213 Miles From Shea

The 2020 Mets are the masters of flipping the switch. After a weekend of being just terrible, the Mets came out in a big way last night in a game that lasted nearly 4 hours. Gsellman labored through 1.2 innings to start, and then the bullpen took over. Shreve had a fantastic 2.1 innings with 5 strikeouts. And there was power! Robinson had two homers! Alonso had two homers!

Key for the Mets – can they keep it going?

David Peterson will try to make that reality tonight. In his first four starts and 21.2 innings he has a 2.91 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 1.154 WHIP and a 149 ERA+. He’s made one start against the Marlins back on August 8th where he allowed 2 runs over 5.0 innings from 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3. In that game Logan Forsythe got the better of Peterson with a homer and a walk. Peterson got the better of Villar, Brinson, Berti and Cervelli who were a combined went 0-10 against David.

Humberto Mejia will make the start against the Mets today, his only major league start came against the Mets on 8/7. Humberto skipped multiple levels of the minors to face the Mets 11 days ago, allowing 1 run from a homer over 2.1 innings in a game the Mets eventually lost. Dominic Smith hit the homer because he’s amazing. Anyway, for some reason the Marlins sent Mejia down after that start – and he’s back. To face the Mets again.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets looked pretty good last Wednesday and Thursday against the Nationals. Then they played the Phillies this weekend and just evaporated. Now 5 games below .500 they enter an interesting stretch of schedule. In the next 13 games, they play 7 games against the Marlins and 6 games against the Yankees. If there was ever a time to make noise, now is the time.

Robert Gsellman will make his second start of the season tonight, aiming to be somewhere between 45 and 55 pitches. On the season he has pitched 3.0 innings over three games and has allowed 3 runs from 5 hits and a homer while walking none and striking out 3. His last start, which last two innings, was the start of the Mets last two-game winning streak. In 7 games against the Marlins last year he pitched 9.0 innings allowing 3 runs from 11 hits and 2 homers. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Brian Anderson 3-6, 2B, 3B, HR, K
• Francisco Cervelli 1-1
• Logan Forsythe 1-3
• Matt Joyce 0-1, BB, K
• Jesus Aguilar 1-6, BB, 2 K
• Jonathan Villar 1-6, 2 K
• Lewis Brinson 1-6, 2 K
• Jon Berti 0-2

The Mets will get their first 2020 look at Jordan Yamamoto tonight who has allowed 8 runs in 7.1 innings in his first two starts of the year. In his first start against the Orioles, he allowed 4 runs over 4.0 innings, then he allowed 4 runs over 3.1 innings in Buffalo against the Blue Jays. The Marlins won both games though. Jordan made 15 starts in 2019 pitching 78.2 innings with a 4.46 ERA, 4.51 FIP, 1.144 WHIP and 96 ERA+. This includes two starts against the Mets where Jordan allowed 4 runs over 12.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 1-2, 2B, BB, K
• Michael Conforto 1-4, HR, 2 BB, K
• Pete Alonso 1-5, HR, 4 K
• Wilson Ramos 1-3, K
• Robinson Cano 0-1, BB
• J.D. Davis 1-6, 2 K
• Amed Rosario 0-3

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets absolutely need this game today. After a couple of good games against the Nationals at the end of the week, they’ve dropped the last two against the Phillies. Matz was cruising yesterday until the 5th inning when everything fell apart but the offense wasn’t doing him any favors. The bats stayed largely quiet until Dominic Smith hit a homer for a fourth day in a row, bringing him to 6 on the season. (The record for the Mets is five days in a row by Richard Hildalgo).

So the Mets will turn to Rick Porcello who is trying to change the narrative about his season. In his first four starts he has allowed 14 runs, 12 earned, over 19.0 innings which is a 5.68 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 1.632 WHIP and 76 ERA+. Over his last two starts though, both against the Nationals, he has allowed 3 runs over 13.0 innings, a 2.08 ERA. He hasn’t walked anyone and has struck out 9. In a weird scheduling quirk this year – his first two starts were against the Braves, then he had two against the Nationals. The pattern will end today. Rick has the following numbers against the Phillies:

• Rhys Hoskins 3-8, 2B, 2 HR, K
• Jay Bruce 2-8, 2B, HR, 2 BB, K
• Phil Gosselin 1-2
• Jean Segura 4-13, HR, 3 K
• Didi Gregorius 7-37, 2 2B,2 HR, 3 BB, 6 K
• JT Realmuto 2-8, BB, K
• Bryce Harper 1-11, HR, BB, 5 K
• Scott Kingery 2-5, 2 BB, K
• Andrew McCutchen 1-10, 2 BB, 4 K
• Neil Walker 1-14, 5 K

The Mets will face Zack Wheeler for the first time tonight. Zack Wheeler was acquired in a deadline deal for Carlos Beltran with the Giants in 2011. Despite injuries with the Mets, he became a key part of the rotation. The Mets (for some reason) didn’t pursue him in the off-season and he got a pay day with the Phillies. Personally, I’m going to find to it rough to root against him today.

