The Mets look to win the series against the Diamondbacks tonight in Queens!
The series opener was a firework filled affair with the Mets launching three home runs (Lindor, Alonso and Marte) and the team making defensive play after defensive play in the field. They cruised to an 8-3 lead and were able to save the bullpen thanks to Kevin Herget working multiple innings to close the game.
Starting next week the Mets will have several weeks in a row with Thursday off, creating a nice rhythm for starters. Today they are inserting a “sixth starter” to create some rest for the team. Brandon Waddell will get the bulk of the work with the bullpen filling in the rest.
Brandon Waddell is the bulk guy this evening for the Mets. The last time Waddell pitched in the majors was 2021 where he pitched 9 1/3 innings over nine games for three different organizations, allowing eight runs, seven earned, from 14 hits. He spent the last two seasons in the KBO and the CPBL putting up some respectable numbers, including a 2.82 ERA over 175 2/3 innings across both leagues in 2023. He has a 1.54 ERA over 23 1/3 innings (five starts) in Syracuse this season. Waddell has thrown over 80 pitches twice this season so if he gets into a groove he can give the Mets a solid start this evening.
The Mets face off against the big off season signing for the Diamondbacks – Corbin Burnes! Burnes has made five starts pitching 26 2/3 innings with a 4.05 ERA, 4.73 FIP, 1.350 WHIP and a 103 ERA+. He has been considerably better in his last two starts, allowing three runs, five earned, over 11 1/3 innings from nine hits, three walks while striking out eight. The Mets have the following career stats against Burnes:
- Pete Alonso 6-15, 2B, 3 HR, BB, 3 K
- Francisco LIndor 6-16, 2 2B, 3B, 8 K
- Starling Marte 3-7, 2B, 2 K
- Jeff McNeil 4-15, HR, K
- Brandon Nimmo 6-15, 2B, 2 3B, 3 K
- Juan Soto 2-5, 2B, BB, 2 K
- Jesse Winker 2-8, BB, 3 K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Great Hitting vs Great Glove Work. Going into the play today the Diamondbacks are 4th in the majors in OPS (.772). The Diamondbacks got eight hits on Tuesday night, and ripped the ball all over the place. The Mets gloves though had a phenomenal game. From Lindor being Lindor, to Pete Alonso turning guaranteed hits into outs to Tyrone Taylor possibly making the catch of the year, the Mets put on a show. With a bulk pitcher tonight, the Mets are really going to need to keep that same energy.
- Pete’s Back! Pete Alonso didn’t really go anywhere, but he had three games in a row where his hitting came back down to Earth, going 3-for-13 with a double and four walks (.444 OBP). Over the last two games Pete has gone 4-for-8 with a home run, two walks and five runs scored. His home run puts him at 233 for his career, 20 left to set a new franchise record. Alonso currently leads the league in doubles (11), SLG (.664), OPS (1.126) and OPS+ (219).
- The Other Corbin. The Mets bats are dealing with Corbin Burnes tonight, but the pitchers are handling Corbin Carroll. Carroll is having a much more typical season, hitting .298/.365/.645 (174 OPS+) after hitting .231/.322/.428 (107 OPS+) last season. He currently leads the league with four triples and total bases (80). The Mets pitchers were able to contain him last night, keeping him hitless in four at bats.
Let’s Go Mets!
