213 Miles From Shea

Well, yesterday was rough. Jacob deGrom struggled for the first time in forever and the Braves beat the Phillies. The Mets enter play today with the Braves 1.5 games out and with one game in hand.

But the Mets have Max Scherzer on the mound. Over 21 starts and 133 2/3 innings this year, Max has a 2.15 ERA, 2.42 FIP, 0.883 WHIP and a 180 ERA+. Over his last three starts he has allowed two runs from seven hits and two walks in 18 innings of work while striking out an absurd 25 batters (1.00 ERA, 1.56 FIP).

Following the trend for basically every pitcher this weekend, Scherzer has not faced many members of this Athletics squad. Stephen Vogt is 1-6 with a strikeout against him and Cristian Pache is 0-2 with a strikeout. Max is a mystery to everyone else.

The Mets bats were able to make some noise early in the game yesterday and hopefully they can do that again today. Pete Alonso hit his 38th homer on the year, and now is knocking at the door of setting a Mets single season RBI record.

JP Sears will try to keep the Mets offense in check today. Sears, like yesterday’s starter Waldichuk, was traded from the Yankees to the Athletics at the deadline this year. Sears has pitched in 15 games, making 10 starts throwing 60 1/3 innings this season. He has a 3.58 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.260 WHIP and a 107 ERA+. As an Athletic, he has made eight starts tossing 38 1/3 innings with a 4.46 ERA, 5.20 FIP, 1.487 WHIP and a 85 ERA+.

Sears is coming off of a good start against the Mariners where he held them to one unearned run from one hit over five innings of work. In his two previous starts he allowed 11 earned runs from 15 hits over six innings. The only person the Mets roster who has seen Sears in a major league game is Tyler Naquin, who is 0-2 against him.

Let’s Go Mets!

What a night for the Mets! The Mets won! The Braves lost! The Mets enter play today with a 2.5 game lead in the division, which feels a lot better than the one game lead they’ve been nursing for the better part of the last couple of weeks.

Chris Bassitt pitched eight fantastic innings yesterday in his old stadium, giving everyone except Drew Smith the night off. The Mets offense was on fire collecting 13 hits including a grand slam by Eduardo Escobar.

Jacob deGrom is hoping the Mets offense saved some runs for his start tonight. Over nine games and 54 1/3 innings this year, deGrom has a 2.32 ERA, 1.36 FIP, 0.607 WHIP and a 168 ERA+. He’s coming off back to back starts of allowing three runs but his strikeout numbers have been through the roof – 23 over 11 innings. He’s allowed a homer in four of his last five starts, which has been his only weak point so far this season. Unsurprisingly, there are only two batters who have seen deGrom in an official game before. Stephen Vogt is 1-5 with a double and two strikeouts against deGrom and Tony Kemp is hitless in three at bats with a strikeout.

The Mets bats will get a look at Ken Waldichuk tonight, who was part of the package of prospects the Yankees sent to the Athletics this season for Frankie Montas. Waldichuk has made four starts in the majors this year, totaling 17 2/3 innings with a 7.13 ERA, 4.75 FIP, 1.585 WHIP and a 54 ERA+.

Waldichuk’s first start was fine – he allowed one run from five hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings. Since then he has allowed 13 runs from 16 hits and three walks over 13 innings including three homers. His last outing was his shortest one, last 2 2/3 innings, and only 52 pitches (82-93 pitches in his other starts).

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets head out to Oakland tonight to start a three game series with the Athletics!

The Mets are coming off of a four game sweep of the Pirates and a series win against the Brewers in Milwaukee. They also enter tonight’s game with a 1.5 game lead in the division, thanks to the Phillies beating the Braves last night 1-0.

Tonight is a homecoming game for Chris Bassitt. Chris was a member of the Athletics from 2015 through last season. On the Mets this season, Bassitt has made 28 starts and tossed 171 innings. His inning total is already a career high in a season for him, and tonight he’ll set a career high for game appearances in a season.

