213 Miles From Shea

The Mets offense was on fire last Wednesday. It was on fire Saturday and Sunday over the weekend. It seems the Mets have returned home without their offense. The Mets dropped their second game in a row to the Cubs last night, behind lackluster hitting. The Braves won last night, bringing them to only half a game out of first place.

Today the Braves will play before the Mets game even happens. There’s a possibility the Mets and Braves will be tied for the division lead again by first pitch (or the possibility the Braves will be back to a full game back).

Whatever happens with the Braves, the Mets need to win tonight’s game. For several days there was a debate about whether Trevor Williams or David Peterson should start tonight’s game. The argument was that Peterson could use an opportunity to be added to the bullpen and pitch against lefties. It seems like that plan will have to wait as he has been penciled in as tonight’s starter.

David Peterson has pitched in 22 games this season, making 18 starts and totaling 98 2/3 innings. He has posted a 3.47 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 1.328 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. He’s coming off of a not so great start against the Marlins, where he allowed three runs from five hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings. He held the Cubs back in July to one unearned run from three hits and tree walks over five innings. The Cubs have the following career numbers against him:

• Wilson Contreras 1-8, 3 K
• Ian Happ 1-6, 4 K
• Yan Gomes 1-5
• Patrick Wisdom 0-2, 2 BB, K
• Christopher Morel 0-2, BB
• Jason Heyward 0-2
• Seiya Suzuki 0-1, BB

The Mets bats will get a look at Drew Smyly tonight. Over 20 starts and 98 1/3 innings this season, Smyly has a 3.57 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.200 WHIP and a 118 ERA+. His two starts in August have been very different. He kicked off the month with a 2 1/3 inning outing against the Cardinals where he allowed seven run from five hits. Last time out he allowed only one unearned run over seven innings against the Giants. Since August he has allowed 10 earned runs over 39 1/3 innings, seven of those runs happened in one game.

He faced the Mets back in July and allowed two runs, one earned over 4 1/3 innings from five hits and a walk. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Starling Marte 4-15, 2 2B, 3 K
• Eduardo Escobar 7-12, 2B, 4 HR, 2 BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 4-13, 2B, BB, 2 K
• James McCann 6-12, 2 HR, BB, 3 K
• Mark Canha 1-9, BB, 3 K
• Pete Alonso 3-9, 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 2-8
• Brandon Nimmo 3-7, 2B, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-4, BB, K
• Darin Ruf 0-2, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets lost a frustrating game against the Cubs last night 5-2. At multiple points last night the Mets were able to load up the bases, but then couldn’t take advantage of those situations. Luckily, the Braves lost last night 3-2 against the Giants, extended their losing streak to three games and keeping them 1.5 games back in the standings. That being said, the Mets really do need to win today.

The Mets will turn to Jacob deGrom to make that win happen. Over 43 1/3 innings this season, deGrom has a 1.66 ERA, 1.39 FIP, 0.554 WHIP and a 237 ERA+. Over his last three starts he has allowed only two runs in 20 innings on the mound while scattering nine hits and and two walks. Both runs have come on solo homers. Jacob faced the Cubs last year, pitching three perfect innings with eight strikeouts and then had to leave the game early due to injury. The Cubs have the following career numbers against deGrom:

• Jason Heyward 9-27, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Willson Contreras 0-7, BB, 3 K
• Yan Gomes 3-7, 2 K
• Rafael Ortega 1-6, BB, 3 K
• Franmil Reyes 0-6, 3 K
• Patrick Wisdom 0-1, K

The Mets bats will face off tonight against Adrian Sampson. He has pitched in 16 games, including 14 starts this year totaling 76 2/3 innings with a 3.76 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.291 WHUP and a 112 ERA+. Over his last three starts he has allowed four runs over 14 1/3 innings from 14 hits and three walks. Sampson held the Mets this season to two runs from six hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Mark Canha 3-11, 2B, 2 HR, BB, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 3-12, 2 K
• Tyler Naquin 4-7, HR
• Eduardo Escobar 1-5, 2B, BB
• Francisco Lindor 1-5, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 1-3, K
• James McCann 2-3, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-3
• Brandon Nimmo 1-2, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets weekend started off with losing first place to the Atlanta Braves. Since then the Mets have won both of their games and the Braves have lost both of their games – giving the Mets a 1.5 game lead in the division.

