NEW YORK – The Nationals did a lot of things right in Monday night’s series opener against the Mets. They got off to a great start by Jake Irvin. They played tough defense. They had some good relief pitchers. What they lacked was sufficient offense, especially in the crucial situations late in the game. The Nats finished the game 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and that included 0-for-6 in the ninth and tenth innings alone, which is why they lost the game 2-1.

So a more timely offense would really help things tonight. The Nationals will face Tylor Megill, who they allowed five runs to in five innings in June. In that game they got a home run off Joey Gallo, but it should be noted that much of the damage tonight was done by players who are no longer with the team (Lane Thomas, Jesse Winker, Eddie Rosario). So tonight will be a new group facing Megill.

Mitchell Parker is making his second appearance against the Mets, and the first outing didn’t go so well. The left-hander allowed five runs in six innings, including three home runs. Those came from Tyrone Taylor, Mark Vientos and Francisco Lindor, and while the latter is out again tonight with a back injury, the former two are playing. Parker has been good overall recently, though, and has a 3.38 ERA in his last five starts.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at NEW YORK METS
Where: Citi Field
Playing time: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 74 degrees, wind 8 mph in left field

NATIONAL
SS CJ Abrams
LF James Wood
3B Jose Tena
DH Juan Yepez
2B Luis Garcia Jr.
C Keibert Ruiz
by Dylan Crews
1B Joey Gallo
CF Jacob Young

LHP Mitchell Parker

METS
2B Jose Iglesias
RF Starling Marte
1B Pete Alonso
3B Mark Vientos
LF Tyrone Taylor
DH JD Martinez
C Francisco Alvarez
CF Harrison Bader
SS Luisangel Acuña

RHP Tylor Megill