Washington Nationals at New York Mets

Nationals-Mets game rained out, doubleheader Tuesday

The first game is set to begin at 4:10 p.m., though the forecast Tuesday is similarly soggy.

New York (98-61) began the day two games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the NL East with three to play. The playoff-bound Mets have led the division for 175 days this season, but their chances of winning it all but disappeared last weekend when they were swept in three games at Atlanta.

The only way the Mets take the NL East and bypass a best-of-three wild-card series this weekend is by sweeping three games from the last-place Nationals while Atlanta loses all three at Miami.

“We’re hoping they lose three and we win three,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said about three hours before the game was postponed. “I ain’t giving in. Never know."

Showalter said he had a "lot of confidence in Don Mattingly,” his former captain with the New York Yankees.

Mattingly is embarking upon his final series as Marlins manager.

Neither team had announced pitching plans for the doubleheader. Carlos Carrasco was slated to start Monday for the Mets against Cory Abbott.

The listed starters for Tuesday were Taijuan Walker for New York and Paolo Espino for Washington.

How can I watch Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets?

• TV Channel: Nationals at Mets 2022 MLB Baseball, is broadcasted on MLB.tv.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.