Plans for deGrom's final start after rainout

Rather than endure what might have been a lengthy delay, the Mets and Nationals postponed their Friday night game in Washington shortly before first pitch. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday at Nationals Park beginning at 3:05 p.m. ET. Game 2 will begin 30-45 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.

Friday’s originally scheduled Mets starter, Rick Porcello, will pitch the second of Saturday's games, each of which will be seven innings long. Jacob deGrom will start the opener, trying to make a final push to his third consecutive National League Cy Young Award.

The Mets entered play on Friday needing a win to keep their microscopic playoff hopes alive, and they'll enter Saturday's doubleheader still alive, thanks to the Padres' walk-off win over the Giants in the nightcap of their doubleheader at Oracle Park. Still, the Mets can reach the postseason only by winning all of their remaining games and having the Phillies and Giants stumble multiple times.

deGrom can help the Mets' cause. He struck out 14 batters in seven innings last time out against the Braves, allowing two runs, and he ranks fifth in the NL in ERA and second in strikeouts.

Porcello, meanwhile, has been trending upward following a disappointing start to the season. He struck out 10 over seven strong innings last time out and owns a 2.08 ERA in two starts against the Nationals this season.