He’s also been crushing it. In three starts he has pitched 18.2 innings, allowed 19 hits but only 7 runs (6 earned). He’s has a 2.89 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 1.268 WHIP and a 159 ERA+. A few of the newer Mets have seen him before in a major league game:

• Brian Dozier 1-8, HR, K
• Wilson Ramos 4-15, 2B, K
• Billy Hamilton 1-5, K

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was the 2020 Mets season encapsulated in the day. The Mets, coming off two straight wins with Jacob deGrom on the mound finally looked like they could build momentum this weekend in Philly. Then, hours before game time, deGrom was scratched due to neck issues.

Infinite Sadness.

Then the game starts and Walker Lockett is holding his own. Eventually the Mets take the lead. Then the Walker allows a three run homer and the Mets are behind. But these Mets are fighters and they tie it in the ninth – only to lose it in the bottom of the ninth. Mets lose. Momentum gone again.

So the Mets will try to make the best of the next two days, starting with Steven Matz. Matz has made 4 starts, totaling 18.2 innings where he has allowed 25 hits and 17 runs. Eight of those hits are homers. That’s also the league lead in homers allowed. I’m sure that won’t be on his mind at all while playing a homer happy ballpark in Philly tonight. He pitched 6 games and made 5 starts against the Phillies last year allowing 33 hits and 21 runs, 18 earned, over 21.2 innings (7.48 ERA). The Phillies have the following numbers against him:

• Jean Segura 7-13, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 2 K
• Didi Gregorius 6-14, 2B, 3B, BB, K
• Scott Kingery 6-17, 2 HR, 4 K
• Bryce Harper 9-27, 4 2B, HR, 3 BB, 5 K
• Rhys Hoskins 3-19, 3 HR, 5 BB, 2 K
• JT Realmuto 6-22, 2 2B, 2 BB, 4 K
• Andrew McCutchen 2-8, BB, 4 K
• Jay Bruce 0-5, 2 BB

The Mets bats draw Aaron Nola today, who is off to a good start in 2020. Over his first three starts, he has allowed 6 runs from 10 hits in 19.1 innings posting a 2.79 ERA, 2.41 FIP, 0.621 WHIP and 167 ERA+. Last year he led the league in starts (34) and batters faced (852) pitching 202.1 innings with a 3.87 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.265 WHIP and 114 ERA+. He made 4 starts against the Mets holding the Mets to 8 runs, 7 earned over 24.0 innings, a 2.63 ERA. The Mets have the following numbers against Aaron:

• Luis Guillorme 1-2
• Robinson Cano 3-8, 2B, BB
• Pete Alonso 3-11, HR, BB, 4 K
• Wilson Ramos 5-16, 2B, 2 BB, 5 K
• J.D. Davis 1-4, BB, 2 K
• Michael Conforto 5-29, 2B, HR, 4 BB, 11 K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-14, 7 BB, 6 K
• Dominic Smith 3-18, 2B, HR, 8 K

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was a big win for the Mets. After a torrid first two games against the Nationals, they won the last two, splitting the series and put themselves in position to change the narrative of the season depending on how this weekend goes.

Yesterday David Peterson continued to show a lot of grit, working out of a jam in the first inning and shutting down the Nationals for the rest of the game, lowering his ERA below 3.00. The bullpen was fantastic behind him. The bats also showed up featuring Tomas Nido who had a two homer day including a grand slam and Dominic Smith had his fourth homer on the year. There was a scary moment with Jeff McNeil running full speed into a wall to make an amazing catch. His X-rays came back negative.

