213 Miles From Shea

One step forward. One step backwards. One step forward. One step backwards.

For a good portion of the Mets season, immediately after the Mets take a step forward – they take a step backwards back into their previous situation but with less time. A few days ago the Mets won and put themselves 1.5 games out of the wild card spot. Then they lost. Then they won again and put themselves 1.5 games out of the wild card. Then they lost. That was yesterday.

So like two days ago (and four days ago) the Mets find themselves in a must win game except now there are even less games remaining for the Mets to back themselves into the playoffs. At least the Mets have exactly the pitcher they would want to go tonight in this position. Jacob deGrom makes his 11th start tonight, looking to bounce back from his early (injury induced) exit his last time out. Over 56.0 innings this year he has a 2.09 ERA, 2.01 FIP, 0.929 WHIP and a 205 ERA+. Jacob left his last start due to a hamstring spasm after 2.0 innings, allowing 3 earned runs, the most earned runs he has allowed in a start this year. The Rays have the following numbers against him:

• Willy Adames 1-3, HR, K
• Hunter Renfroe 3-9, 2B, 2 HR, 2 K
• Kevin Kiermaier 2-6, 2B, 2 K
• Manuel Margot 2-9, 3B, 2 K
• Brett Phillips 0-2, BB
• Joey Wendle 0-3
• Mike Zunino 0-5, 3 K

The Mets draw Pete Fairbanks who is having a terrific year for the first place Rays – as a reliever. Pete has pitched in 24 games and only start, totaling 23.0 innings with a 2.74 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 1.435 WHIP and 156 ERA+. His only start this year happened on the 16th where he allowed 1 hit over an inning and that was on purpose. He then pitched an inning the next day. He has not faced anyone on the Mets roster in an official game.

Let’s Go Mets!

Before yesterday’s game, things looked pretty bleak for the Mets. They got beat 15-2. How are they going to get their momentum back for the final push of games to back themselves into the playoffs? Well just about everything in baseball across the land broke right for the Mets and now they are 1.5 games out of the playoffs, again. The Mets still need to pretty much win out the rest of the year to secure a spot but 1.5 games out – a lot of opportunities open up.

Rick Porcello gets the start for the Mets today. On the season he’s pitched 49.0 innings over 10 starts with a 6.06 ERA, 3.11 FIP, 1.531 WHIP and 71 ERA+. After two average-ish starts, allowing 4 runs over 10.0 innings, he has pitched two starts giving up 9 runs in 10.0 innings from 16 hits. He had back to back starts to open the season against the Braves. The first one was terrible – allowing 7 runs, 6 earned in 2.0 innings. His next start was good, only by comparing it to his first start, where he allowed 4 runs, 3 earned over 4.0 innings. The Braves have the following numbers against Rick:

• Dansby Swanson 2-4, 2B, BB, K
• Travis d’Arnaud 4-9, HR, BB, SB
• Marcell Ozuna 2-4, 2B
• Freddie Freeman 6-14, 3 BB, 2 K
• Nick Markakis 11-30, 2B, HR, 5 BB, 2 K
• Adam Duvall 1-3
• Ozzie Albies 1-4, 2B, K
• Adeiny Hechavrarria 4-24, 2B, HR, 3 K
• Ronald Acuna Jr 1-8, 2B, K

The Mets bats draw Kyle Wright today who is making his 7th start of the season. In 25.0 innings this year, he has a 7.20 ERA, 7.12 FIP, 2.080 WHIP and 68 ERA+. In his last two starts he’s pitched 10.0 innings, allowing 9 runs, 8 earned, from 15 hits and 4 walks. His best start of the year, in terms of runs allowed, was against the Mets where he allowed no runs over 3.1 innings despite allowing 5 hits and 4 walks. He hasn’t allowed 0, 1 or 2 runs against anyone else this season. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Michael Conforto 2-3, 2B, HR, 3 BB, K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-3, HR, BB, K
• Dominic Smith 3-4, HR, BB
• Jeff McNeil 4-5, 2 2B
• Wilson Ramos 0-1, 2 BB, K
• Robinson Cano 1-5, 2B, K
• Amed Rosario 1-5, K
• J.D. Davis 0-2, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 0-1, K

Let’s Go Mets!

