Game 126: Nats at Mets

Jake Irvin needs to provide some length today after the Nationals bullpen was overextended during Saturday's loss

NEW YORK – The Nationals did not want to find themselves in this position today, needing a win to avoid a series sweep at Citi Field. But that’s where they stand after Yovanny Cruz blew the save in the bottom of the ninth Saturday evening here. Not exactly the best way to open a 17-game stretch against supposedly weaker competition.

Today’s finale sees Jake Irvin take the mound, and the right-hander simply must be more efficient than he was last time out against the Cubs, when he needed 88 pitches to complete only 3 1/3 innings. After burning up much of the bullpen Saturday, the Nats desperately need length from Irvin today. If for some reason he can’t provide that, they do have Trevor Williams (who today is celebrating 10 years of MLB service time) available for long relief.

The Mets are starting Christian Scott, who pitched in D.C. back in May and also labored, throwing 81 pitches in only four innings.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at NEW YORK METS
Where: Citi Field
Gametime: 1:40 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 80 degrees, wind 15 mph out to left

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
1B Abimelec Ortiz
RF Dylan Crews
LF Daylen Lile
3B Brady House
2B Jorbit Vivas
DH Andrés Chaparro
C Keibert Ruiz
CF Jacob Young

RHP Jake Irvin

METS
CF A.J. Ewing
SS Francisco Lindor
3B Bo Bichette
RF Carson Benge
1B Jared Young
LF Luis Robert Jr.
2B Brett Baty
DH Jorge Polanco
C Luis Torrens

RHP Christian Scott