Mets vs. Nationals: 5 things to watch and series predictions | Sept. 16-18

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Nationals play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Monday night…

Preview

How is Francisco Lindor?

This is such a monumental question that it feels inadequate to dedicate just one portion of this piece to it, but here it goes…

Lindor is so instrumental to the success of the Mets that even his short-term absence could seriously harm New York’s playoff hopes. His long-term absence could be ruinous.

After Lindor exited Friday’s blowout win early with a back issue, he did not play on Saturday. Lindor was back in the lineup on Sunday, but lasted just one inning before being pulled. The Mets lost on both Saturday and Sunday.

Speaking after Sunday’s game, Lindor — who was headed for an MRI — said his back has been bothering him for a few weeks.

If the MRI doesn’t reveal anything serious, it stands to reason that Lindor will try to play through this ailment if his body allows.

And with just 13 games left in the regular season, the Mets’ fate could be tied to what that MRI shows.

What about Starling Marte?

The Mets weren’t just without Lindor for the final eight innings on Sunday. They were missing Marte.

That’s because Marte was drilled in the forearm by a pitch on Saturday.

X-rays on Marte’s forearm were negative, but he was given the day off on Sunday.

That means this will likely be a pain tolerance thing for Marte, whose presence in the lineup the Mets can really use.

Before getting hit on Saturday, Marte was 2-for-2 with three RBI and a walk.

Can the offense kick it back into gear?

It’s too simplistic to blame the offense’s slumber during the last two games against the Phillies on who the Mets didn’t have, but it certainly didn’t help that Lindor and Marte were out on Sunday — and that Francisco Alvarez, who has been heating up, had the day off.

But that was the hand the Mets were dealt, and they did close to nothing with it, as Tyrone Taylor‘s solo homer was their only offense during Sunday’s loss.

With or without Lindor, the Mets are going to need a hell of a lot more from their other offensive stars.

Pete Alonso showed some signs in Philly, reaching base five times — including a pair of two-hit games. And Brandon Nimmo hit safely in all three games.

But J.D. Martinez is mired in a slump, with no hits in his last 14 at-bats.

Mark Vientos is in an even longer rut, with just three hits in his last 30 at-bats — though all three of those knocks came against the Phils this past weekend.

The young Nats are formidable

The Nationals are not a good team, but they’re dangerous.

Yes, their sweep over the weekend came against the woeful Marlins. But they took a series from the Yankees earlier this month, and have a handful of young stars who are starting to percolate.

That includes James Wood, who mashed two homers on Sunday.

And the Nats recently called up outfield prospect Dylan Crews, who has hit safely in four of his last five games.

Washington’s rotation also features some legitimate arms, with Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker, and DJ Herz lined up to face the Mets.

Herz stymied the Mets the last time he pitched against them, limiting New York to one run on five hits in five innings while striking out 10.

Eyes on the Braves

With 13 games left in the regular season, the Mets and Braves are tied for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League.

As the Mets open their three-game set against the Nats, the Braves will be wrapping up a four-game series with the Dodgers in Atlanta as Max Fried toes the rubber against Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Atlanta beat up on the banged up Dodgers’ depth pitchers on Friday and Saturday, but were kept in check by Walker Buehler during Sunday’s loss.

Following the conclusion of their series against Los Angeles, the Braves head to Cincinnati for a three-game series with the pesky Reds.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo has been putting better swings on the ball lately. He had hits in all three games in Philadelphia and has reached base safely in five straight games.