The Mets are back for the second half of the season! What a first half for the Mets who stumbled out of the gate, when on a run, free-fell for the better part of the month and then just lit baseball world on fire for the last month and a half. The Mets find themselves in playoff contention with slightly less than two weeks until the trade deadline. Hope you are ready for the second half of 2024, let’s go!
Sean Manaea looks to build off of his terrific first half of the season. Over 96 1/3 innings he has a 3.46 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.215 WHIP and a 112 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed five runs, four earned over 25 innings (1.44 ERA, 3.80 FIP) with opponents slashing .165/.268/.247 against him. His last start was blemished by two homers, his first two allowed since June 14th. In Manaea’s only start against the Marlins this season, he allowed two runs from five hits including a homer over five innings. The Marlins have the following career numbers against him:
- Josh Bell 1-3, 2B
- Vidal Brujan 0-2, K
- Jake Burger 0-2
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. 0-6, 2 K
- Bryan De La Cruz 2-6, 2 K
- Nick Fortes 2-2, 2 HR
- Emmanuel Rivera 2-4, HR, BB, K
Edward Cabrera has pitched 28 1/3 innings over seven games with a 8.26 ERA, 5.67 FIP, 1.588 WHIP and a 53 ERA+. He’s made two starts since returning from the injured list. In his first start he allowed two runs over 3 2/3 innings. His last time out on July 13th he allowed seven runs from six hits, including four homers, over 3 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Edward:
- Pete Alonso 3-12, 3 HR, 3 BB, 5 K
- José Iglesias 0-2
- Francisco Lindor 1-13, 2 BB, 2 K
- Jeff McNeil 2-12, 2B, BB, K
- Brandon Nimmo 3-9, 6 BB, 2 K
- DJ Stewart 1-2, K
- Tyrone Taylor 1-5, 2 K
- Mark Vientos 1-2
Three Things To Watch For:
- Hug Watch in Miami. The Marlins have the worst record in the National League heading into play today and they will probably be in sell mode at the deadline, the opposite of a team that traded a couple of prospects to the Mets for David Robertson a year ago. Reliever Tanner Scott is drawing a lot of interest (a rental arm with a 1.42 ERA, 1.079 WHIP over 37 games). Jazz Chisholm Jr. is also rumored to be moved. Further players drawing interest include Josh Bell, Declan Cronin and Calvin Faucher.
- Homers. Sean Manaea’s strong run to end the first half was due in large part to keeping the ball in the park. He did allowed two homers in his last outing. Edward Cabrera has allowed home runs now in five consecutive starts. His best start of the season where he allowed one run over six innings, was his first start of the year and only one of two games where he kept the ball in the park. The Mets are second in the national league in homers hit.
- Francisco Lindor. Lindor has been one of the best players in baseball – no matter what the league says via All-Star bids. He is currently hitting .253/.329/.454 this season with a 124 OPS+. From 2021 to 2023 his OPS+ as a Met was 100, 125 and 122. Where he goes the second half of the season, the Mets will as well! Will he have a second consecutive 30-30 season? He currently has 17 homers and 18 stolen bases. One hot streak can put this milestone right in reach.
Let’s Go Mets!
