The Washington Nationals traveled to Queens on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to begin a divisional series against a New York Mets squad currently tied for the worst record in Major League Baseball. The matchup at Citi Field features two teams dealing with early-season instability and significant adjustments to their active rosters.
New York enters the contest with a 9-19 record, a slump that has placed manager Carlos Mendoza under intense scrutiny following the recent dismissals of Alex Cora and Rob Thomson elsewhere in the league. The Mets are further hampered by the absence of stars Luis Robert Jr. and Francisco Lindor due to injuries.
The Nationals have opted for a lineup shuffle for the series opener, placing Brady House in the designated hitter spot while Jorbit Vivas takes over duties at third base. Drew Millas is set to start behind the plate as the team seeks to capitalize on the Mets’ recent struggles.
Right-hander Zack Littell takes the mound for Washington looking to improve upon a difficult start to his tenure with the club, specifically aiming to reduce the frequency of home runs allowed. He faces a Mets lineup that features Juan Soto as the designated hitter, as Soto is not yet healthy enough to play the field.
The Mets’ defensive alignment sees MJ Melendez moving to left field and Brett Baty shifted to right field to accommodate Soto’s limited role. Carson Benge will handle center field duties for the New York defense during the Tuesday night engagement.
Clay Holmes serves as the starting pitcher for the Mets, representing one of the few bright spots for the team’s pitching staff this season. According to reports from Yahoo Sports, the Mets are viewing the series as a critical opportunity to rebound despite being shorthanded in the field.
The game serves as the first of three divisional matchups scheduled between the two National League East rivals this week. Washington looks to improve its standing in the division while New York attempts to move out of the bottom of the league rankings.