Game Chat: Nationals vs Mets, 7:10 PM

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Zack Littell (0-3, 7.56) vs. RHP Clay Holmes (2-2, 2.10)
SNY

Sunday may have been one of the worst days in the season so far, which is saying something, because it is still April and there have already been more than a handful of low points. The Rockies swept the doubleheader (and the series) from the Mets. The Mets recorded only ten hits and one run across both games of the doubleheader.

But today is a new day. The Mets had an off day to clear their heads, and for the first time in 2026 they will finally play an NL East opponent. The Mets are 10 games below .500 and just need to get a win to start the big climb back up.

Mets Lineup

1. Bo Bichette – 3B
2. Juan Soto – DH
3. Francisco Alvarez – C
4. MJ Melendez – LF
5. Mark Vientos – 1B
6. Brett Baty – RF
7. Marcus Semien – 2B
8. Carson Benge – CF
9. Ronny Mauricio – SS

Starting Pitcher: Clay Holmes

The Mets will turn to one of the few bright spots of the season, Clay Holmes. Holmes has made five starts pitching 30 innings with a 2.10 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 1.033 WHIP and a 189 ERA+. He is coming off of a seven inning outing where he held the Twins to two runs from five hits in a game the Mets actually won. Last year Holmes faced the Nationals twice holding them scoreless over 8 2/3 innings.

The Nationals have the following career numbers against him:

• CJ Abrams 1-3
• Luis García Jr. 1-3
• Brady House 0-2
• Curtis Mead 0-1, K
• Nasim Nunez 1-2
• Keibert Ruiz 0-3
• Jose Tena 1-3
• James Wood 1-3
• Jacob Young 1-4, K

Opposing Lineup

1. James Wood – RF
2. Luis Garcia Jr. – 1B
3. Brady House – DH
4. CJ Abrams – SS
5. Daylen Lile – LF
6. Jacob Young – CF
7. Jorbit Vivas – 3B
8. Drew Millas – C
9. Nasim Nuñez – 2B

Zack Littell has struggled this season. Over five games, four starts, he has pitched 25 innings with a 7.56 ERA, 8.61 FIP, 1.680 WHIP and a 54 ERA+. The home run ball is crushing him. Littell has already given up 11 this season, which is an absurd 4.0 HR/9. Most of the damage against him has been done in his last two starts where he has allowed 16 runs over 10 innings from 18 hits including six homers.

The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Alvarez 0-1, K
• Brett Baty 2-3, K
• Bo Bichette 5-13, 2B, 3 K
• MJ Melendez 2-3, 2B
• Marcus Semien 2-12, 3B, BB, 3 K
• Austin Slater 0-2, K
• Juan Soto 1-6, 2B, 2 BB, K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-1

Game Notes

Before the game, the Mets placed Kodai Senga on the injured list with lumbar spine inflammation. Christian Scott was called up and will likely start Wednesday’s game.

For the Mets to turn it around, the team needs to play better all over the field. Here are three areas to hone in on.

Luis Robert Jr. is day-to-day with back tightness.

Juan Soto is feeling forearm soreness, which is why he hasn’t played the field since returning from the injured list with a calf strain. There’s no structural damage, but he’ll likely just DH until he’s able to play the field again.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Homers. Littell has a 4 HR/9 this season, which is way, way above his his career 1.6 HR/9. He is two home runs ahead of the next person on the list (Eovalidi) despite making one less start. The Mets are 27th in the league with only 20 home runs. Either the Mets are going to hit some bombs tonight, or Littell will have a “get right” game.
2. Austin Slater. On Monday, the Mets DFA’d Tommy Pham and brought in Austin Slater. Pham had a dreadful stint with the Mets going 0-for-13 at the plate with a walk and seven strikeouts. Slater had 28 plate appearances with the Marlins over 12 games this season going 4-for-23 with four walks. Last season he had 160 plate appearances between the Yankees and the White Sox and slashed .216/.270/.372 with a 78 OPS+.
3. James Wood. James Wood was an All Star in 2025, hitting .256/.350/.475 with a 132 OPS+. Despite leading the league in strikeouts (221), he mashed 31 homers, knocked in 94 runs and had a 3.7 bWAR. He’s been on fire this year, leading the league with 10 homers, 28 walks and 44 strikeouts (some things don’t change). He has a 174 OPS+. If the Mets are going to win tonight, they need to contain him.

Let’s go Mets!

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