Mets fans, we made it! Today’s game is the first game this series that is happening at a more convenient time on the East Coast. This is also a crucial getaway day for the Mets who have about 25 hours after this game ends to get to Colorado and get adjusted to the altitude before playing the suddenly hot Colorado Rockies.
The Mets have a chance to take a second consecutive series against the Dodgers today before leaving LA. After splitting the first two games in LA, the Mets had a solid victory Wednesday night behind Pete Alonso’s two home runs while the rest of us slept. The Mets already have the season series victory, let’s make a statement now!
David Peterson has pitched 63 2/3 innings with a 2.69 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 1.257 WHIP and a 141 ERA+. In his last four starts he has pitched 25 1/3 innings with a 2.13 ERA, 3.19 FIP while striking out 23 batters. Peterson’s start against the Dodgers back on May 24th was one of his best starts of the season where he pitched 7 2/3 innings holding the Dodgers to two runs from five hits and two walks while striking out seven. The Dodgers have the the following career numbers against Peterson:
- Mookie Betts 4-14, 2 2B, BB, K
- Michael Conforto 1-3, K
- Tommy Edman 2-4, BB, K
- Freddie Freeman 6-24, 2 HR, BB, 7 K
- Kiké Hernández 5-11, 2B, BB, 2 K
- Teoscar Hernández 3-10, 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
- Max Muncy 2-7, HR, 2 K
- Shohei Ohtani 5-14, BB, 4 K
- Andy Pages 5-7, HR, K
- Miguel Rojas 7-16, 3 2B, HR, BB K
- Dalton Rushing 0-3, 2 K
- Will Smith 2-5, 2B, HR, BB
Landon Knack has a 4.58 ERA, 4.91 FIP, 1.358 WHIP and an 85 ERA+ over 35 1/3 innings this season. Before facing the Mets he allowed nine earned runs over 9 2/3 innings. The defense failed him against the Mets on May 25th, with the Mets scoring three runs, only one earned, over six innings. His last time out he allowed only one earned run over six innings against the Yankees. Knack does have a home run problem though. He has now allowed six homers in his last four starts. The Mets have the following career stats against him:
- Pete Alonso 2-4, HR
- Francisco Alvarez 0-2
- Brett Baty 0-2, K
- Francisco Lindor 1-3, BB, K
- Starling Marte 1-2
- Jeff McNeil 1-3, 2B, K
- Brandon Nimmo 0-1, K
- Juan Soto 0-5, K
- Tyrone Taylor 1-2, 2B, BB
- Luis Torrens 0-3, K
- Jared Young 0-2
Three Things To Watch For:
- Pete Alonso. The offense ran through Pete Alonso Wednesday night, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and five RBI’s. The two home runs bring him to 240 as a Met, 12 behind Strawberry’s franchise record of 252. Since May 25th, when Landon Knack started against the Mets, Alonso has gone 11-for-39 at the plate with three doubles and five home runs slashing (.282/.348/.744). Alonso currently leads the league with 19 doubles and 53 RBI’s. It’s June 5th and he already has a 2.2 bWAR (2.6 at the end of 2024). Knack is struggling with home runs right now. Alonso made him pay two weeks ago and is on a hot streak right now.
- Juan Soto. Soto broke his five game streak with extra-base hits on Wednesday night but still managed to get on base three times with three walks, bringing him to 48 on the season. He is now third in the majors, two behind Rafael Devers for first. Alonso was able to bring Soto home on one of his homers Wednesday night, which is exactly what was happening during one Alonso’s April hot streak. Soto has scored 40 times this season, tied for 14th in the league.
- Some relief for the relievers. The Mets bullpen was on overdrive the with back-to-back extra-inning games Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday night Castillo and Stanek were able to close out the game for the Mets, giving everyone else a much needed day of rest. Edwin Díaz now has had two consecutive days off and after pitching three of four games before that. Díaz is in the 100th percentile this season in xBA (.155), 95th in xERA (2.31) and 99th in Whiff% (39.8%).
Let’s Go Mets!
