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Game Details

• New York Mets (10-9) vs. Washington Nationals (12-9)
• Pitching Matchup: RHP Tylor Megill (1-2; 1.50 ERA) vs. LHP MacKenzie Gore (0-0; 1.69 ERA)
• Date: Sunday, March 17, 2024 | 1:05 p.m. ET
• TV: MASN | Radio: 106.7 The Fan
• Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches | West Palm Beach, FL

Game Story Line & Notes

• Today, the Washington Nationals will face the New York Mets again! The Washington Nationals prospects played the New York Mets prospects during the Spring Breakout Game on Friday and another game during the evening. The Nationals will host the Mets today at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.

• We might be looking at the starting lineup for the Nationals minus Keibert Ruiz, who will likely start at the catcher position rather than Drew Millas.

• Player Spotlight: CJ Abrams.

  • CJ Abrams will lead off for the Nationals again and play shortstop in this afternoon’s game. Abrams enters today’s game with a batting average of .250 and an OPS of .648. He is 8-32 with one home run, three RBI, and three stolen bases. In his last appearance against the New York Mets on March 12th, Abrams went 0-3. Let’s hope that he can turn it around today. In Yesterday’s game, Abrams went 1-3, with his only hit being an RBI double

• Quotable(s):

  • “I heard about it, and I wasn’t a big fan of it… Because if you paint one a little off the edge and they call it a strike, they’re going to challenge it, and you’re not going to get the pitch. But today, it actually worked in my favor. So I guess I’ve got to say I’m a fan of it now.” - Right-hander Travis Sykora on using the Automated Balls and Strikes system in Friday’s game.

  • “It was a weird swing, so I didn’t want to take any chances… He feels totally fine. He said he could play today [Saturday]. But I said, ‘You’ve been playing a lot. Let’s just give you a day, and we’ll get you back out there.'” Davey Martinez talks about giving Washington Nationals prospect James Wood a day off on Saturday against the Cardinals.

On the bump for the Nationals: LHP MacKenzie Gore

Today, the Washington Nationals will send LHP MacKenzie Gore to the mound in search of his first 2024 Spring Training win. Gore has already appeared in three games and has pitched 10.2 innings; however, he hasn’t been credited for a win in any of those games. Gore has looked sharp over his three starts this spring training, holding an ERA of 1.69 with nine strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.84.

His last appearance on the mound was also against the New York Mets on March 12. He pitched 5.2 innings and gave up one run on two hits. He walked three and struck out two.

Gore and fellow starting pitcher RHP Josiah Gray have been impressive on the mound for the Nationals, and it is a big possibility that Gore or Gray might be named the Opening Day starter for the Washington Nationals. [Remember, the Nationals are starting the 2024 season on the road against the Reds. There might also be an opportunity for one of these pitchers to get the start for the Nationals home opener.]

Washington Nationals Starting Lineup (Subject to Change)

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