Game one of three in Shea Stadium, Flushing, NY features:
Matt Chico (5-9, 4.74) vs Mike Pelfrey (3-7, 5.24)
When Washington entertained New York last week in RFK Stadium, Matt Chico and Mike Pelfrey faced off in the series finale, which was the one game the Mets took from the Nationals in DC. Over the weekend while the Nationals dropped three of four to the Phillies, the Mets were in Florida where they took three of four from the Marlins...
...so...as the teams enter play Monday, the NL East Division leading Mets hold a 2.5 game lead over the Phillies. Philly's now at home for three with Atlanta, who start the week 5.5 games out of first, but still not mathematically eliminated...(though they're pretty much out)...
Last time out in DC, Mike Pelfrey lasted 5.0 innings, allowing 9 hits and 3 runs with 3 walks and 4 K's in the 8-4 Mets win over the Nationals. Chico lasted 5.1 innings, giving up 7 hits and 5 runs with 1 walk and 3 K's in the losing effort.
With one week left before the 2007 Post Season, the Mets hold a (9-6) lead over the Nationals in the season series. If the Nationals manage a sweep they can be directly responsible for the demise of the Mets. I've got tickets for Wednesday night's game in Shea, so I can secretly cheer on the Nationals when Shawn Hill faces Phillip Humber. Tomorrow night it's Jason Bergmann vs Tom Glavine.
Nationals fans have probably seen the last of Dmitri Young, and Wily Mo Pena can't grip a bat, but Cristian Guzman has forced his way back just to play in the last week, and Justin Maxwell, Ross Detwiler, Arnie Munoz, and John Albaladejo, are all looking to make impressions, while Winston Abreu looks a little like K-Rod, and Jesus Flores looks more and more like "the Future."
There are still lots of reasons to watch...