The Mets offense clicked again last night, scoring nine runs against the Marlins. For the Mets, who are fully in control of their own destiny again, the most important thing is to just win every game. Keep growing that separation between them and the Braves. Tonight the Mets will attempt to do that against the Chicago Cubs.

Chris Bassitt takes the mound tonight. Over 26 games and 161 1/3 innings this season, Bassitt has a 3.24 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 1.134 WHIP and a 121 ERA+. In his two September starts he has allowed a total of three runs over 13 innings from 11 hits and four walks while striking out 14 batters. He missed the Cubs when the Mets went to Chicago earlier in the season and the Cubs batters have the following career numbers against him:

• Zach McKinstry 1-6, HR, 2 K
• Franmil Reyes 0-6, 3 K
• Yan Gomes 0-3, K
• Jason Heyward 0-3, 2 K

The Mets bats will get a look at rookie Javier Assad this evening. Over four games and three starts he has pitched 15 1/3 innings with a 2.93 ERA, 4.62 FIP, 1.435 WHIP and a 145 ERA+. He’s coming off of the only start where he has allowed runs. Last week against the Reds he allowed four runs from five hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings against the Reds. In each of his starts this season he has reached 80 pitches with the highest amount thrown being 89. But only once has he pitched into 6th inning. If the Mets can drive up his pitch count and knock him out early, it would be a good opportunity to get into the Cubs bullpen the first game in this series.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets are back in first place! The Mets offense exploded last night with an eight run inning leading to an 11-3 win over the Marlins. A few hours later the Mariners beat the Braves and now the Mets are in control of their own destiny again.

Until the Mets get a little more separation in the division, every game is a must win. Before yesterday’s game, the Mets announced they were finally placing Starling Marte on the injured list and calling up another top prospect – Mark Vientos. Vientos is a top prospect in the Mets system, can play the corners in the infield and most importantly, can hit. Vientos was slashing .280/.358/.519 over 427 plate appearances for Syracuse before his call up, a league where he was 4.3 years younger than the average player.

Taijuan Walker gets the start today. Over 24 starts, 127 2/3 innings this season, Walker has a 3.60 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 1.230 WHIP and a 109 ERA+. His last time out wasn’t great – he allowed four runs from six hits and two walks over five innings against the Pirates. Hopefully Walker can move all of that behind him as he takes on the Marlins for the fifth time this season. Over his first four games he allowed seven runs from 20 hits and six walks over 25 1/3 innings (2.49 ERA). The Marlins have the following career numbers against Walker:

• Miguel Rojas 3-20, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 5-14, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Avisail Garcia 2-15, 2B, 7 K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-13, 2 BB, 4 K
• Brian Anderson 3-13, 5 K
• Garrett Cooper 1-8, BB, 3 K
• Joey Wendle 1-8, 2B, K
• Jacob Stallings 2-7, K

The Mets bats take on Jesus Luzardo this afternoon. Luzardo has pitched 13 games tossing 72 1/3 innings with a 3.36 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 1.023 WHIP and a 121 ERA+. Luzardo is coming off of a strong start against the Phillies where he allowed two runs, four hits, over seven innings of work. He’s missed the Mets completely this season so far but faced the Mets twice last season. Over two games he allowed five runs from six hits and seven walks over 10 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 2-6, HR, 2 K
• Eduardo Escobar 1-5
• Darin Ruf 0-4, BB
• James McCann 0-3, BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 0-3, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-3, K
• Tyler Naquin 0-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Marlins love spoiling the Mets in September. Last night the Mets couldn’t move beyond the Marlins despite multiple chances. The Braves beat the Mariners and now the Mets are in second place. But all it takes is a Mets win today and Braves loss and the Mets will be back in first place by the end of the day.

