more fresh arms in the coming weeks after calling up Eric Orze, fellow Triple-A relievers Wilkin Ramos and Max Kranick could be options.
The DJ Stewart situation
Simply put, Stewart has been a drag on the Mets’ lineup this season. And the injury to Starling Marte, which has resulted in regular playing time for Stewart, has exacerbated the issue.
Overall this season, Stewart is hitting .172/.325/.313 with five homers in 166 plate appearances over 63 games. And his woes at the plate have deepened as the season has progressed.
Since May 25, Stewart has slashed .096/.230/.154 with one home run and 19 strikeouts in 61 plate appearances over 23 games.
With Jeff McNeil also struggling but in the lineup most days (either at second base or in the outfield), it could make sense for the Mets to use Tyrone Taylor on a regular basis until Marte is back.
Taylor hasn’t done much offensively (his OPS entering play on Monday was .641) but he provides plus defense and speed. He’s also fared relatively well against right-handers this season, with four homers and an OPS a tick below .700.
How will Luis Severino bounce back?
Following his most dominant start of the season, when he fanned 10 Cubs over 6.0 scoreless innings on June 23 in Chicago, Severino was solid against the Astros on June 30 — allowing four runs but lasting 7.0 innings.
During his most recent start, Severino bent.
In 6.0 innings against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, he allowed seven runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out three as his ERA rose to 3.83.
Severino gets the start in the second game of the series on Wednesday.
James Wood has hit the ground running
Wood, who made his big league debut last week against the Mets, has been tremendous to start his career.
Entering play on Monday, Wood was hitting .320/.452/.480 with one homer and one double, and had nearly as many walks (six) as strikeouts (seven).
Along with Wood, the Mets are going to have to be especially wary of the electric CJ Abrams and outfielder Jesse Winker, who is having a terrific season at the plate.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Pete Alonso.
Alonso has mashed lefties this season with an .849 OPS against them.
In this series, he’ll get to face two left-handed starters — the talented MacKenzie Gore and the veteran Patrick Corbin. Corbin has a 5.49 ERA and 1.53 WHIP, and has surrendered 14 home runs in 18 starts.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
David Peterson.
Peterson has the ability to miss bats at an elite rate (he struck out 10.4 per nine in 2023 after whiffing 10.7 per nine in 2022), but hasn’t found his groove in that regard yet this season.
That will change against the Nats.
Which Nat will be a thorn in Mets’ side?
Luis Garcia Jr.
Garcia clubbed two homers against the Mets last week and added another against the Cardinals. His hot stretch will continue.
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