Seth Lugo (2-2, 2.60 ERA) takes the hill for the New York Mets (70-66) as they square off against Reynaldo Lopez (2-2, 5.33 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (79-56) in the last of a three-game series at Citi Field. The Mets won the last game 3-1, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 8:08 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 4 and can be seen on ESPN.
Lugo pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out four and walking one in a 7-4 win over the Marlins. Yoenis Cespedes (.294, 57 Rs, 27 HRs, 68 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. Lopez went 2.2 innings, surrendering six runs (two unearned), striking out two and walking three in an 8-1 defeat to the Orioles in his most recent start. Daniel Murphy (.340, 82 Rs, 25 HRs, 98 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Washington is 34-24, while New York is 25-27.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Nationals are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Mets have a 27-2 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Nationals are 60-15. The Mets have a 48-11 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 27th, New York is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 531 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 645.
Ranking 22nd, New York is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.725). Washington ranks in the top 10 with an OPS of .758.
The Nationals are 45-44 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Mets are 32-47 when they allow at least one homer.
