For the Washington Nationals, this situation has become familiar since they won the World Series in 2019, as they are now well out of the playoffs and looking towards the off-season. However, this series is important, as the outcome can determine the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Whether or not Washington wins or loses means nothing for their 2025 season, but it means everything for the New York Mets’ chances for another postseason run.
The New York Mets started off the 2025 season
red hot and took a large division lead early on in the season. Since the hot start, the wheels have started to fall off, and now sit at just five games about .500. They hold a small lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds, and depending on how this series goes, this race could get very interesting down the stretch.
For one squad, it is a meaningless series as they inch closer to improving the roster, and for the other, this series could determine their season. Let’s dive into the New York Mets’ 2025 season.
Soto, Lindor, and Alonso Power a Steady Mets Lineup
New York’s offense has been top-heavy this season, with Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, and Fransico Lindor carrying most of the workload. However, players like Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, and Fransico Alvarez have played well but have missed considerable time due to injury. Juan Soto is currently posting one of the best offensive seasons in Mets history, becoming just one of three players ever to have 40 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 100 walks in the same season. As a team, they are batting .250 (14th), scored 716 runs (11th), hit 211 home runs (5th), on-base percentage of .327 (6th), and a slugging percentage of .429 (7th).
Injuries Cloud, but Young Arms Offer Hope
The starting rotation, as well as the bullpen, has arguably been the most inconsistent group in baseball. With stellar starts to the season from first-time All-Star David Peterson, Kodei Senga, and Clay Holmes, injuries and poor second-half production have forced the Mets to dig into their farm system. However, Brandon Sprout, Jonah Tong, and Nolan McLean have provided much-needed innings. McLean has pitched out of his mind since making his debut, becoming one of the most valuable pitchers on the team. Trade deadline acquisition Ryan Helsley has been a disaster since joining the team, posting a 9.60 ERA since the trade deadline. As a team, New York has a 4.03 ERA (16th), allowed 140 home runs (2nd), 1.34 WHIP (24th), and teams are batting .246 against them (18th).
GAME ONE – Friday, 7:10 EDT
WAS: LHP Andrew Alvarez (1-0) – 3 G, 1.15 ERA, 11 SO, 0.83 WHIP, 368 ERA+
NYM: RHP Brandon Sproat (0-1) – 2 G, 2.25 ERA, 10 SO, 1.08 WHIP, 186 ERA+
In a limited number of games, Alvarez has been the spark that this pitching staff needed. Alvarez is competing for a long-term spot in the rotation and looking to start on the big league roster in 2026. He has been nothing short of spectacular through his first three games. His last start was his best start yet, throwing six innings and allowing zero runs on three hits while striking out five batters.
Sproat, along with many other rookies, has recently been thrown into the spotlight as the Mets are dealing with injuries. Sproat has impressed in his first two starts and should help the Mets get to the finish line as the season comes to an end. His first start was a quality start, giving up three runs. However, he improved on preventing runs in his latest start, throwing six innings and allowing zero runs on six hits against the tough Texas Rangers.
GAME TWO – Saturday, 4:10 EDT
WAS: RHP Cade Cavalli (3-1) – 8 G, 4.76 ERA, 31 SO, 1.46 WHIP, 88 ERA+
NYM: RHP Nolan McLean (4-1) – 6 G, 1.19 ERA, 40 SO, 0.98 WHIP, 342 ERA+
Cavalli’s 2025 season, regardless of the good and the bad, is a milestone in his career. After not throwing in a Major League game since 2022, Cavalli has eaten innings and, at times, has shown why he was considered a long-term option for Washington in the starting rotation. In his last start, he threw a quality start, lasting five innings and giving up three runs in a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Nolan McLean has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball since making the jump to the majors. He is 4-1 through six starts and holds an ERA of 1.19. If the Mets were to make the playoffs, it is almost certain that McLean could become a valuable starter for them in their postseason run. In his last start, he was dominant, throwing six innings, allowing zero runs on five hits while striking out seven batters.
GAME THREE – Sunday, 1:40 EDT
WAS: LHP Mitchell Parker (8-16) – 30 G, 5.85 ERA, 101 SO, 1.47 WHIP, 71 ERA+
NYM: RHP Clay Holmes (11-8) – 30 G, 3.77 ERA, 124 SO, 1.34 WHIP, 108 ERA+
Parker has regressed since 2024 and has disappointed many fans this season. However, with his young age, he has the opportunity to continue to grow and show the talent he flashed at the beginning of the season. In his last start, he struggled, going five innings and allowing six runs on ten hits in a loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Before 2025, Clay Holmes had not started a game in the majors since 2018 in his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Holmes has been an important and consistent arm for an injury-riddled starting rotation. With a 108 ERA+ in his first year as a starter, Holmes has earned his role as a starter in the majors. In his last start, he threw four innings, allowing two runs on three hits in a win against the San Diego Padres.
As the season comes close to the end, Washington Nationals fans can rejoice as they can put a brutal season behind them. However, they could determine the outcome for the New York Mets and their chance at making the postseason. This could be a great series victory for a young team that is desperate for moral victories.
