The New York Mets and the Washington Nationals have a history. But beyond the headlines and the rivalries, baseball is a game of numbers. Player stats are the key to understanding what really happens on the field.
This is a head-to-head comparison of player stats for regular season and playoff games between the Mets and Nationals.
A note about the numbers
Baseball’s been around for a while, and people have been tracking the numbers for almost as long. Regular season stats go all the way back to 1901, with postseason data starting in 1903 and All-Star game stats kicking off in 1933.
The most complete play-by-play information is available from 1969 on, but you can find some data from earlier years, too. Just keep in mind that some of the older stats may be incomplete or inconsistent. It’s still fun to look back, though!
Head-to-Head Player Stats: Regular Season
When the Mets and Nationals face off, which players tend to shine? Let’s dive into some key offensive and pitching categories to see who typically brings their A-game.
Key Offensive Categories
- Batting Average: Who consistently gets hits when these two teams meet? We’ll compare the batting averages of the top hitters.
- Home Runs: Which sluggers go yard most often in Mets vs. Nationals matchups?
- RBIs: Which players are most likely to drive in runs against the opposing team?
Key Pitching Categories
- ERA: We’ll compare ERAs to see which starting pitchers consistently keep runs off the board in these rivalry games.
- Strikeouts: Which pitchers rack up the most strikeouts against the opposing lineup?
- Wins: Which pitchers have the most wins in Mets vs. Nationals games?
Head-to-Head Player Stats: Playoffs
The Mets and Nationals haven’t actually met in the playoffs yet, but that could change! Looking at the current rosters, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso could be key players for the Mets, while Lane Thomas and CJ Abrams might be difference-makers for the Nationals.
Summary
Looking at player stats is a great way to understand the Mets-Nationals rivalry, and these numbers make watching the game even more interesting. It’s amazing how much data we have now, and how that data helps us analyze every aspect of the game.