Game Chat: Nationals vs Mets, 7:10 PM

Friday, September 19, 2025 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Andrew Alvarez (1-0, 1.15) vs. RHP Brandon Sproat (0-1, 2.25)
SNY

The Mets still control their own destiny!

The Mets’ bats are slugging the ball again as they come off a series win against the San Diego Padres thanks to a home run barrage. At the start of 2025, the Mets feasted on poorly-performing teams, and we are going to need that version of the team again as they take on a Washington Nationals team that is hungry to play spoiler. Tonight will be a battle of the rookies as Brandon Sproat takes on Andrew Alvarez.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – RF
3. Pete Alonso – 1B
4. Mark Vientos – 3B
5. Brandon Nimmo – LF
6. Starling Marte – DH
7. Francisco Alvarez – C
8. Brett Baty – 2B
9. Jose Siri – CF

Brandon Sproat has allowed three runs on nine hits over his first 12 big-league innings (two starts) while striking out 10 batters. He’s coming off of a tremendous start against the Texas Rangers where he shut them out over six innings, allowing six hits and walking no one. Free passes caused him headaches in his first major league start (four over six innings), so it was nice to see him move beyond that. He’s going to face the Nationals a lot throughout his career, so tonight is a great time to make a first impression.

Opposing Lineup

1. James Wood – LF
2. CJ Abrams – SS
3. Josh Bell – 1B
4. Daylen Lile – DH
5. Luis García Jr. – 2B
6. Dylan Crews – RF
7. Paul DeJong – 3B
8. Jorge Alfaro – C
9. Jacob Young – CF

Andrew Alvarez has a 1.15 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 0.830 WHIP and a 368 ERA+ over three starts and 15 2/3 innings. He’s coming off of the best start in his major league career, during which he shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates over six innings while scattering three hits. In the start before that, the Cubs scored two runs over 4 2/3 innings on three hits and three walks. Over Alvarez’s first three outings, he has used a low-90’s fastball about a third of the time in addition to mixing in a low-80’s curve and low-80’s slider. He has also sprinkled in a mid-80’s changeup and low-90’s sinker.

Game Notes

• Jack Wenninger turned in a fantastic start for Double-A Binghamton as they advanced to the Eastern League Championship Series on Thursday night. For more, check out our minor league recap!
• Tyrone Taylor, who has been on the injured list with a hamstring strain since September 2, is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse tonight. Check out our story for more information!
• Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Kodai Senga will face hitters in live batting practice or a simulated game next week. He allowed four earned runs over 3 2/3 innings for Syracuse on Thursday night.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Pete Alonso. Alonso has been on fire this week. Thursday was his fourth consecutive game with a home run. In his last five games, he has gone 8-for-19 with four homers and seven RBIs (.421/.455/1.053). In his last 15 contests, he has slashed .305/.338/.661. Alonso carried the team at the start of 2025 and is looking to push the Mets over the finish line at the end.
2. Is Juan Soto walking here? Soto is prolific at working walks. He’s led the league in walks in four of the last five season and is currently pacing it once again with 119, only six away from John Olerud’s 1999 Mets single-season record of 125. In his last nine games, though, he has drawn a free pass just once. He has a season-long on-base percentage of around .394, and his OBP over the last nine games is .300. Obviously this is just one part of his game, as he has five extra-base hits over the last nine games with a .579 slugging percentage, or 51 points higher than his season average.
3. Wild Card race. The Mets enter play today with a two-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds for the last Wild Card Spot, and a three-game lead over the San Francisco Giants. Nick Lodolo and the Reds are hosting Shota Imanaga and the Cubs tonight, the Diamondbacks are hosting Taijuan Walker and the Phillies, and the Giants and Robbie Ray face Clayton Kershaw in the last regular season home start of his career at Dodger Stadium.

Let’s go Mets!

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