Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 23, 2022 22:03:32 GMT -5
New York Mets (70-66) @ Washington Nationals (73-63)
NYM: Luis Morillo (9-6, 4.14)
WAS: Joe Ross (5-10, 6.82)
Mets 5 Key Stats:
2: Mets with more than 14 home runs. The Mets have been power starved for years, and this year has been no exception. Luis Morales has developed into a star with 35 home runs, and Cannibal Espassandim has been an impact bat his first full season with 21 long balls. The Mets haven’t generated power from any other place though. Anderson Franco only has 13 homers and a .178 average. KeBryan Hayes has only three home runs and a .260 OBP. That’s 34 fewer home runs from those two players than they hit last year.
20-25: New York’s record in one-run games. The Mets were 34-22 in one-run games last year, a huge factor in their surprising division title. They’ve struggled in those circumstances this season. They won’t win the division this year, but if they can turn around their record in close games, they still have a chance at the Wild Card.
7: The number of players on the Mets with a slugging percentage .310 or below. The Mets don’t have a lot of players who hit for a ton of power, and they also have a lot of hitters who hit for virtually no power. Some of the names are expected: Arturo Ramirez, Mike Wheeler, and Juan Rosa are all light-hitting Center Fielders on the roster for their defense. However, Shohei Otani, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Oscar Hernandez were all strong hitters last year who have fallen apart this year.
-0.1: Andres Perez’ WAR. Perez had a strong 2026, setting the record for most Saves in a season with 50 with 1.9 WAR. He has 50 Saves this year, but hasn’t been as effective. His strikeout numbers have cratered and he’s allowed more home runs in fewer innings. His poor performance is a key reason why the team has been under .500 in one-run games.
34: Home Runs allowed by Luis Morillo, most in the NL. Morillo has allowed a low BABIP and he won’t walk players, but maybe he should. He’s been extremely homer prone, preventing him from being effective. A low walk rate has helped him maintain a strong OBP against, but it doesn’t matter if hitters rarely get on base if when they do, they’re hitting the ball over the fence. He’s pitched only three games this year without allowing a homer in 23 starts—two of the three were against the Nationals.
Nationals 5 Key Stats:
11: Home Runs by Mike Trout since the All-Star Break: Trout had such an awful start to the season, but has been good since late July. He had a .645 OPS in the first half and a .996 OPS in the second half. He has 10 doubles in the second half as well, and a walk rate above 20%, and four of his five steals. If Trout continues this surge, it will help Washington’s playoff goals.
6.81: Joe Ross’ ERA. Ross would have the league’s second worst ERA behind Chandler Newman if he qualified. He’s allowed 31 home runs, and has a .334 BABIP, meaning players are hitting home runs if they hit the ball out of play, and base hits if they hit the ball in play. Lefties have a 1.004 OPS against him this season. Righties have crushed him too. Ross’ inexplicable decline is a key reason why the Nationals are battling for a wild card spot and not the NL East.
57: Games for Alex Bregman this season. Bregman was an All-Star last year, but has barely suited up for the Nationals this year. His absence, for a team lacking depth, has really hurt Washington’s lineup.
35-21: Washington’s record since July 1. Washington has been outstanding since the calendar turned to July, with the fourth best record in the league and fifth best record in the PBA since July 1. The team was coming off back-to-back, one-run, extra inning losses in Miami, then decided enough was enough and beat them 7-3 to start July. They lost a series to Detroit next, then won five of six against the Marlins and Royals to close the first half. They’ve really played well at home, winning 11 of their last 14 home games, including taking five of six against the Braves and Brewers.
.283: Shane Benes’ OPS against the Mets this year. New York has completely handled Benes, giving him a .091/.138/.145 mark in 15 Games. He’s scored just one run against them as well. The Nationals need him to get his act together if they want to knock off the Mets today.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dave Gutierrez, Ke’Bryan Hayes hasn’t hit all season. Will he be in the lineup today?
Last season, Jose Peraza had a big September that helped lead the Mets to the postseason. Will he get playing time today?
Joe Ross has been rough all season. Do you feel that you can roll out a defensive lineup and still produce?
For Jake Pennel, who will play at First Base today?
Joe Ross has been fantastic over his career, but has been terrible this season. Do you feel you can keep rolling him out as a Starting Pitcher?
Bob Beasley has a minor injury. Will he play today or rest with his bruised thigh?
