For the first time in 2025, we’ll see how the Mets respond to an ugly loss.
According to the umpires, Jesse Winker lined into a triple play (the ball hit the ground before being caught) which upset the momentum in the game – two on and no out instantly became three outs. The Mets would later overcome this thanks to a bases clearing triple by Mark Vientos, giving the Mets the lead. Jeff McNeil couldn’t make a play in the bottom of the ninth and the Mets went on to lose. A rough game of emotions. A hallmark of a strong club is how loose they come back after an April loss like this – hopefully we see that today!
Clay Holmes has a 3.16 ERA, 2.13 FIP, 1.364 WHIP and a 121 ERA+ over 25 2/3 innings spread across five starts this season. He’s allowed only two runs from six hits and four walks over his last two starts striking out 14 batters while pitching 11 innings. He completed the sixth inning in his last outing against the Cardinals, the deepest he has gone this year and the next critical step in his development as a major league starter. He also pitched six complete innings only needing 91 pitches. The Nationals have the following career numbers against him:
- CJ Abrams 1-1
- Riley Adams 0-1
- Josh Bell 0-2
- ALex Call 1-1
- Luis García Jr. 0-1
- Nathaniel Lowe 0-1, BB, K
- Amed Rosario 2-8, 3 K
- Keibert Ruiz 0-1
- José Tena 0-1
The Mets bats will get a look at Brad Lord this afternoon. Over 13 1/3 innings in his first major league season, Lord has a 4.73 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 1.875 WHIP and an 85 ERA+ over six games including three starts. He’s been pitching in the rotation since April 8th allowing six runs over 11 1/3 innings from 13 hits and seven walks while striking out ten. This will be the first time anyone on the Mets has seen Lord in a major league game.
Three Things To Watch For:
- Mark Vientos. After the game on April 11th, Mark Vientos was slashing .109/.241/.152 on the season. Since then he has gone 11-for-38 at the plate with three doubles, a triple and two home runs slashing .289/.325/.579. Vientos is the X-factor for the Mets when he provides the pop. Last weekend he homered in back-to-back days against the Cardinals. Friday night he came up clutch with a bases clearing triple. All of this has raised his season slugging from .152 to .345 over the last 10 games.
- What do the Mets do with Jeff, Tyrone and Luisangel? We are obviously not talking about anything drastic – Jeff McNeil has only been back for one game. Essentially the Mets have navigate a few things. They need more offensive production from center field. Tyrone Taylor, defensively, has been playing a strong center field since Siri went down. Luisangel Acuña has a better glove and has started to come around with the bat at second. McNeil is a veteran and when he’s locked in at the plate he can consistently get on base.
- Brandon Nimmo. Is Brandon Nimmo finally starting to breakout of the funk that he’s in? He has a 78 OPS+ on the season, he hasn’t been below 100 since his rookie season. He’s now gotten on base in six consecutive games, going 6-for-24 at the plate with a walk. He’s not walking as much this season, concentrating on power, but hasn’t had an extra base hit since April 13th. Going 2-for-4 at the plate last night, and setting up the Mark Vientos triple is a positive sign!
Let’s Go Mets!