Last night was not good for the Mets. Matz came back from the rotation – imploded – and the game just became silly. The Mets have been able to manage some crazy comebacks against teams with weak bullpens, like the Phillies, but that was not possible last night. It took the Mets play off chances from around 27% down to around 12-13%. Just an all around bad night for the Mets.

So tonight they will be playing for their survival as every loss compounds and already complicated path to the playoffs. David Peterson will get the start for the Mets tonight. So far this season over 36.2 innings, he has a 4.17 ERA, 4.91 FIP, 1.309 WHIP and 103 ERA+. His last start was a good step forward in Buffalo, where he allowed 2 runs over 5.0 innings against the Blue Jays. His longest start of the season both in terms of innings and pitches thrown was against Atlanta. He allowed 3 runs from 5 hits in 6.0 innings from 87 pitches. In that game Adam Duvall went 2-2 with a double, Riley and Swanson both picked up hits too. Acuna, Hechavarria, d’Arnaud, Freeman and Ozuna went a combined 0-13.

The Mets bats draw Ian Anderson, who has been quite good in his first four major league starts. Over 22.0 innings he has a 1.64 ERA, 2.97 FIP, 0.909 WHIP and 298 ERA+. He’s coming off his longest and best outing of the year where he tossed 7 scoreless innings against the Nationals allowing 1 hit and 3 walks while striking out 9, tossing 99 pitches. This will be the first time the Mets face the rookie.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets improbable playoff push continues tonight as the Mets find themselves only 1.5 games out. Yesterday the Mets scored 3 runs in the first inning only to immediately give the lead back. At that point the game felt like it was off the rails. The Mets would tie the game in the 6th and then take the lead / break the game open in the ninth. They held on in the bottom of the ninth and here we are.

In a twist for the Mets this season – Steven Matz is back in the rotation! The contributions of Matz – Wacha – Porcello have not been great by any definition of the word great but I’d rather lose with Matz than either Wacha or Porcello. On the season Matz has pitched in 6 games and 24.0 innings with an 8.63 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, 6.73 FIP and 50 ERA+. His first start of the season was against the Braves and it was by far his best start as he allowed 1 run from 2 hits over 6.0 innings in a game the Mets eventually lost 5-3. The Braves have the following numbers against Matz:

• Ronald Acuna Jr 3-15, 3B, BB, 4 K
• Ozzie Albies 3-21, 2B, 4 K
• Adam Duvall 4-9, 2B, 3B, HR, BB, 3 K
• Tyler Flowers 2-17, 2B, 3 BB, 6 K
• Freddie Freeman 8-31, 2 2B, HR, 3 BB, 5 K
• Adeiny Hechavarria 2-11
• Ender Inciarte 3-9, 2B, BB, K
• Nick Markakis 3-20, 2B, 2 BB, 5 K
• Marcell Ozuna 5-20, 2B, 2 BB, 5 K
• Dansby Swanson 3-14, 2B, BB, 4 K

Max Fried has been having a terrific season with the Braves. In 9 starts and 50.0 innings he has a 1.98 ERA, 2.51 FIP, 1.060 WHIP and a 244 ERA+. THis is in large part due to homers – he hasn’t allowed any. In previous seasons he had a HR/9 of 1.0, 0.8 and 1.1. Now its 0.0. That being said, he’s been more human the last two outings, allowing 5 runs over 10.0 innings from 10 hits against the Red Sox and Nationals. He started his season off against the Mets allowing 2 runs over 5.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Luis Guillorme 1-2, 2B
• Brandon Nimmo 2-7, 2B, 2 BB, 3 K
• Wilson Ramos 3-9, 2B, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 5-13, 2 2B, 4 K
• Amed Rosario 6-17, 2B, 3B, K
• Robinson Cano 2-6
• J.D. Davis 4-14, BB, 4 K
• Pete Alonso 1-12, HR, 3 BB, 5 K
• Todd Frazier 4-15, 2B, 4 K
• Michael Conforto 2-14, 2B, 3 BB, 6 K

Let’s Go Mets!

For a good chunk of last night’s game – hope felt distant. The Mets were down early, deGrom left the game early with a hamstring issue, Wheeler was having a good night.

But the Mets fought back and held on to win! If you haven’t looked at Edwin Diaz’s Baseball Reference page you should go look. He dropped his ERA last night to 1.80 and in 20.0 innings of work he has struck out 42 batters. His FIP is 2.10, WHIP 1.250 and ERA+ at 242. The Mets needed him last night to be the closer and he delivered.

