It has been a rough gauntlet for the Mets for the last eight days and they have not stepped up to the challenge. The Phillies beat the Mets Friday night extending their losing streak to seven games. The Mets were facing another tough starting pitcher in Zack Wheeler and had a chance in the first inning loading the bases, but grounded into a double play to end the inning without scoring runs. From that point on Wheeler looked like Wheeler and just mowed through the Mets lineup.
The Mets hit back-to-back solo homers off Taijuan Walker to tie the game, but then the Mets bullpen completely felly apart and the Mets lost 10-2. They just need to win one game to get back on the right track.
Griffin Canning has pitched 68 2/3 innings this season with a 3.80 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 1.398 WHIP and a 101 ERA+. He’s coming off of a rough start against the Rays where he allowed six runs from four hits and five walks over 4 1/3 innings. In total he’s allowed 10 runs over his last two starts. He was great though against the Phillies earlier this season holding them to only one run from seven hits and a walk over five innings. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:
- Alec Bohm 2-5, K
- Nick Castellanos 2-11, 2B, 3B, 2 K
- Max Kepler 2-3, 2B, BB, K
- Brandon Marsh 0-0, BB
- J.T. Realmuto 1-2, 2B
- Johan Rojas 1-3, BB, K
- Kyle Schwarber 2-5, BB
- Bryson Stott 2-5
- Trea Turner 1-5, K
The Mets bats will try to break out of their funk against rookie right-hander Mick Abel. The former top-100 prospect is off to a good start, pitching 20 1/3 innings over four games with a 2.21 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 1.033 WHIP and a 194 ERA+. In three of his four starts he has allowed zero or one runs. The other start was against the Cubs, the best offense he has faced so far, where he allowed three solo home runs. Abel has not thrown beyond 89 pitches yet in a major league game this season, and has gone any where between four and six innings of work.
Three Things To Watch For:
- Flash some power. There was a modicum of hope Friday night when Alonso and McNeil both homered. The Mets love hitting homers in Philly. Abel has been hit hard, at home when facing a lineup with some pop. Start the game with a bang and get the momentum again Mets!
- Francisco Lindor. Speaking of starting the game with a bang, the Mets need Lindor to be Lindor. His hitless streak stretched to a fifth game Friday night. He has now gone 0-for-18 with two walks in his last five games and is slashing .188/.264/.250 since breaking his pinky toe.
- Brett Baty. From May 9th to May 31st Baty played in 20 games slashing .310/.355/.621 collecting 18 hits in 62 trips to the plate including five home runs. June has not been as kind to Baty. Over 15 games he has gone .125/.189/.250 with only six hits in 53 plate appearances (including two home runs). The Mets need May Baty back!
Let’s Go Mets!
