I’ll admit it, I thought Friday night’s game was over when Bobby Witt Jr. hit a homerun in the seventh inning. The Mets were holding onto a 1-0 lead going into the sixth inning. At that point it felt like the Mets were going to fall apart at the plate, just like on Thursday.
The Mets got the bases loaded in the 8th inning and Mark Vientos came through for the Mets with a bases clearing double. At that point it was like something was lifted from the Mets team and they started swinging again how they were earlier in the season. They put up four more runs in the 9th inning thanks to back-to-back homers by Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. Now the Mets look to keep that momentum going this afternoon and take the series from the Royals!
Frankie Montas has allowed 10 runs over 14 2/3 innings over three starts (6.14 ERA, 5.81 FIP, 1.295 WHIP, 64 ERA+). Last week against the Yankees he allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings, better than his previous start where he allowed six runs over four innings. Home runs have been an issue for Montas this season, allowing four so far. Luckily, Kauffman Stadium is one of the more difficult stadiums in the league for home runs (the caveat being that Montas allowed two home runs at PNC, which is even lower on the list than Kauffman). The Royals have the following career numbers against Montas:
- Kyle Isbel 1-4, 2B, BB
- Luke Maile 1-3, K
- Salvador Perez 3-14, 2B, HR, 3 K
- Bobby Witt Jr. 1-4, 2 K
The Mets batters will try to keep Friday night’s vibes going against Michael Lorenzen. Over 18 starts (99 2/3 innings) Lorenzen has a 4.61 ERA, 4.53 FIP, 1.304 WHIP and an 89 ERA+. Lorenzen is coming off of a strong start against the Diamondbacks holding them scoreless over seven innings. Before that he allowed seven runs over 10 1/3 innings from 14 hits and three home runs. Lorenzen faced the Mets last year as a member of the Rangers before he was traded to the Royals. He allowed three runs from four hits including two home runs over six innings. The Mets have the following career stats against Lorenzen:
- Pete Alonso 2-11, 2 BB, K
- Brett Baty 0-3
- Francisco Lindor 3-15, K
- Ronny Mauricio 0-2, 2 K
- Jeff McNeil 0-8, 3 BB
- Brandon Nimmo 2-13, 2B, HR, K
- Juan Soto 1-10, K
- Tyrone Taylor 0-0, BB
- Mark Vientos 2-2, HR
Three Things To Watch For:
- Mark Vientos. Mark Vientos has had a rough season so far, especially compared to 2024. Over 64 games this year he has slashed .217/.275/.350 with an 80 OPS+. This is all down from a .266/.322/.516 and a 136 OPS+ over 111 games last season. Friday night’s bases clearing double felt like a release. Over the last three games he has two multi-hit games and two doubles – let’s hope this is the start of a Vientos hot streak!
- Francisco Lindor. Francisco Lindor is on a six game hitting streak going 8-for-23 with nine runs scored, two doubles, two home runs and four walks (.464 OBP!). He also has eight RBI’s over the stretch. Lindor continues to be heart of the Mets’ Fab Four and the offense as a whole. His next homerun will be his 20th of the season, reaching that mark for a fifth consecutive season and the eighth time in his career.
- Edwin Díaz. Díaz has gotten a few days off in a row, last pitching on Tuesday, so he’s ready to go if needed. The three-time All-Star is in the midst of another excellent season for the Mets posting a 1.75 ERA, 220 ERA+ over 36 games this season. He’s on pace right now to surpass 250 saves at some point this season (currently at 243 saves).
Let’s Go Mets!