So the Mets are back in the race – but – every game is basically a must win. They are 2.5 games out of the wild cart and 4 games out of the automatic playoff berth in the division that the Phillies are also fighting for.

The Mets will look to gain ground tonight behind Seth Lugo who has made 4 starts now and on the season has pitched 27.1 innings with a 2.63 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 1.098 WHIP and 165 ERA+. His last start was his first average start of the season, allowing 3 runs over 5.1 innings to the Blue Jays, in a game the Mets eventually lost 3-2. He did toss 91 pitches in that game so he is fully stretched out for the final run of the season. His start before that was against the Phillies where he allowed 1 run over 5.0 innings. The Phillies have the following numbers against Seth Lugo:

• Jean Segura 5-11, 2B, 4 K
• Alec Bohm 1-2, K
• Scott Kingery 3-9, BB, 3 K
• Bryce Harper 5-18, 2B, 3 BB, K
• J.T. Realmuto 5-16, 2B, K
• Roman Quinn 2-6, 2 K
• Andrew McCutchen 1-6, BB, 2 K

The Mets bats draw Aaron Nola who is crushing it in this year. In 9 starts and 56.1 innings, he has a 2.40 ERA, 3.11 FIP, 0.888 WHIP and 193 ERA+. He is coming off a a 7-inning complete game shutout of the Marlins where he allowed 3 hits and struck out 10 (a 2020 special) which was a nice rebound from his previous start against the Mets. The Mets in that start scored 6 runs, 3 earned, from 8 hits in 5.1 innings (and also struck out 10 times). Earlier in the season, Nola shut the Mets out for 7.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Aaron:

• Andres Gimenez 1-2, K
• Pete Alonso 4-17, 2 HR, BB, 7 K
• Jeff McNeil 6-21, 2B, BB, 6 K
• Dominic Smith 6-24, 4 2B, HR, 10 K
• Wilson Ramos 5-19, 2B, 2 BB, 8 K
• Michael Conforto 7-35, 3 2B, 4 BB, 12 K
• J.D. Davis 2-9, 2 BB, 5 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-19, 8 BB, 8 K
• Amed Rosario 5-29, 2B, 9 K
• Todd Frazier 0-17, 2 BB, 4 K

Let’s Go Mets!

Time is just about up for the New York Mets. If they are going to make a playoff run, tonight is a must win game. Last night, things were going fine through the first three innings of the game and then Porcello allowed 2 runs in back to back innings. The Mets just couldn’t recover from that and despite racking up 11 hits, the only run they scored came on a solo homer from Brandon Nimmo. Not a good night for the Amazin’s.

But it’s Jacob deGrom day! Jacob has pitched 54.0 innings over 9 starts this year with a 1.67 ERA (league leading), 1.96 FIP, 0.870 WHIP, and a 259 ERA+. He also has a 13.2 K/9. In his last five starts he has allowed 4 earned runs over 32.0 innings, a 1.13 ERA while opponents have batted .157/.211/.252/.464 against him. This includes a start against the Phillies where he allowed 1 run over 7.0 innings from 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 12. The Phillies have the following numbers against Jacob:

• Andrew Knapp 3-8, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Bryce Harper 11-36, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 BB, 12 K
• Scott Kingery 1-8, HR, BB, 3 K
• Andrew McCutchen 4-20, BB, 7 K
• J.T. Realmuto 4-25, 2B, 9 K
• Jean Segura 3-18, 5 K
• Didi Gregorius 3-18, 4 K
• Alec Bohm 0-3, 3 K

The Mets get to face Zack Wheeler. Again. In 8 starts this season and 51.0 innings of work, Wheeler has a 2.47 ERA, 3.12 FIP, 1.098 WHIP and a 188 ERA+. The first time he faced the Mets, the Mets scored 2 runs off 6 hits in 7.0 innings. His last start was against the Mets and the hit him for 3 runs from 8 hits over 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Wheeler:

• Pete Alonso 1-2
• Robinson Cano 2-6, 2B, K
• Robinson Chirinos 1-9, HR, 4 K
• Michael Conforto 2-6, 2B, 3 K
• J.D. Davis 2-6, 2B, K
• Todd Frazier 0-2, K
• Andres Gimenez 2-5, 2B
• Wilson Ramos 5-17, 2B, K
• Dominic Smith 2-6, 2B, 2 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The big news for the Mets is this year came yesterday – with Steve Cohen finalizing his purchase of the Mets. With all the dreaming of the players the Mets could be in soon, or trying to figure out when the deal will be approved, it’s easy to forget the Mets have a game tonight. A game that follows a disappointing weekend in fake Buffalo.

