The Mets look to avoid being swept by the Guardians this afternoon. Vibes were good at the start of the game with the Mets scoring in the first and second inning. The Mets bats just went silent after that. At one point the Mets were barely hitting the ball out of the infield. The pitching staff kept the Mets in the game, but offense just felt lifeless.
With an off day tomorrow, it’s imperative for the Mets to change the vibes today. Let’s get some hits early, often and throughout the game today Mets!
David Peterson has been the rock in the Mets rotation. Over 21 starts he has tossed 127 innings (a career high) with a 2.83 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.236 WHIP and a 138 ERA+. He has pitched at least six innings in his last five starts totaling 31 2/3 innings with a 1.42 ERA (3.18 FIP). After the work load the Mets bullpen has had over the last week, they could use another one of those deep starts by Peterson this afternoon. No one on the Guardians has faced David Peterson in a major league game.
The Mets bats will try to find a spark against Gavin Williams this afternoon. Over 116 1/3 innings he has a 3.33 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 1.350 WHIP and a 125 ERA+. His WHIP is being dragged down by the 62 walks he’s allowed this season which leads the league. It’s a significant increase from last year, going from 3.8 BB/9 to 4.8 BB/9. That being said, Williams has been on a roll lately allowing only three runs over his last 19 innings (1.42 ERA, 2.27 FIP) and allowing only five walks while striking out 22. For the second straight day, only two Mets have faced the Guardians starter pitcher before:
- Cedric Mullins 0-2, 2 BB, K
- Juan Soto 1-5, HR, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Pete Alonso. The Mets are heading on the road after today’s game. It would be wonderful for Pete Alonso to tie (and break) the record for the most franchise home runs at home in front of Mets fans. He’s one homer away from Strawberry’s franchise leading 252 career homers. After a fairly deep slump, Alonso has been hitting the ball much better this week going 8-for-19 at the plate with a double and three home runs (.421/.435/.947).
- Walk this way. The New York Mets are sixth in the majors in working walks, earning 394 so far this season. Juan Soto is responsible for 22% of the total walks the team has earned. He has a league leading 87 walks this season, adding two more walks Tuesday night. This speaks a lot to the Mets approach overall this season that one player has 22% of the total amount of walks. Although Gavin Williams has been more accurately lately, the Mets should work counts today and see if they can get some free passes. Soto will! Will anyone else join him?
- Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo was a huge part of the Mets 12-6 win over the Giants last weekend going 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBI’s. Since then he has gone 1-for-13. He is hitless in nine trips to the plate over his last two games while racking up an uncharacteristically high six strikeouts. Nimmo has been one of the most consistent hitters for the Mets over the years, even as he has changed what type of hitter he is. He has recorded an OPS+ over 100 in nine consecutive seasons.
Let’s Go Mets!
