Grapefruit League GameThread: Nationals at Mets; Lucas Giolito vs Bartolo Colon

New York Mets' right-hander Bartolo Colon, 42, takes on a pitcher 21 years younger than him this afternoon when top prospect Lucas Giolito starts for the Washington Nationals in this afternoon's Grapefruit League matchup from Port St. Lucie, Florida's Tradition Field.

Colon, an 18-year major league veteran, was (1-0) in two games, one start, against Washington last season with a 1.29 ERA, one walk, nine Ks and a .120/.154/.240 line against in seven innings against the Nationals in his second year with the Mets.

On the year, the veteran righty was (14-13) in 33 games, 31 starts and 194 ⅔ innings pitched, over which he had a 4.16 ERA, a 3.84 FIP, 24 walks (1.11 BB/9) and 136 Ks (6.29 K/9)

Giolito, the Nationals' first-round pick in 2012 (16th overall), split the 2015 campaign between High-A and Double-A in the Nats' system, putting up a 2.71 ERA, a 1.96 FIP, 20 walks (2.58 BB/9) and 86 Ks (11.11 K/9) in 69 ⅔ innings for the Potomac Nationals and a 3.80 ERA, a 3.18 FIP, 17 walks (3.23 BB/9) and 45 Ks (8.56 K/9) in 47 ⅓ innings for the Harrisburg Senators.

Giolito makes his first start of the Spring this afternoon in the Mets' Spring home after coming out of the bullpen in his first three outings, over which he's given up six hits, two walks and three runs, striking out eight in 4 ⅔ innings pitched, and holding opposing hitters to a .286 AVG.

Here's the Nationals' lineup for this afternoon's game:

1. Michael Taylor - CF
2. Daniel Murphy - 2B
3. Stephen Drew - 3B
4. Ryan Zimmerman - 1B
5. Chris Heisey - RF
6. Danny Espinosa - SS
7. Reed Johnson - LF
8. Jose Lobaton - C
9. Matt den Dekker - DH
10. Lucas Giolito - P