If the Mets are going to make a playoff run, it’s now or never. The Mets start their last slate of the game of the season tonight against Philly in Philly, pretty much needing a sweep to get back into contention.

For the Mets, the game falls to Rick Porcello tonight, who will make his 10th start of the season. In 43.0 innings he has a 6.07 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 1.558 WHIP and a 71 ERA+. He’s coming off a rough start against the Orioles where he allowed 5 runs from 10 hits over 4.0 innings, raising his ERA from 5.54 to 6.07. He’s had two starts against the Phillies this year. The first was terrible – he allowed 4 runs over 6.0 innings from 10 hits in Philly. The next was fine – he allowed 2 runs off 3 hits in 6.0 innings in Queens – but the Mets lost that game too. The Phillies have the following numbers against Porcello:

• Rhys Hoskins 5-14, 2B, 2 HR, 2 K
• Alec Bohm 2-5, 2B
• Jean Segura 5-18, 3B, HR, BB, 6 K
• Phil Gosselin 1-3, BB, K
• Andrew McCutchen 3-14, HR, 2 BB, 5 K
• Bryce Harper 3-14, HR, BB, 5 K
• J.T. Realmuto 4-14, 2B, BB, K

The Mets bats will look to find the 18-1 winning version of themselves against Jake Arrieta who is 3-4 over 8 games and 39.0 innings this year posting a 5.54 ERA, 4.59 FIP, 1.487 WHIP and 84 ERA+. He’s coming off of an alright start against the Marlins where he allowed 3 runs over 5.2 innings from 5 hits. One of his best starts of the year was the start before against the Mets where he allowed 2 runs over 7.0 innings from 7 hits, a walk and 7 strikeouts. The Mets have the following numbers against Jake:

• Dominic Smith 2-5, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
• Andres Gimenez 2-3
• Jeff McNeil 13-23, HR, K
• Michael Conforto 6-22, 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 7 K
• Todd Frazier 9-31, 2B, 2 HR, 10 K
• Brandon Nimmo 4-13, 2B, 2 BB, 4 K
• Wilson Ramos 5-16, 2 BB,2 K
• Pete Alonso 5-16 – 2 K
• Amed Rosario 3-15, HR, K

Let’s Go Mets!

Sometimes you beat a team 18-1 and then you lose the next game 3-2. It’s not ideal, but it happens. And then you remember that every game is super important right now if the Mets want a shot at making the playoff’s.

That’s where the Mets are right now. Losing last night didn’t help their case at all. The Mets still need to be in the mindset of winning every night, which they’ll try do this afternoon in Buffalo. Also the Jets are playing Buffalo too. 2020 is weird.

David Peterson will pitch in his 8th game tonight. So far in 31.2 innings he has a 4.26 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 1.358 WHIP and 102 ERA+. He’s coming off of hsi worst start of the season, where he allowed 5 runs over 2.0 innings against the Phillies, in a game the Mets eventually lost 9-8 (this was the come back game but then the Phillies just squeezed ahead at the end). He has never faced the Jays before but thanks to some deadline deals he has faced one player – Jonathan Villar – who is 0-3 against Peterson.

The Mets draw one of the big off-season acquisitions for the Blue Jays – Hyun Jin Ryu. Ryu has pitched 48.0 innings over 9 starts with a 3.19 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.146 WHIP, 143 ERA+. He was the second best pitcher in the National League last year behind Jacob deGrom and his numbers were quite good. In 182.2 innings Ryu had a 2.32 ERA (league leading), 3.10 FIP, 1.007 WHIP, and a 179 ERA+ (league leading). An interesting development for him this season, his BB/9 has jumped from a league leading 1.2 to 2.6. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 2-3, K
• Robinson Cano 1-4, BB
• Jeff McNeil 1-6, 2B
• Pete Alonso 1-6, 2B
• Wilson Ramos 1-4, 2 K
• Amed Rosario 2-12, 3 K
• Todd Frazier 1-15, 2B, 2 BB, 6 K
• Michael Conforto 1-9, 4 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets made up for years of not providing deGrom with run support last night as they trounced the Blue Jays 18-1. It was the type of night that ended up being good for everyone’s stats. Conforto had his ninth homer of the season, Dominic Smith hit a grand slam, Ramos went 3-5 with two doubles and a homer, the Mets in total had 19 hits. Jacob lowered his ERA to 1.67. Ramirez got three shutout innings of relief in and gave the rest of the bullpen the night off. Just a good night for the Mets.