Really what the Mets need is to get a string of wins in a row. Last night was not it but hopefully Carlos Carrasco can make that happen against Pablo Lopez tonight. Carlos will be making his second start since returning from the injured list. His last start was rough against the Nationals. He allowed five runs, only one earned, from six hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings.

Overall this season he has made 24 starts pitching 129 innings with a 3.91 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 1.333 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. Carrasco has seen the Marlins three times already this year. In his first two starts against the Marlins he allowed five runs from 15 hits over 12 innings. In his last start against them, on July 30th, he allowed no runs from four hits over 7 2/3 innings. The Marlins have the following numbers against Carlos:

• Avisail Garcia 12-45, 2B, HR, BB, 13 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 3-15, HR, 5 K
• Joey Wendle 1-12, 2B, K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2-11, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Miguel Rojas 4-12, HR, K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-10, K
• Jorge Soler 1-7, 2 BB, 4 K
• Brian Anderson 2-7, 2B, K
• Jacob Stallings 1-7, 2 K
• Garrett Cooper 2-6, BB, 2 K

The Mets draw Pablo Lopez today. Last time the Mets and Marlins matched up, there were rumors flying around if Pablo Lopez was going to be traded at the deadline as he was one of the more consistent starting pitchers available. No deal materialized and Lopez is still with the Marlins. He’s made 27 starts this season tossing 150 innings with a 3.66 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.180 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. Since he faced the Mets at the end of July, he has made seven starts, totaling 34 innings, allowing 22 runs from 45 hits and 11 walks (5.82 ERA, 4.17 FIP).

In that start that has kicked off this stretch, he allowed six runs from 12 hits over 2 2/3 innings against the Mets. He’s had one additional rough start against the Mets this year where he allowed 7 runs, 6 earned over 5 1/3 innings, and another start where he held the Mets to only one run from a solo homer over five innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 6-20, 2B, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Pete Alonso 3-15, 2B, 3 BB, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 7-14, 3 2B, HR, BB, K
• Francisco Lindor 4-14, 2B, HR, 3 K
• Tomás Nido 1-8, BB, 4 K
• Mark Canha 4-5, 2B
• Eduardo Escobar 2-7, HR, 3 K
• Tyler Naquin 1-6, 3B, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets needed to win both games on Wednesday to stay in first place and that’s exactly what they did. The Mets scored 15 runs between the two games. Overall though, the Mets are still in a bit of a tight spot. They have a half game lead, Marte is nursing an injury and Max Scherzer will miss 1-2 turns in the rotation. The Mets have risen to the occasion many times before and seeing the offense wake up on Wednesday without Marte in the lineup was a positive sign.

David Peterson gets the start for the Mets this evening. over 21 games and 17 starts, Peterson has tossed 95 innings with a 3.32 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.305 WHIP and a 118 ERA+. He allowed three runs from eight hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings his last time out against the Nationals. Since quasi-joining the Mets rotation at the start of August, he has made four starts, allowing six runs in 21 1/3 innings (2.53 ERA) while striking out 24.

Peterson made back to back starts against the Marlins at the end of June, allowing two runs from 10 hits and two walks in 12 1/3 innings. The Marlins have the following career numbers against him:

• Jon Berti 2-9, 2B, 2 K
• Garrett Cooper 0-5, 2 K
• Miguel Rojas 3-6, HR
• Bryan De La Cruz 0-5, 3 K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 0-1, BB
• Jesus Sanchez 0-4, K
• Jorge Soler 1-3, K
• Brian Anderson 1-2, K

The Mets bats will get a look at Edward Cabrera tonight, making his 10th start of the season. Over his first nine games and 49 innings, Cabrera has a 2.39 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.061 WHIP and a 171 ERA+. This is a vast improvement over his seven starts made last year where he posted a 5.81 ERA, 6.63 FIP, 1.633 WHIP and 73 ERA+. Cabrera is coming off of a good start against the Braves where he allowed only one run over five innings while striking out seven, a game the Braves still managed to win. Over Cabrera’s nine games, he’s allowed only 13 runs and 11 of those runs came in two starts.

