Manaea starts for the Mets in DC, using a sinker-slider mix to keep hitters off balance. His 4.78 ERA through two starts masks a pitcher with solid ground-ball tendencies when locating down. Fantasy managers should watch for his ability to command the fastball early and avoid deep counts, as Washington’s lineup can capitalize in the middle frames if Manaea falls behind. His success tonight could set the tone for NYM’s bullpen and run-support expectations.

Manaea starts against DeJong in Washington, with DeJong’s lefty-mashing ability giving him a credible homer path in Nationals Park.

Manaea arrived as a sparkplug, delivering a composed 5.1 frames with zero earned runs and eight strikeouts. His presence instantly reshapes the Mets’ rotation narrative, providing a reliable anchor while highlighting upside for fantasy rosters that chase stability in September.

Manaea provides a steady floor with an ability to limit hard contact when he’s locating well. His matchup against Seattle’s shuffled lineup requires precise command and a well-timed breaking ball to reduce the risk of early runs.

Manaea sits with a 4.33 ERA and a 1-1 record; his last outing was a rough 9.00 ERA line, with four earned on six hits and five strikeouts. The Mets enter a slide, making Manaea a pivot point in this matchup where fantasy managers consider risk-adjusted exposure. His bounce-back potential hinges on control and a cleaner sequence to quiet Seattle's lineup.