Tuesday was a new low point for the Mets. The Mets had the lead most of the afternoon in the first game. In the 8th they made a series of defensive miscues to allow one run. In the 9th they allowed the Dodgers to tie it and then left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Then the Mets self-destructed in the 10th. This felt like Saturday’s game all over again. The Mets bats just disappeared after the game as the Dodgers made quick work of the Mets in the second game.
Now the Mets are 10 games below .500 and trying to avoid being swept, again.
David Peterson returns for the Mets this afternoon! Peterson had hip surgery near the start of November and has been working his way back since. In 2023 he pitched in 27 games for the Mets including 21 starts totaling 111 innings with a 5.03 ERA, 4.34 FIP, 1.568 WHIP and an 82 ERA+. Over six rehab starts spread across three levels in 2024, Peterson has a 1.14 ERA over 23 2/3 innings with 35 strikeouts.
Peterson faced the Dodgers twice last season. He had a fairly terrible start against the Dodgers allowing six runs over six innings from seven hits and no walks. Then in relief he allowed one run from two hits over an inning. The Dodgers have the following numbers against Peterson:
- Austin Barnes 0-1, BB, K
- Mookie Betters 2-5, 2B, K
- Freddie Freeman 5-15, 2 HR, BB, 5 K
- Kiké Hernández 1-3, 2B, K
- Teoscar Hernández 2-2, HR
- Jason Heyward 0-3
- Gavin Lux 0-1, BB
- Shohei Ohtani 1-4, K
- Miguel Rojas 6-12, 2 2B, HR, K
- Chris Taylor 0-5, 3 K
- Miguel Vargas 0-3
The Mets bats look to end the series with a boom against James Paxton. Over nine games (49 innings) he has a 3.49 ERA, 5.65 FIP, 1.429 WHIP and a 115 ERA+. Paxton is coming off two rough games where he allowed eight runs over 10 2/3 seasons from 12 hits and four homers. Paxton had one start against the Mets last year where he allowed three runs, two earned over six innings while striking out seven batters. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Pete Alonso 2-6, 2B, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
- Brett Baty 0-2
- Francisco Lindor 3-14, 2B, BB, 5 K
- Starling Marte 1-2, K
- J.D. Martinez 10-22, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 4 K
- Jeff McNeil 4-7, 2B
- Brandon Nimmo 0-3, 2 K
- DJ Stewart 0-1, BB
- Mark Vientos 0-2
Three Things To Watch For:
- Mets with good numbers against Paxton. Jeff McNeil is 1-for-13 over his last four games, slashing .077/.200/.154. J.D. Martinez is 3-for-21 over his last five games with a homer and 12 strikeouts (.143/.182/.286). Both have great career numbers against Paxton as seen above. This is a great opportunity for both players to break out of whatever is propelling the slump.
- The Mets bullpen is tired. The bullpen got Sunday and Monday off, but needed to put a lot of work in yesterday. Only Sean Reid-Foley and Edwin Díaz haven’t been used over the last several days, but both pitchers played a role in Saturday’s heart-wrenching loss. Houser is in an interesting position because he pitched four innings on Sunday but threw only 44 pitches.
- The Vibes. Things are pretty bad on the Mets right now. After the first game yesterday the Mets looked liked they were sapped of personality and hope in the nightcap. How do they come out in today’s game? Do work at bats? They take wild cuts at swings? The Mets approach will give us a clue on how today’s game is going to go.
Let’s Go Mets!
