Mets vs. Nats, an intertwined series preview

The Nationals will travel up north to take on the strong New York Mets club after finally stopping their losing skid at home on Sunday. The Mets (5-6) and the Nats (4-9) are two teams struggling to find their identies early in the season. Both teams suffered injuries at the end of Spring Training, and both teams are now just finally getting healthy. What will make this series interesting is two things; first both teams are coming off of disappointing starts to the season and desperate to beat up on the other team to make up for lost ground, and second is the amount of personnel that have belonged to both teams in the last several years.

Mixed Loyalties or Deep Grudges?

Former Mets on the Nationals:
-Manny Acta as third base coach
-Paul Lo Duca
-Johnny Estrada (Kinda)
-Lastings Milledge

Former Nationals on the Mets
-Brian Schneider
-Marlon Anderson
-Ryan Church
-Endy Chavez
Reach: Pedro Martinez and Mousis Alou used to be Expos

Relationships:
-Omar Minaya was a terrible general manager for the Expoes before he became an ok general manager for the Mets.
-Ryan Zimmerman and David Wright played on the same summer team together in Highschool

Series History:
The Mets lead the series as the Nationals are 23-32 against their neighbors to the north since coming to Washington. The Nats however have won three in a row against the Mets including a crushing series sweep over them last September which contributed to the Mets losing the division and missing out of the playoffs. While Washington themselves has not been much of a power in the NL East since moving to D.C, their contributions to disrupting the powers at be has earned them the nickname through much of the league as, “Those Pesky Nats.”

Probable Starters:
Game 1: Odalis Perez (0-2, 4.91 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
Game 2: Matt Chico (0-2, 3.72ERA) vs. John Maine (0-1, 4.50 ERA)
Game 3: John Lannan (0-2, 6.75 ERA) vs. Nelson Figeuroa (1-0, 4.50 ERA)

What to look for:
Jose Reyes, arguably the Mets best all around player and starting shortstop, has been sidelined the last several games due to a hamstring injury. Reyes is a player who relies on his speed and explosiveness to make great plays in the field and on the base path. Much of the success of the Mets against the Nats this week will determine on the health of his left hammy.

Lastings Milledge will be going up against the New York City crowd for the first time as an enemy and not the future of the franchise. In general while Mets fans liked Milledge, his lack of ability to fit in and become the phenom for the blue and orange that so many wanted has left them bitter. On top of this the young Milledge has not made it better for himself by actively speaking out about his time in the Big Apple. They way Lastings is able to handle this crowd will not only show if he has gained a level of maturity since the trade, but also his ability to play against a hostile crowd.

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