Chris has a 3.32 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 1.140 WHIP and a 117 ERA+. He had a rough start back on September 12th, allowing five runs from five hits over 3 2/3 against the Cubs and he rebounded nicely his time out holding the Pirates scoreless over six innings of work. There are only two batters on the Athletics who have actually faced off against Chris in a major league game (Stephen Vogt 0-8, K and Tony Kemp 1-4, BB).

The Mets bats will get a look at Cole Irvin tonight. Over 27 starts and 166 1/3 innings he has a 3.79 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 1.100 WHIP and a 99 ERA+. The thing about Cole is he gives up a lot of hits. This season he’s given up 150, which translates into 8.1 H/9. Least season he gave up a league high 195 hits, or a 9.8 H/9.

Cole is also in a rough stretch right now. In his last four games he has pitched 24 innings, allowing 21 runs, 20 earned, from 29 hits and seven walks (7.50 ERA, 5.73 FIP). Only two Mets on the current roster have seen Cole in a major league game (Darin Ruf 2-3, K and Jeff McNeil 1-1).

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets go for their second consecutive series sweep this afternoon as they take on the Brewers one last time during the regular season. The Brewers got ahead early last night but then the Mets struck back. In the 6th inning Alonso hit a three run bomb to cut the deficit to one run. In the 7th Lindor hit a grand slam to take the lead.

Meanwhile, the Braves were able to suppress a comeback from the Nationals so the Mets division lead heading into today remains at one game. The Braves will go to Philly next to play a four game set while the Mets get a day off before traveling to Oakland to take on the Athletics.

Taijuan Walker looks to lead the Mets to victory this afternoon. Over 26 starts and 142 innings this season Walker has a 3.42 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 1.176 WHIP and a 114 ERA+. He’s coming off of a deep outing against Pittsburgh where he pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, from five hits and no walks. Overall in his last two starts he’s allowed four runs, three earned in 14 1/3 innings of work while striking out 15 batters. The Brewers have the following career numbers against him:

• Andrew McCutchen 2-11, 2B, 5 K
• Alex Jackson 2-6, HR, 2 K
• Hunter Renfroe 1-6, 2B, 3 K
• Kolten Wong 1-5, K
• Christian Yelich 1-2, BB, K

The Mets bats will closeout their time in Milwaukee against Adrian Houser. Houser has pitched in 20 games (19 starts) this season with 94 2/3 innings of work, posting a 4.85 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 1.489 WHIP and an 82 ERA+. September started off great for Houser, allowing four runs but only two earned across two starts and 11 innings of work, dipping his season ERA from 5.02 to 4.61. Then he faced the Yankees his last time out. The Yankees scored five runs, four earned, off seven hits (no homers!) while recording four walks in three innings of work.

The Brewers will need Houser to go deeper into this game as the Mets have gotten into the Brewers bullpen earlier than expected each of the last two nights. Back in June when Houser started against the Mets, the Mets scored four runs off eight hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Tyler Naquin 6-9, 2B, 3B, HR, BB, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 2-3, BB
• Tomás Nido 0-4, K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-4, 2B, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-2, 2 BB
• Luis Guillorme 1-3
• Francisco Lindor 1-3
• James McCann 0-3, K
• Mark Canha 0-2, K
• Eduardo Escobar 0-1
• Jeff McNeil 1-2, 2B

Let’s Go Mets!

What a night for the New York Mets!

The Mets clinched their first playoff berth since 2016 last night behind a masterful performance by Max Scherzer. Max was perfect over his six innings of work and recorded his 200th win of his career. Milwaukee was packed with Mets fans and it was a special night watching the team have a subdued celebration locking in their playoff spot.

The Braves are still lurking right behind them though. Still only one game behind the Mets, putting the Mets into a “need to win” mode for another night.

