Just Mets

The Mets will look to even their series against the Nationals tonight at 7:05 PM at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.

Here is tonight’s starting lineup for New York:

Curtis Granderson – RF
Ruben Tejada – SS
Daniel Murphy – 3B
Lucas Duda – 1B
Wilmer Flores – 2B
Kirk Nieuwenhuis – LF
Kevin Plawecki – C
Jacob deGrom – RHP
Juan Lagares – CF

Here is tonight’s pitching matchup:

Jacob deGrom (9-6, 2.14 ERA) will start for the Mets.

Joe Ross (2-1, 2.66 ERA) will start for the Nationals.

Here’s what I am looking for from the Mets tonight…

Play better.

Last night’s performance in the field was unacceptable. Sure, Matt Harvey did not start out well, but the Mets looked defeated before the first pitch was thrown. The defense simply must be better, especially since they can’t hit a lick and their only prayer right now is to get a lights out pitching performance from the starting pitcher.

DeGrom needs to throw like an All-Star.

It’s a must-win game for the Mets tonight, without question. And, as I said, the Mets can’t hit, so they’ll need their best pitcher (and arguably their best hitter) to put on a show on the mound tonight and get the club back within two games of first place. He is making his first start in 13 days outside of the light show he put on in the All-Star Game last weekend, so hopefully he isn’t rusty and can give the Mets a lights out performance tonight.

Step it up, show some energy.

Again, the Mets looked lifeless all night long on Monday. Hopefully they’re rested and got that nonsense from Sunday in St. Louis out of their system. The season is on the line – play like it.