So now the Mets will try to build some momentum behind tonight’s starter – Jacob deGrom. In four starts this season, deGrom has pitched 22.0 innings with a 2.45 ERA, 2.39 FIP, 0.955 WHIP and 174 ERA+. deGrom really fought through his last start. His pitch count ballooned early due to an issue with his finger. There was a stretch where he wouldn’t through his fastball but then pitched through his self-described “hot spot” on his finger. Amazingly, Jacob only made one start against the Phillies last year. He held them to 2 runs and 3 hits over 7.0 innings while striking out 10. The Phillies have the following numbers against deGrom:

• Andrew Knapp 2-6, 2B, 3B, BB, 3 K
• Bryce Harper 10-34, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 BB, 12 K
• Scott Kingery 1-7, HR, BB, 3 K
• Rhys Hoskins 3-13, 2B, 4 BB, 4 K
• Andrew McCutchen 4-17, BB, 6 K
• Neil Walker 4-22, 3 BB, 5 K
• Jean Segura 3-15, 3 K
• Didi Gregorius 3-15, 3 K
• J.T. Realmuto 4-25, 2B, 9 K
• Jay Bruce 0-6, 2 K

As of writing this, the Phillies still haven’t named an official starter for tonight, but with Vince Velasquez pitching last night, it looks like prospect Spencer Howard will be starting tonight. Spencer made his major league debut on August 9th pitching 4.2 innings, allowing 4 runs over 7 hits from 2 homers. Last season in the minors he made 15 starts and pitched 71.0 innings with a 2.03 ERA and 0.831 WHIP.

Let’s Go Mets!

I’ll admit it. When the alert came through on my phone last night that Gsellman had allowed a 3-run homer in the top of the first inning, I thought the game was over. For the first time in a while last night the Mets bats did not allow that homer to be the defining moment. Brandon Nimmo led the bottom of the first off with a homer and the Mets eventually scored 4 runs in the inning. At the end of the night, Nimmo and Alonso each had three hits, Conforto and Smith each had two hits and the Mets scored 11 runs.

Now the Mets, who slogged through the first two games of this series, have a chance to split the series. Also of note, today is one of the rare days the Mets have a day game, so no late night flights or bus rides on 95 tonight.

David Peterson will make his first career start against the Nationals this afternoon. Over his first three starts, he has pitched 16.2 innings allowing 7 runs from 16 hits and 6 walks while striking out 14 posting a 3.78 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 1.320 WHIP and 111 ERA+. In his last start he allowed 2 runs over 5.0 innings against the Marlins throwing 84 pitches. He’s thrown now 78, 87 and 84 pitches per game. The pregame hope is to get him a bit deeper into today’s game as the bullpen last night had to toss 7 innings.

The Mets bats will look to keep last night going against Austin Voth. Voth has allowed 3 runs, 2 earned from 6 hits and a walk in 10.0 innings over two starts this year. Last year he pitched in in 9 games and made 8 starts, totaling 43.2 innings with a 3.30 ERA, 3.79 FIP, 1.053 WHIP and 138 ERA+. His one relief outing in 2019 was against the Mets where he held the Mets scoreless over 2.1 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Michael Conforto 2-5, HR, BB, K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-6, 2B, 3 K
• Amed Rosario 1-5, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 0-1
• J.D. Davis 0-1, K
• Pete Alonso 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was another lackluster day for the New York Mets, and today is the day that has been a mystery on the calendar for about half a week now. Last night the Mets got a solid start by Porcello, allowing 2 runs in 6.0 innings, and then three innings of scoreless relief from Hughes and Diaz. When you get pitching like that, you have to win. The Mets were only able to plate one of their 7 hits and 3 walkers and just looked lost when they had runners in scoring position.

A few days ago the Mets added Michael Wacha to the Injured List with no clear person to start tonight’s game, which will be some version of a bullpen game. Robert Gsellman was named today’s starter and he’ll probably be followed at some point by Walker Lockett. Gsellman has seen action in one game this season, allowing 1 hit in his only inning of work. Last year he was in 52 games, pitching 63.2 innings with a 4.66 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 1.366 WHIP and 87 ERA+. He did not enjoy pitching against the Nationals last year – allowing 8 runs over 8.0 innings over 9 games. The Nationals have the following numbers against him:

• Yan Gomes 2-3
• Michael A Taylor 5-8, HR, 2 K
• Victor Robles 3-6, 2B, 3B
• Josh Harrison 3-5, 2B
• Juan Soto 1-3, 2B, BB, K
• Howie Kendrick 3-8, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Kurt Suzuki 4-12
• Adam Eaton 2-6, K
• Trea Turner 4-17, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Starlin Castro 0-5, K