Carlos Carrasco will look to lead the Mets to their sixth straight victory. He has started 26 games and pitched 141 innings with a 3.70 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 1.291 WHIP and a 105 ERA+ this season. In his last two starts he has pitched 12 innings allowing two runs (1.50 ERA, 0.77 FIP) from eight hits and two walks while striking out 17. The Brewers have the following career numbers against him:

• Omar Narvaez 3-13, 2B, 3 BB, 4 K
• Christian Yelich 3-15, 2B, BB, 9 K
• Willy Adames 5-7, HR, BB, K
• Kolten Wong 0-5, 2 BB, K
• Andrew McCutchen 1-6, 2B, 2 K
• Rowdy Tellez 3-5, 2 2B, BB, 2 K

The Mets bats look to continue their current run against lefty Aaron Ashby tonight. Ashby has pitched in 23 games, starting 17 of them this season, totaling 96 1/3 innings of work. Overall he has a 4.58 ERA, 4.05 FIP, 1.433 WHIP and an 87 ERA+. As a starter only he has pitched 81 2/3 innings with a 4.96 ERA and 1.494 WHIP.

This is Ashby’s first start since August 19th. In his last four starts he allowed 17 runs, 12 earned, over 20 1/3 innings (5.31 ERA, 4.93 FIP) from 19 hits and 10 walks while striking out 24. The Brewers placed him on the injured list in late July due to shoulder inflammation. It’s probable that he is on some sort of pitch count tonight which is important considering the Mets got to the Brewers bullpen earlier than expected in last night night’s game.

Ashby faced the Mets back in June and allowed four runs from four hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Daniel Vogelbach 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-2, K
• Pete Alonso 0-3, K
• Mark Canha 1-2, HR, BB, K
• Francisco Lindor 0-3, K
• Luis Guillorme 1-2
• Jeff McNeil 1-1, BB
• Tomás Nido 1-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets can clinch a playoff berth tonight with a win in Milwaukee!

The Mets are coming fresh off of a four game sweep of the Pirates and barreling full speed towards locking in their first playoff berth since the 2016 season. Despite sweeping the Pirates this weekend, they did not gain any separation in the division standings as the Braves swept the Phillies. The Braves also helped out the Brewers. The Brewers are now only two games out of the last Wild Card spot, chasing the Phillies.

Max Scherzer will kick the series off for the Mets tonight. Over 20 starts and 127 2/3 innings this season, Scherzer has a 2.26 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 0.924 WHIP and a 173 ERA+. Scherzer’s last start was against the Nationals on September 3rd where he held the Nationals to one run from three hits and a walk over five innings of work. He was cruising through the game, throwing only 67 pitches so we all knew something was wrong when he didn’t comeback out in the 6th inning. It was related to the same injury that caused him to miss time earlier in the year, and the Mets did the cautious, correct thing with shutting him down for an IL stint to make sure he is good to go for the final push.

The Brewers have the following career numbers against Scherzer:

• Andrew McCutchen 8-39, 3 2B, HR, 3 BB, 16 K
• Christian Yelich 10-32, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 2 BB, 9 K
• Jace Peterson 5-25, 2 2B, 3 BB, 11 K
• Kolten Wong 5-23, BB, 5 K
• Willy Adames 0-5, 4 K
• Rowdy Tellez 1-5, BB, K

The Mets start the series off facing last year’s Cy Young award winner, Corbin Burnes. Corbin has made 29 starts and pitched 179 innings this season with a 2.97 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 0.983 WHIP and a 134 ERA+. Since August 18th he has made six starts, tossing 36 innings allowing 24 runs, 21 earned from 36 hits include 6 homers (5.25 ERA, 4.16 FIP). He he faced the Mets earlier this season he allowed two runs from five hits (including a homer) over six innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 1-12, 8 K
• Pete Alonso 3-9, 2B, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 3-10, HR, K
• Tyler Naquin 3-8, BB
• Brandon Nimmo 5-9, 2B, 3B, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-6, HR
• Luis Guillorme 0-4, 2 K
• James McCann 0-4, 2 K
• Darin Ruf 0-2, BB< K
• Mark Canha 0-2
• Eduardo Escobar 0-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets go for the four game sweep of the Pirates this afternoon with Jacob deGrom on the mound! Last night, the Mets got a huge homerun early from Eduardo Escobar. After that Chris Bassitt cruised through the rest of his outing. Probably the most important development last night was David Peterson out of the bullpen. Peterson gave the Mets 2 1/3 innings of one run baseball. Going down the stretch of the season, an effective Peterson out of the pen would be a huge boon to this Mets squad.

