Game 31: Nats at Mets

Cade Cavalli looks to pick up where he left off in his last start and even the series at Citi Field

NEW YORK – Tuesday night’s series opener was a complete dud for the Nationals. Zack Littell struggled once again. Jorbit Vivas made a killer error that helped create a seven-run rally for the Mets. And the lineup managed three singles and two walks against Clay Holmes and the New York bullpen.

They’ll try to bounce back tonight and even the series up, hoping for another standout start from Cade Cavalli. The right-hander finally put it all together last time out against the Braves, striking out a career-high 10 over five innings of two-run ball. Even with the high strikeout count, Cavalli kept his pitch count to a very manageable 85 because he threw 62 strikes. He’s now gone back-to-back games without issuing a walk, a big step for him after he dealt with command issues to begin the season.

The Mets have left-hander David Peterson on the mound, so Blake Butera has his right-handed-heavy lineup in place. Will that be enough to have the kind of success against Peterson that eluded the Nats last season? They totaled just one run in 17 head-to-head innings, striking out 16 times while walking only once.

There is rain in tonight’s forecast, unfortunately. It’s not supposed to arrive until after 8 p.m., but it might become an adventure trying to get the entire game in before it strikes.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at NEW YORK METS
Where: Citi Field
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Rain arriving, 55 degrees, wind 11 mph right to left

NATIONALS
DH James Wood
1B Curtis Mead
3B Brady House
SS CJ Abrams
CF Jacob Young
LF Daylen Lile
RF Joey Wiemer
2B Nasim Nuñez
C Keibert Ruiz

RHP Cade Cavalli

METS
3B Bo Bichette
DH Juan Soto
LF MJ Melendez
C Francisco Alvarez
1B Brett Baty
CF Tyrone Taylor
RF Carson Benge
2B Marcus Semien
SS Ronny Mauricio

LHP David Peterson