Anibal Sanchez gets the start for the Nationals tonight. Over his first two starts Anibal has allowed 9 runs from 16 hits (4 homers!) and 4 walks in 10.1 innings while striking out 11. Last season he made 30 starts and logged 166.0 innings posting a 3.85 ERA, 4.44 FIP, 1.271 WHIP and 118 ERA+. Against the Mets he made three starts, pitching 11.1 innings, and allowed 10 runs from 16 hits (3 homers) while walking 5 and striking out 7. The Mets have the following numbers against Sanchez:

• J.D. Davis 4-7, 2B
• Pete Alonso 2-6, HR
• Wilson Ramos 8-22, 2 2B, 4 BB, K
• Brian Dozier 11-40, 2 2B, 3 HR, 3 BB, 8 K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-4, 2 BB, K
• Michael Conforto 2-14, HR, BB, 8 K
• Jeff McNeil 1-6, 2B, BB
• Amed Rosario 2-10, 2B, K
• Billy Hamilton 0-3, K

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was quite a reversal for both the Mets and the Nationals. The Nationals came into New York crushed by the Orioles and completely off the rails. The Mets woke up yesterday a team that looked like it was finally putting all the pieces together despite a mystery as to who was pitching on Wednesday. Then Stroman opted out of the season (a decision I support) and then last night’s game happened. Matz struggled. The bullpen struggled, the bats struggled. The Mets lost 16-4, more than doubling their negative run differential on the year. Doolittle also struggled, which is part of the reason the game was a bit closer.

But hey, Luis Guillorme tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

So now the Mets will try to get back on the right track with Rick Porcello. Through three starts this year, Porcello has allowed 12 runs, 10 earned, over 13.0 innings, a 6.92 ERA. Those numbers hide how good he was his last time out, and how bad he was before that. He allowed 1 run over 7.0 innings against the Nationals last week from 5 hits and 4 strikeouts. Before that he allowed 11 runs, 9 earned over 6.0 innings. Here’s hoping the Nationals haven’t figured Porcello out yet. The Nationals have the following numbers against him:

• Juan Soto 3-5, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Wilmer Difo 2-3, K
• Adam Eaton 7-18, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 2 BB, 4 K
• Yan Gomes 6-18, 3 2B, 2 K
• Kurt Suzuki 6-27, 2 2 B, 4 BB, K
• Starlin Castro 6-22, 2B, 3B, 4 K
• Howie Kendrick 1-=34, 3 2B, 9 K, 3 SB
• Asdrubal Cabrera 18-65, 3 2B, 3 BB, 10 K
• Josh Harrison 1-6, 2 K
• Treat Turner 0-6, K
• Michael Taylor 0-4, K
• Victor Robles 0-2

The Mets bats will get (probably) a real look at Max Scherzer tonight. He has allowed 5 runs over 13.2 innings in three starts this year. He allowed 4 runs over 12.2 innings before his last start last week against the Mets were he was dealing with a hamstring injury. He had the same injury his start before where he shutdown the Blue Jays for 7.1 innings but his injury last week flared up and he didn’t look like his normal self throughout the first inning. The Nationals were aware of this before the game and had another pitcher warming up with him at the start of the game. The Mets have the following numbers against Max:

• Luis Guillorme 2-3, 2B, K
• Michael Conforto 11-32, 2B, 4 HR, 3 BB, 13 K
• Billy Hamilton 3-9, 2 2B, 2 K, 2 SB
• J.D. Davis 2-6, 2B, 2 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-19, 2B, HR, 5 BB, 11 K
• Brian Dozier 3-17, HR, 4 BB, 7 K
• Jeff McNeil 2-10, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Amed Rosario 4-15, 2B, 7 K
• Wilson Ramos 4-17, 2B, K
• Pete Alonso 2-13, 8 K
• Dominic Smith 0-5, BB, 4 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets won a series and they’ve won 3 of their last 4 games! Friday night set up a familiar stage of disappointment this weekend for the New York Mets but they battled through the last two days. On Saturday, they powered through the Nationals with homers. Yesterday, deGrom rose above issues with his finger and the bullpen was able to close the door behind him.

And now the Mets get to welcome the Nationals to Queens. The Nationals have lost three games in a row and were on their way to getting swept by the Orioles when a bizarre situation on the field led to an even more bizarre situation in the box score. There was a sudden downpour in DC but the tarp was tangled up and couldn’t be unrolled in time. The field became unplayable and now the game is going to be finished in Baltimore. One game, two cities. Fascinating.