Jacob deGrom has started eight games this season tossing 49 1/3 innings with a 2.01 ERA, 1.44 FIP, 0.588 WHIP and a 195 ERA+. In his last start, deGrom tied an MLB record with 39 consecutive starts with three earned runs or less. In that start he allowed three runs from five hits and no walks over six innings while striking out 10 batters against the Cubs.

The Pirates got to see deGrom in Pittsburgh earlier in September and it didn’t go well for the Pirates. Jacob held them to no runs from three hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out eight. The Pirates have the following career numbers against deGrom:

• Ben Gamel 1-6, 2 K
• Rodolfo Castro 0-3, K
• Oneil Cruz 1-3, K
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-3, 2 K
• Tucupita Marcano 0-3, K
• Bryan Reynolds 2-3

The Mets bats will close out this series against Johan Oviedo. Between the Cardinals and the Pirates this season, Oviedo has pitched in 17 games, making four starts over 35 innings with a 3.34 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 1.343 WHIP and a 120 ERA+. Since coming over to the Pirates he has only been used as a starter, making three starts pitching 9 2/3 innings with a 3.72 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 1.448 WHIP and a 117 ERA+.

Oviedo is coming off of his best start of the season where he shutout the Reds over five innings and holding them to only one hit. This was the completely opposite of his start against the Mets, which happened a few days prior. In that game the Mets recorded four runs from one hit because they drew five walks over 1 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Oviedo:

• Tyler Naquin 1-5, 2B, BB, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-7, K
• Pete Alonso 0-2, BB, 2 K
• Eduardo Escobar 1-4
• Jeff McNeil 0-3, K
• Tomás Nido 2-2, HR
• Brandon Nimmo 0-1, BB
• Mark Canha 0-0, BB
• Francisco Lindor 0-0, BB
• James McCann 0-0, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

Two in a row! Last night was the second night in a row that Daniel Vogelbach had a big important hit. The Braves had a comeback win of their own last night so they are still only one game behind the Mets.

Chris Bassitt looks to lead the Mets to a series victory against the Pirates this evening. Over 27 games and 165 innings, Bassitt has posted a 3.44 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.152 WHIP and a 114 ERA+. Bassitt is coming off of a rough start against the Cubs where he allowed five runs from five hits (two homers) over 3 2/3 innings. Before that start he was in the midst of a seven game stretch where he had a 1.75 ERA over 46 1/3 innings.

That seven game stretch included a fantastic start against the Pirates in Pittsburgh where he held the Pirates to one run from five hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out 10 batters. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Bassitt:

• Roberto Perez 3-8, K
• Michael Chavis 2-5, 2B, 2 K
• Bryan Reynolds 1-4, BB, K
• Oneil Cruz 1-2, K
• Greg Allen 1-3, 2B, 2 K
• Tucupita Marcano 0-3, K
• Rodolfo Castro 0-2, BB, K

The Mets bats will take on Bryse Wilson tonight. Over 21 games and 17 starts this season Wilson has pitched 94 innings with a 6.03 ERA, 5.24 FIP, 1.500 WHIP and a 70 ERA+. In his last six games he has pitched 28 innings with a 6.43 ERA (5.68 FIP) from allowing 21 runs, 20 earned off of 35 hits and six walks. This includes a start against the Mets where the Mets were able to score four runs from seven hits and no walk (two homers) over six innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Wilson:

• Eduardo Escobar 2-7, HR, 2 BB, K
• Tyler Naquin 3-6, 2 HR, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 1-5
• Jeff McNeil 1-5
• Brandon Nimmo 1-4, BB, K
• Mark Canha 0-2
• Francisco Lindor 0-3
• Tomás Nido 1-3, 2B, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-2
• James McCann 1-1

Let’s Go Mets!

