Two steps forward, one step back for the Mets right now.
Going into Friday’s game, the Mets were coming off two consecutive wins against the Braves and getting Mark Vientos back from the injured list. Then the Mets struggled in just about everyway way Friday night. They only scored one run on a solo shot by Juan Soto while going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. David Peterson struggled for the first time in a long time, and Tidwell allowed too many runs behind him. The only silver lining was that Blade Tidwell pitched 3 1/3 innings, saving the bullpen for the rest of the weekend.
That was yesterday and today is a new day to get back in the win column!
The Mets need Paul Blackburn more than ever now with the news on Friday that Griffin Canning ruptured his achilles. Blackburn has pitched 17 2/3 innings with a 6.62 ERA, 4.44 FIP, 1.755 WHIP and a 58 ERA+. He allowed three runs from six hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings in his last start. He seemed better, getting five strikeouts (a season high) and didn’t allow four runs (we have a different bar for Blackburn) and hopefully that gives him something to build on tonight. There are only two players on the Pirates who have seen Blackburn in a major league game:
- Adam Frazier 1-7, 2B, 2 K
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa 1-2
Bailey Falter has pitched 85 1/3 innings over 16 starts with a 3.59 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 1.184 WHIP and a 119 ERA+. Falter was dominant in May allowing only four runs over 35 2/3 innings (0.76 ERA), including four starts where he allowed no runs. June has been a different story. He’s allowed 11 runs over 19 1/3 innings from 21 hits and 9 walks (5.12 ERA, 5.46 FIP). He faced the Mets back in May. He held the Mets scoreless but allowed three hits and five walks in just 3 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career stats against Falter:
- Pete Alonso 1-10, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
- Brett Baty 0-2
- Francisco Lindor 3-10, 5 BB, K
- Starling Marte 2-9, HR, BB, 2 K
- Jeff McNeil 1-8, 2 K
- Brandon Nimmo 6-14, HR, BB, 4 K
- Juan Soto 3-9
- Tyrone Taylor 3-9, 2B, 2 K
- Luis Torrens 2-5, K
- Mark Vientos 1-5, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Juan Soto. The Mets bats may be collectively struggling, but don’t blame Juan Soto. Over his last seven games he has gone 9-for-22 with six home runs, a stolen base and five walks (.409/.519/1.227). He is now on track to hit a similar amount of home runs as last year. He’s still leading the league in walks and he’s still on track to smash his career best for stolen bases (currently has 9, career best is 12).
- Brett Baty. You know who has a five game hitting streak? Brett Baty. Over the last five games he has gone 8-for-18 at the plate with three games where he has collected two hits. Friday night Baty went 2-for-4 with two doubles. To put this in perspective, over the first 16 games in June, Baty only had six hits in 58 trips to the plate.
- The Bullpen. Blade Tidwell saved the bullpen that had to cover 6 1/3 innings on Thursday after Canning’s injury. Reed Garrett and Huascar Brazobán haven’t pitched since Tuesday and will probably first up for the Mets this afternoon.
Let’s Go Mets!