Steven Matz will look to keep up the good times in Flushing. He has a 5.65 over three starts and 14.1 innings this year allowing 9 runs on 17 hits and 3 walks. Homers have hurt him – he’s allowed 5 on the season so far. However, he hasn’t been bad in every start. He was great in his first start of the season, allowing 1 run over 6.0 innings. Then he allowed 3 over 5.1 innings. Last time out in DC he allowed 5 runs over 3.0 innings. The Nationals have the following numbers against him:

• Josh Harrison 5-10, 3B, 2 HR, 2 K
• Asdrubal Cabrera 2-4, 2B, K
• Juan Soto 6-13, 2B, 3B, 4 K
• Victor Robles 2-7, HR, BB, 2 K
• Starlin Castro 8-25, 2B, HR, 6 K
• Treat Turner 8-27, 3 2B, 2 BB, 2 K, 4 SB
• Howie Kendrick 4-15, HR, 3 K
• Adam Eaton 4-13, BB, 2 K
• Michael Taylor 4-23, HR, 2 BB, 13 K
• Yan Gomes 1-8, 2 BB, 3 K

Patrick Corbin will make his third start of the season today. In his first two starts he has allowed 4 runs from 10 hits and 1 walk in 12.0 innings while striking out 16 batters. His last start was against the Mets and it was an average start – he allowed 3 runs from 8 hits and a walk including a homer, while striking out 8 over 5.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Michael Conforto 8-22, 2B, 5 HR, BB, 6 K (1.428 OPS)
• J.D. Davis 6-20, 2 2B, 3 HR, 2 BB, 7 K
• Pete Alonso 5-17, 2 2B, HR, BB, 8 K
• Andres Gimenez 1-3, K
• Amed Rosario 3-22, 2B, 2 HR, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 4-15, BB, 8 K
• Billy Hamilton 3-14, 2 2B, 5 K
• Wilson Ramos 2-15, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 1-9, BB, 3 K
• Brian Dozier 0-6, 2 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets have a chance to take a series win today! After a lackluster Friday night, the Mets bounced back behind rookie David Peterson last night and the homers of J.D. Davis, Pete Alonso and Michael Conforto last night! For Pete Alonso – there are signs that he’s finally shaking off the slump he was in to start the year. For Michael Conforto, his third homer this year and all three have come against lefties, there are even more reasons to believe that he is the answer to all of life’s questions (that Jacob deGrom isn’t already the answer too).

Speaking of Jacob deGrom, he starts for the Mets today! In his first three starts of the year, deGrom has allowed 4 runs over 17.0 innings from 9 hits and 3 walks while striking out 22. He has a 2.12 ERA, 1.67 FIP, 0.706 WHIP and 188 ERA+. Jacob made an astounding 6 starts against the Marlins last season pitching 38.0 innings against them. He allowed 11 runs, 10 earned (2.37 ERA) from 30 hits and 7 walks and struck out 46 fish. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Jonathan Villar 2-5, 2B, BB, K
• Jon Berti 5-12, 3 2B, 2 K
• Jesus Aguilar 1-3, 2B, K
• Brian Anderson 7-25, 2 2B, HR, BB, 4 K
• Lewis Brinson 4-20, 2B, 8 K
• Logan Forsythe 0-3, 2 K
• Corey Dickerson 0-3, 2 K
• Matt Joyce 0-7, 5 K
• Francisco Cervelli 0-5, K

Pablo Lopez will become the first Marlins pitcher to make his second start of the season today. That’s how ridiculous this whole situation has been. His first start of the season was earlier in the week against the Orioles where he shut them out for 5.0 innings allowing only 2 hits and no walks while striking out 7. Last season he made 21 starts and pitched 111.1 innings allowing 111 hits with a 5.09 ERA, 4.28 FIP, 1.240 WHIP and 83 ERA+. In two starts against the Mets last year he allowed 10 runs over 10.0 innings from 11 hits and 3 homers while striking out 10. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Jeff McNeil 3-4, 2B, HR, BB
• Michael Conforto 3-5, HR, K
• J.D. Davis 2-3
• Amed Rosario 2-6, HR, BB, 2 K
• Brian Dozier 1-6, BB
• Wilson Ramos 1-5, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 0-4, BB
• Brandon Nimmo 0-6, BB, 2 K

Let’s Go Mets!