Now the Mets are only 3 games below .500 as they continue to push for a late post-season berth. It’s still an uphill battle as the Mets are 2.5 games behind the Phillies for the second NL East berth and 2 games out of the wild card.

Seth Lugo will look to keep the momentum going today. In 12 games, 3 starts, and 22.0 innings this year he has a 2.05 ERA, 2.96 FIP, 1.000 WHIP and 213 ERA+. As a starter he has pitched 11.2 innings with a 1.54 ERA. During that time opponents have hit .190/.261/.333/.594 against him. In his last outing, he reached 81 pitches and 5.0 innings as he continues to stretch out. Several members of the Blue Jays have faced him before:

• Travis Shaw 1-4, HR, K
• Randal Grichuk 1-4, 2B, K
• Joe Panik 2-7, BB
• Jonathan Villar 0-3, K
• Derek Fisher 0-2, 2 K

The Mets draw Robbie Ray, long time pitcher of the Diamondbacks who was traded to the Blue Jays at the deadline. On the season, Robbie has pitched in 9 games and made 8 starts, totaling 38.1 innings with a 7.51 ERA, 7.36 FIP, 1.983 WHIP and a 59 ERA+. As a Blue Jay – his time has been mixed. In debut was good, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned over 3.1 innings. Then he allowed 4 runs over 4.0 innings his next time out. The Mets have the following numbers against Ray:

• Pete Alonso 0-1, K
• Robinson Cano 5-9, HR, 2 K
• Michael Conforto 0-2, 2 K
• J.D. Davis 1-1
• Todd Frazier 1-4, HR, K
• Jake Marisnick 0-3, 2 K,
• Brandon Nimmo 1-2, HR, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets travel to Toronto Buffalo tonight as they take on the Buffalo Toronto Blue Jays! Just as a quick recap – Canada has taken the global pandemic much more seriously than the United States and it logistically it was going to be impossible to have the Blue Jays play in Toronto. The Blue Jays went through several different plans of splitting time time at other major league stadiums and ultimately had to settle with playing their games at their AAA site in Buffalo – which seemed like the best plan anyway compared to the Blue Jays going to their Spring Training site or any other city. But I digress.

The Mets are coming off an improbable comeback win against the Orioles. After being down early (and down often), the Mets slugged their way back into the game and played some of their best defense in recent memory. Now the Mets are 4 games under .500 in a rapidly concluding season. Can they pull this off?

Jacob deGrom will take the mound tonight. Over 8 starts and 48.0 innings he has a 1.69 ERA (league leading), 2.03 FIP, 0.875 WHIP, 256 ERA+ and a 13.1 K/9 rate (league leading). In his last four starts he has pitched 26.0 innings with a 1.04 ERA and opponents have hit .160/.210/.266/.476 against him. The Blue Jays have the following numbers against Jacob:

• Randal Grichuk 3-8, 2B, 2 HR, BB, 3 K
• Travis Shaw 3-8, 2B, 3 BB, 3 K
• Joe Panik 3-19, 2B, 3 BB, 5 K
• Jonathan Villar 2-12, 2B, BB, 6 K
• Caleb Joseph 0-3, 2 K

The Mets bats will try to keep their momentum against Chase Anderson who is in his first season with the Jays after four years with the Brewers. This year in 23.2 innings and 6 starts he has a 4.94 ERA, 4.91 FIP, 1.437 WHIP and 92 ERA+. He started against the Mets last April allowing 2 runs and 5 hits over 4.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 2-4, 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
• Robinson Cano 2-4, 2B
• Michael Conforto 2-11, 2 HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Jeff McNeil 1-3, 2B
• Amed Rosario 1-3
• Pete Alonso 0-2, BB, K
• Todd Frazier 1-12, BB, 4 K

Let’s Go Mets!