Edward Cabrera managed to start against the Mets three times in seven games last season. He allowed nine runs over 9 1/3 innings from 10 hits and six walks. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 2-5, 2 HR, BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 0-2, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-4
• Brandon Nimmo 2-3, BB, K
• James McCann 0-0, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

In order to reclaim first place today – the Mets need to win two! With a 5-1 win this afternoon, now all the Mets need to do is win the nightcap and they’ll be back in sole possession of first place.

With that in mind, the Mets need their ace today! Jacob deGrom takes the mound for his seventh start of the season. Over his first six starts he’s pitched 36 1/3 innings, posting a 1.98 ERA, 1.41 FIP, 0.550 WHIP and a 198 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed two runs over 13 innings from six hits and two walks while striking out 18. His last start was his first one this season finishing seven innings and it came against the best team in baseball – the Dodgers.

Jacob’s season ended due to injury last year right before the Mets faced the Pirates for back to back series. The Pirates have the following career stats against him:

• Josh VanMeter 0-5, 3 K
• Ben Gamel 1-3, K
• Tucupita Marcano 0-3, K
• Tyler Heineman 1-1, 2B

Johan Oviedo gets the start for the Pirates tonight. He’s pitched 15 games this season, mostly with the Cardinals and has made two starts. Overall he’s logged 28 1/3 innings with a 2.86 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 1.341 WHIP and a 138 ERA+. His last outing was his first in the majors in the last month. On September 2nd he logged three scoreless innings, scattering two hits and three walks while striking out four. He did reach 77 pitches. The only other time he got close to that was June 4th, his first start of the season, where he threw 103 pitches over five innings allowing three runs from eight hits and three walks. The Mets have the following career numbers against Oveido:

• Tyler Naquin 1-5, 2B, BB, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-6, K
• Eduardo Escobar 0-3
• Pete Alonso 0-1, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-2
• Tomás Nido 2-2, HR

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets terrible weekend continued into last night with a loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Braves won yesterday as well, so now both teams are tied on top of the division. The Mets, however, play two games today and can be the sole holders of first place if they sweep the doubleheader, independent of what the Braves do. This of course requires the Mets to win – something that has eluded them recently.

The Mets are still a good baseball team and all it takes is the momentum to swing back in their favor. If Pete Alonso can heat up, if the Mets can ride Escobar’s hot streak, if the DH’s start hitting – this team will be back to the powerhouse they’ve been all season.

Chris Bassitt returns to the mound tonight. Over 25 starts and 154 1/3 innings this season he has a 3.32 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.147 WHIP and a 117 ERA+. He’s coming off of a good outing against the Dodgers last week where he held them to two runs from six hits and three walks over six innings, a game the Mets won. Overall since the start of August he has made six starts, tossing 39 1/3 innings with a 1.83 ERA and a 2.71 FIP. The Pirates have the following career numbers against him:

• Roberto Perez 3-8, K
• Josh VanMeter 0-5, 2 K
• Michael Chavis 1-2, K
• Ben Gamel 0-2, K
• Bryan Reynolds 1-1, BB

The Mets bats will try to wake up against Duane Underwood Jr. who is making just his second major league start of his career. Duane’s very first major league game in 2018, his only game in 2018, was a start. Since then he has made 110 relief appearances. This year he has pitched in 38 games and 45 innings with a 4.60 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 1.511 WHIP and a 91 ERA+. Over his last three games and 3 1/3 innings, he has allowed five runs from seven hits and three walks. In two of those three games he went over 30 pitches thrown. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Tyler Naquin 2-4, 2B, BB
• Eduardo Escobar 0-2
• Darin Ruf 0-2
• Mark Canha 0-1, K
• Starling Marte 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets have had a rough end of the weekend. The offense went silent against, arguably, the worst team in baseball. The Braves won both days the Mets lost, shrinking the Mets lead to only one game. However, the Mets have been here before. Multiple times this season the Braves have gotten really close to the lead. All it takes another Mets streak to get some breathing room again. The first step to that is a win – and that’s exactly what the Mets and Taijuan Walker hope to do in Pittsburgh this evening.

