Mets pushed to the brink
With rainout, N.Y. can only watch as teams can end its chances
The New York Mets’ already slim playoff chances could be even skinnier by the time they play again.
Friday night ’s game between the Mets and the Washing ton Nationals was postponed because of rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader starting at 3:05 p.m. Saturday.
New York entered Friday barely hanging on in the playoff race, 21/2 games behind Miami for second place in the NL East and 21/2 games behind San Francisco for the final wild-card spot. The Marlins topped the Yankees 4-3 in 10 innings and the Giants won the first game of their doubleheader against the Padres, 5-4, pushing New York to the brink.
The Mets did not immediately announce their starters for the twinbill, though Jacob degrom (4-2, 2.14 ERA) was already set to go Saturday for his last outing of the regular season. Rick Porcello (1-6, 5.46), whose only victory of the season came at Washington on Aug. 5, was scheduled to pitch Friday and could be bumped back a day.
Washington, which was eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday, will play its fourth doubleheader in a nine-day span.
The Nationals will push back three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (4-4, 3.67) a day to make his final start of the season. With a victory, Scherzer would record an 11th consecutive winning season, tying the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw for the longest active streak in the majors.
Right-hander Anibal Sanchez (3-5, 6.80), who’s 3-0 with a 2.65 ERA in his past three home starts, will get the nod in the other game for Washington.
Martinez near deal
Manager Dave Martinez and the Washington Nationals have agreed to work out a contract extension that will keep him in charge of the club beyond next season, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The person confirmed the news to The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.
Martinez led the Nationals to the franchise’s first World Series championship in 2019.
After a title defense slowed by injuries and inconsistency during a 60-game season delayed and shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, Washington is 23-34 and in last place in the NL East.