NEW YORK — The Mets needed a miracle. Instead they got a rainout.
After getting swept by the Atlanta Braves over the weekend in a series that more than likely decided the NL East, the Mets were looking forward to turning the page and coming out strong against the Washington National in the final home series of the regular season. But they’ll have to wait another day to get a shot against the division’s worst team.
The game was postponed due to rain and the two teams will play a single-admission doubleheader Tuesday at Citi Field. Game 1 is slated for 4 p.m. Carlos Carrasco (15-7, 3.95) is expected to be on the hill for the Mets and Cory Abbott (0-4, 5.11) is scheduled for the Nats. Taijuan Walker (12-5, 3.59) is expected to pitch the second game against Paolo Espino (0-8, 4.30).
“It was a tough plane ride. I know how much they care and how much the fans care,” manager Showalter said. “You hate to disappoint people. You want everything to go well. You want people to be confident. I’m very proud of where they’ve come so far, but it’s reality. It’s a lot of opportunities that we have taken advantage of and they’ll get another one this season.”
Jacob deGrom is penciled in for his final turn in the regular season rotation in the series finale Wednesday, but the Mets have not decided whether or not he will make that start. The club needs some help from the Miami Marlins this week as they sit one game back from the Braves with three games to play.
The defending World Series champs only need one win to capture their fifth straight NL East title. deGrom would likely pitch if the Braves lose the first two games of the series and the Mets have a chance to win Wednesday. But it’s more likely that the Mets save him for a Wild Card series next weekend. Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt would be available on extra rest for a weekend postseason series against either the San Diego Padres or the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Mets aren’t ready to concede the division just yet, despite the ultra-slim odds.
“They haven’t won the division yet,” shortstop Francisco Lindor said.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets from Monday’s game will not be valid for the makeup game. A digital voucher will be loaded into each ticket holder’s My Mets account and fans may exchange the voucher for ticket comparable in price and location for one of the final three games at Citi Field this week (including the makeup doubleheader). Fans could also exchange the voucher for a regular season home game at Citi Field next season during April, May or June, excluding Opening Day.
