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Today · 3:05 PM ETLineup pendingNL East

New York Mets   vs   Washington Nationals Preview

September 27, 2026

Starting pitchers, lineup status, recent form and weather at Nationals Park.

3:05 PM ET · Nationals ParkStats availableLineups not confirmed
T-Score45
New York Mets
73–87 · 5th NL East · T-Score 45
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First pitch 3:05 PM ET
Washington Nationals
76–84 · 4th NL East · T-Score 53
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T-Score53
First pitch 3:05 PM ET

Matchup at a glance

PitcherStat calculation
CategoryComparisonWhy
Starting pitcherMetsThe starters are close overall, but Manaea owns the better strikeout and control profile.
Offense vs handNationalsWashington has produced the stronger offense against left-handed pitching.
WeatherModerate impactA 11 mph wind could modestly increase carry on fly balls.

Starting pitchers

NYM
Sean Manaea LHP
Sean Manaea
New York Mets
2026 season (MLB rank among qualified starters)
ERA
4.67
149th
WHIP
1.30
110th
K/9
8.77
84th
BB/9
2.68
66th
P-Score52i
FIP
4.44
HR/9
1.43
158th
OPS/R
0.837
IP
144.2
2026 ERA splits
Home ERA4.73
Road ERA4.62
Last 5 starts
WSH
DJ Herz LHP
DJ Herz
Washington Nationals
2026 season (MLB rank among qualified starters)
ERA
9.00
WHIP
1.75
K/9
9.00
BB/9
4.50
FIP
2.10
HR/9
2.25
OPS/R
–
IP
4.0
Last 5 starts
How the starters differ
·Herz owns the lower FIP, 2.10 to 4.44.
·Manaea allows fewer baserunners, with a 1.30 WHIP compared with 1.75.
·Manaea allows the lower home-run rate: 1.43 vs 2.25 per nine.
Advanced starter metricsERA−, FIP, WAR, career vs opponent
MetricManaeaHerzNote
ERA−114–Park- and league-adjusted; 100 is average.
FIP4.442.10
WAR1.0–Season value.

How the lineups match the starters' pitch mix

Pitch data coverage: partial. Usage and velocity only.

Manaea arsenal
PitchUsageVelo
Four-seam39%91.3
Sweeper31%75.8
Sinker19%90.4
Cutter8%84.6
Changeup4%84.1
Herz arsenal
PitchUsageVelo
Four-seam48%93.0
Changeup32%82.8
Slider17%87.5
Knuckle Curve3%80.3

Team OPS vs opposing starter's hand

Mets vs LHP (DJ Herz)
23rd
in MLB
0.684OPS
.600.700.800.9001.000
Nationals vs LHP (Sean Manaea)
3rd
in MLB
0.772OPS
.600.700.800.9001.000

Lineups

Lineup pendingOrder from the stored snapshot; treat as unofficial until the card is filed.Full lineup page
Lineups not announced

Neither club has posted a batting order. Handedness composition, H-Score leaders and batter-vs-pitcher samples appear here as soon as the first order is filed — typically two to three hours before first pitch.

Team comparison

ResultsNYMNYM·WSHWSH
+20721st
Run differential
+3206th
73–87 Record76–84
Last 10 games
New York Mets (0–0)
Washington Nationals (0–0)
2026 head-to-head
Season Series
0—0
0 Games Played

Frequently asked

Who is starting for the Mets?+
Sean Manaea is listed as the starter.
Who is starting for the Nationals?+
DJ Herz is listed as the starter.
What time does the game start?+
3:05 PM ET at Nationals Park.
Where is the game being played?+
Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals.
Are the lineups confirmed?+
Not yet. Orders appear here when they are posted.
How do the starters compare on P-Score?+
P-Score is available for one starter only.