The New York Mets are back!

The Mets took the series opener 7-1 last night against the Pirates behind good pitching and good hitting. Now the Mets are looking to string together a few wins in a row to keep chipping away at their magic number for the playoffs.

Tonight’s start is a bit of revenge start of sorts for Taijuan Walker. This season Walker has made 25 starts totaling 134 2/3 innings with a 3.48 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 1.203 WHIP and a 112 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a strong start against the Marlins where he held Miami to one run over seven innings from five hits and no walks while striking out 10.

Before that start Walker faced the Pirates in Pittsburgh. He did better than last year but still it wasn’t great. He allowed four runs from six hits and two walks over five innings. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Walker:

• Bryan Reynolds 2-6, BB
• Ben Gamel 1-3, 3 BB
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-5, K
• Kevin Newman 2-4, BB
• Michael Chavis 1-3
• Oneil Crus 2-3, 2B

The Mets bats draw Mitch Keller tonight. Over 27 games, 25 starts this season, Keller has tossed 137 innings with a 4.01 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.409 WHIP and a 105 ERA+. Keller has been on a role over his three starts, allowing only two runs in 19 innings from 11 hits and seven walks while striking out 18 batters (0.95 ERA, 3.16 FIP). Before he was on this run, he allowed 15 runs, 9 earned, over three starts and 11 innings (7.36 ERA, 4.57 FIP).

The Mets faced him at the beginning of the month and he shut the Mets out over six innings, scattering five hits and two walks. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Tyler Naquin 4-10, 3 2B, 4 K
• Francisco Lindor 1-2, 4 BB
• Pete Alonso 0-3
• Jeff McNeil 0-3
• Brandon Nimmo 0-2
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-2, BB, K
• Mark Canha 1-2, K
• Eduardo Escobar 1-2
• James McCann 1-2
• Darin Ruf 0-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The roughest game preview articles to write follow inexplicable losses. The Mets on paper should not be swept by the Cubs. But it happened. Last night the Mets starting pitching faltered early and the bullpen was able to bail the Mets out. The offense, for the most part, was ice cold again. It’s been a theme this week.

It’s Roberto Clemente Day across the league today and the Mets welcome the Pirates to Queens. The Pirates should be the focus on Clemente Day, I don’t understand how they can be on the road today, but I digress. Earlier this month the Mets swept both games of a doubleheader against the Pirates after dropping the series Opener. The Mets will look to channel that same energy from the doubleheader tonight as they open the four game series.

Carlos Carrasco, the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award winner, gets the start for the Mets. Over 25 games and 135 innings, Carrasco has posted a 3.80 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.304 WHIP and a 103 ERA+. He has made two starts since retuning from the injured list. His first start was forgettable – allowing five runs, one earned, over 2 2/3 innings. Last time out he held the Marlins to one run from four hits and no walks in six innings of work. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Carrasco:

• Ben Gamel 5-8, 2 2B, HR
• Bryan Reynolds 0-4
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-2, BB
• Kevin Newman 1-2, 2B, BB

The Mets bats will get a look at JT Brubaker tonight. Over 26 starts and 138 1/3 innings of work, Brubaker has a 4.36 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 1.424 WHIP and a 96 ERA+. Over his last three games he has pitched 18 innings allowing 12 runs, 11 earned, from 20 hits and five walks (5.50 ERA). If we expand the scope, it’s not that much better. In his last seven games he has allowed 24 runs, 23 earned, over 38 1/3 innings, a 5.40 ERA. The Mets have the following career numbers against Brubaker:

• Tyler Naquin 1-13, 2B, 3 BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 0-5, 3 BB, K
• Pete Alonso 2-6, HR, K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-3, 2B, 3 BB, K
• James McCann 3-4, 2 HR, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-5, 2 K
• Dominic Smith 2-5, 2 K
• Darin Ruf 1-1, BB
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-1, K

Let’s Go Mets!