The game yesterday got washed out forcing a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Mets are going roll out their same probable pitchers, with the order on Wednesday to be announced later.

Walker has made 23 starts this season, tossing 122 2/3 innings with a 3.45 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 1.215 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. Since coming back from his injury, he has allowed five runs over 10 1/3 innings from nine hits and five walks. Frustratingly, the Mets have lost those games by a combined three runs because the Mets offense only scored a total of five runs in those starts.

Tonight is also a bit of a revenge game for Walker. Last season Walker faced the Pirates on back to back starts, with the All-Star game between them. In the first start he allowed two runs over five innings from four hits and three walks. The second start foreshadowed his second half struggles. He was tagged for six runs, five earned, from four hits and four walks (plus some weird plays) while only recording one out. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Walker:

• Bryan Reynolds 1-4
• JT Brubaker 0-1, 2 BB
• BenGamel 1-1, 2 BB
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-3, K
• Tucupita Marcano 0-3
• Kevin Newman 1-2, BB

The Mets bats will try to break out of their funk today against Mitch Keller. Over 25 games, 23 starts, and 124 innings of work, Keller has a 4.43 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.460 WHIP and a 94 ERA+. Keller is coming off of a good start against the Brewers where he held them to two runs from four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out 10. In his previous three starts before that he allowed 15 runs, nine earned, over 11 innings from 17 hits and 6 walks (7.36 ERA, 4.57 FIP).

Keller didn’t pitch in the major leagues last year from mid-June to the end of July – so he missed the Pirates and Mets back to back series. The Mets have the following career numbers against Keller:

• Tyler Naquin 3-8, 3 2B, 4 K
• Francisco Lindor 0-0, 3 BB
• Starling Marte 0-2, K
• Darin Ruf 0-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets have had a rough two days. The offense went silent against, arguably, the worst team in baseball. The Braves won both days the Mets lost, shrinking the Mets lead to only one game. However, the Mets have been here before. Multiple times this season the Braves have gotten really close to the lead. All it takes another Mets streak to get some breathing room again. The first step to that is a win – and that’s exactly what the Mets and Taijuan Walker hope to do in Pittsburgh this afternoon.

Walker has made 23 starts this season, tossing 122 2/3 innings with a 3.45 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 1.215 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. Since coming back from his injury, he has allowed five runs over 10 1/3 innings from nine hits and five walks. Frustratingly, the Mets have lost those games by a combined three runs because the Mets offense only scored a total of five runs in those starts.

Tonight is also a bit of a revenge game for Walker. Last season Walker faced the Pirates on back to back starts, with the All-Star game between them. In the first start he allowed two runs over five innings from four hits and three walks. The second start foreshadowed his second half struggles. He was tagged for six runs, five earned, from four hits and four walks (plus some weird plays) while only recording one out. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Walker:

• Bryan Reynolds 1-4
• JT Brubaker 0-1, 2 BB
• BenGamel 1-1, 2 BB
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-3, K
• Tucupita Marcano 0-3
• Kevin Newman 1-2, BB

The Mets bats will try to break out of their funk today against Mitch Keller. Over 25 games, 23 starts, and 124 innings of work, Keller has a 4.43 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.460 WHIP and a 94 ERA+. Keller is coming off of a good start against the Brewers where he held them to two runs from four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out 10. In his previous three starts before that he allowed 15 runs, nine earned, over 11 innings from 17 hits and 6 walks (7.36 ERA, 4.57 FIP).

Keller didn’t pitch in the major leagues last year from mid-June to the end of July – so he missed the Pirates and Mets back to back series. The Mets have the following career numbers against Keller:

• Tyler Naquin 3-8, 3 2B, 4 K
• Francisco Lindor 0-0, 3 BB
• Starling Marte 0-2, K
• Darin Ruf 0-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!