TRIVIA: Who led the Mets in Home Runs in 2025?
NYM: Luis Morillo (9-6, 4.14)
WAS: Joe Ross (5-10, 6.82)
Mets 5 Key Stats:
2: Mets with more than 14 home runs. The Mets have been power starved for years, and this year has been no exception. Luis Morales has developed into a star with 35 home runs, and Cannibal Espassandim has been an impact bat his first full season with 21 long balls. The Mets haven’t generated power from any other place though. Anderson Franco only has 13 homers and a .178 average. KeBryan Hayes has only three home runs and a .260 OBP. That’s 34 fewer home runs from those two players than they hit last year.
20-25: New York’s record in one-run games. The Mets were 34-22 in one-run games last year, a huge factor in their surprising division title. They’ve struggled in those circumstances this season. They won’t win the division this year, but if they can turn around their record in close games, they still have a chance at the Wild Card.
7: The number of players on the Mets with a slugging percentage .310 or below. The Mets don’t have a lot of players who hit for a ton of power, and they also have a lot of hitters who hit for virtually no power. Some of the names are expected: Arturo Ramirez, Mike Wheeler, and Juan Rosa are all light-hitting Center Fielders on the roster for their defense. However, Shohei Otani, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Oscar Hernandez were all strong hitters last year who have fallen apart this year.
-0.1: Andres Perez’ WAR. Perez had a strong 2026, setting the record for most Saves in a season with 50 with 1.9 WAR. He has 50 Saves this year, but hasn’t been as effective. His strikeout numbers have cratered and he’s allowed more home runs in fewer innings. His poor performance is a key reason why the team has been under .500 in one-run games.
34: Home Runs allowed by Luis Morillo, most in the NL. Morillo has allowed a low BABIP and he won’t walk players, but maybe he should. He’s been extremely homer prone, preventing him from being effective. A low walk rate has helped him maintain a strong OBP against, but it doesn’t matter if hitters rarely get on base if when they do, they’re hitting the ball over the fence. He’s pitched only three games this year without allowing a homer in 23 starts—two of the three were against the Nationals.
Nationals 5 Key Stats:
11: Home Runs by Mike Trout since the All-Star Break: Trout had such an awful start to the season, but has been good since late July. He had a .645 OPS in the first half and a .996 OPS in the second half. He has 10 doubles in the second half as well, and a walk rate above 20%, and four of his five steals. If Trout continues this surge, it will help Washington’s playoff goals.
6.81: Joe Ross’ ERA. Ross would have the league’s second worst ERA behind Chandler Newman if he qualified. He’s allowed 31 home runs, and has a .334 BABIP, meaning players are hitting home runs if they hit the ball out of play, and base hits if they hit the ball in play. Lefties have a 1.004 OPS against him this season. Righties have crushed him too. Ross’ inexplicable decline is a key reason why the Nationals are battling for a wild card spot and not the NL East.
57: Games for Alex Bregman this season. Bregman was an All-Star last year, but has barely suited up for the Nationals this year. His absence, for a team lacking depth, has really hurt Washington’s lineup.
35-21: Washington’s record since July 1. Washington has been outstanding since the calendar turned to July, with the fourth best record in the league and fifth best record in the PBA since July 1. The team was coming off back-to-back, one-run, extra inning losses in Miami, then decided enough was enough and beat them 7-3 to start July. They lost a series to Detroit next, then won five of six against the Marlins and Royals to close the first half. They’ve really played well at home, winning 11 of their last 14 home games, including taking five of six against the Braves and Brewers.
.283: Shane Benes’ OPS against the Mets this year. New York has completely handled Benes, giving him a .091/.138/.145 mark in 15 Games. He’s scored just one run against them as well. The Nationals need him to get his act together if they want to knock off the Mets today.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dave Gutierrez, Ke’Bryan Hayes hasn’t hit all season. Will he be in the lineup today?
Last season, Jose Peraza had a big September that helped lead the Mets to the postseason. Will he get playing time today?
Joe Ross has been rough all season. Do you feel that you can roll out a defensive lineup and still produce?
For Jake Pennel, who will play at First Base today?
Joe Ross has been fantastic over his career, but has been terrible this season. Do you feel you can keep rolling him out as a Starting Pitcher?
Bob Beasley has a minor injury. Will he play today or rest with his bruised thigh?
TRIVIA: Who led the Mets in Home Runs in 2025?
