The Mets are now entering the most consequential stretch of games this season. The Mets have lost six straight games, including being swept by the Braves. They enter play today 15 games above .500 tied with the Phillies. Next on their schedule are three games against the Phillies followed by four more games against the Braves. A solid week, starting tonight, can quickly erase last week from our memories. A difficult week could turn this month into a June swoon.
The current Mets pitching situation is making things even more difficult for the Mets. The Mets had to burn Justin Hagenman Thursday night, who was slated to be the spot starter today. Luckily the Mets had a backup plan in Blade Tidwell.
Blade Tidwell made his major league debut about six weeks ago against the Cardinals on May 4th where he allowed six runs from nine hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings. Things have looked better for Tidwell in Syracuse where he has pitched 62 1/3 innings over 13 games (11 starts) with a 4.76 ERA, 1.267 WHIP. He is coming off of a rough start on June 15th where he allowed six runs from seven hits over 3 2/3 innings.
The Mets bats have been in bad place this week and the matchups haven’t done them any favors. In the last three games they have faced Spencer Schwellenbach, Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and now Zack Wheeler. Wheeler is having another tremendous season, pitching 88 innings with a 2.76 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 0.886 WHIP and a 151 ERA+. He’s allowed three runs, two earned over his last two starts (12 innings) while striking out 16 batters. Earlier this season he allowed two runs over six innings from five hits against the Mets. The Mets have the following career numbers against Wheeler:
- Luisangel Acuña 1-3
- Pete Alonso 10-40, 2 2B, 2 BB, 12 K
- Francisco Alvarez 0-4, BB, 2 K
- Brett Baty 4-10, HR, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 9-33, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 BB, 6 K
- Starling Marte 7-25, 2B, 3B, BB
- Ronny Mauricio 1-3, K
- Jeff McNeil 7-33, 2 BB, 8 K
- Brandon Nimmo 13-49, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 8 K
- Juan Soto 14-53, 2 2B, 3 HR, 14 BB, 15 K
- Tyrone Taylor 2-12
Three Things To Watch For:
- The Mets bats. The offense has has looked terrible this past week. Wednesday the Mets only got one hitter beyond first base. Thursday they went 1-for-8 with RISP and struck out an astounding 13 times. Five players struck out twice. The last time Wheeler faced the Mets he struck out 9 batters. The Mets just need to relax at the plate and remember their strengths.
- Doubles are a strength. Despite the Mets difficult time at the plate recently, they are still sixth in the league in doubles with Nimmo and Marte adding doubles Thursday night. They have 279 doubles on the season, just one behind the Blue Jays.
- Francisco Lindor. The Mets need their leader right now. He’s gone hitless in four consecutive games (0-for-14) with two walks and four strikeouts. Since breaking his pinky toe, He’s gone 9-for-44 with three extra-base hits (no home runs) and five walks, slashing .205/.286/.273. Lets hope he starts returning to his normal career numbers tonight!
Let’s Go Mets!
