Nationals ride newfound strong home form into finale vs. Mets

After going the first month of the season without winning a home series, the Washington Nationals have a chance to win their third home set in a row when they face the New York Mets on Thursday.

Washington, which is 10-15 at home, did not win a home series until taking two of three May 5-7 against the Minnesota Twins. The Nationals then went on a six-game road trip but returned home last weekend to take two of three from the Baltimore Orioles, and they have won two of three from the Mets with the Thursday finale looming.

New York, which won the series opener on Monday, will send left-hander David Peterson (2-4, 5.40 ERA) to oppose right-hander Cade Cavalli (2-2, 4.05) on Thursday.

Peterson is expected to start the contest after working behind an opener his last three times out. He picked up his second win of the season on Saturday when he gave up two runs on six hits in four innings against the New York Yankees. He struck out eight and walked three.

Peterson is 7-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 15 games (12 starts) against the Nationals. He gave up seven runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings and took a loss against Washington on April 29.

Cavalli turned in his longest outing of the season in his latest start. He tossed 6 1/3 innings in a win against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits (two of them home runs) while striking out eight without a walk.

Cavalli's other win this year came against Peterson and the Mets on April 29. In that outing, he allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings and struck out 10 while walking two.

In two lifetime outings vs. New York, Cavalli is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA.

On Wednesday, CJ Abrams hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Nationals went on to an 8-4 win. He added a single and scored twice

"He just looks extremely simple and calm in the box," Washington manager Blake Butera said. "Everything seems free and easy for him right now. It doesn't look like he's trying to do too much."

Jacob Young doubled and homered for the Nationals.

Zack Littell (3-4) won his third consecutive decision, and Andrew Alvarez allowed two runs over four innings to earn his first career save. The four-inning save was the longest in Nationals history (2005-present), surpassing Mitchell Parker's 3 2/3-inning outing in 2025.

"It's unexpected, being a starter," Alvarez said. "What it means actually is just a win for the team and I'm just super grateful for the opportunity to be out there and that they trust me for that ninth inning. It's awesome."

New York's Juan Soto hit two home runs against his former team, giving him three in the past two games. He has five homers and nine RBIs in his past seven games.

Aside from Soto, the Mets' offense did little against Littell and Alvarez.

"We missed good pitches to hit," New York manager Carlos Mendoza said. "I thought we put together some decent at-bats there but nothing as a team where we could knock it down. Yeah, missed pitches there."

--Field Level Media

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 1:10 AM.