213 Miles From Shea

The last couple of days have stunk for the Mets. They were beaten twice in two close games with the Yankees, where the offense struggled. The Braves have only won since then.

But the Mets have been here before and have responded each time by stringing together a few wins and getting some comfortable breathing room in the standings back. The Mets just need to do that again starting tonight.

Jacob deGrom gets back on the mound tonight. In his first four starts since returning he has allowed six runs from 11 hits and a walk over 23 1/3 innings while striking out 37 batters. Although the sample size is small, that puts his K/9 at 14.3 and matches his ridiculous K/9 from last season. He has a 2.31 ERA, 0.64 FIP, 0.514 WHIP and a 172 ERA+.

Jacob faced the Rockies twice last season. His first start against them was in Colorado where he gave up three runs from three hits (including a homer) while striking out 14 batters over six innings. It was one of only two starts last year where he gave up three runs (or more, which didn’t happen at all). He then faced the Rockies in Queens and held them to one run from a solo homer, scattering three hits and no walks over five innings while striking out 9. The Rockies have the following numbers against him:

• Charlie Blackmon 3-24, 2 2B, BB, 5 K
• Kris Bryant 6-17, 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 7 K
• Randal Grichuk 4-11, 2B, 2 HR, BB, 4 K
• José Iglesias 2-9, 2 K
• C.J. Cron 1-6, 3 BB, 4 K
• Ryan McMahon 1-5, HR, 3 K

The Mets bats will get a look at Ryan Feltner tonight. Feltner has made 11 starts, pitching in 12 games this season (56 2/3 innings) with a 5.88 ERA, 4.80 FIP, 1.394 WHIP and a 78 ERA+. His numbers are slightly worse on the road. He has a 6.26 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in six starts and 27 1/3 innings away from Colorado. That being said, after a terrible start to August, allowing 13 earned runs over 13 2/3 innings over three starts, he had a really solid start his last time out. Feltner held the Giants to one run from two hits over six innings. Feltner has never faced the Mets or anyone on the Mets roster before.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets look to avoid the two-game series sweep tonight. Last night the Yankees got strong starting pitching and were able to hit Scherzer hard, ultimately beating the Mets 4-2.

Taijuan Walker returns to the mound for the Mets tonight. Taijuan exited his last start early due to back spasms and missed his regular start over the over the weekend to get a few more days to heal up. He’s made 21 starts this season and pitched 112 1/3 innings with a 3.36 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 1.202 WHIP and a 117 ERA+. He started August with a terrible start against the Braves where he allowed eight runs while recording three outs. Since then he has allowed two runs over eight innings while scattering six hits and five walks.

Walker faced the Yankees in July allowing three runs from seven hits and a walk over six innings. The Yankees have the following numbers against him:

• DJ LeMahieu 7-28, 2B, 5 BB, 6 K
• Josh Donaldson 2-15, 2B, HR, 6 K
• Aaron Hicks 4-11, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Anthony Rizzo 2-13, HR, BB, 2 K
• Aaron Judge 3-9, 3 HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Harrison Bader 0-6, 2 K
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa 3-5, BB

The Mets bats will get a look at one of the Yankees’ big trade deadline acquisitions – Frankie Montas. Overall this season, Montas has started 22 games pitching 118 2/3 innings with a 3.87 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 1.205 WHIP and a 97 ERA+. Before the trade he made 19 starts tossing 104 2/3 innings with a 3.18 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 1.137 WHIP and a 117 ERA+. In his three starts since joining the Yankees he has allowed 14 earned runs over 14 innings from 18 hits and 6 walks. His K/9 has dropped from 9.4 to 5.1 while his WHIP has increased from 1.137 to 1.714. The Mets have the following career numbers against Montas:

• Francisco Lindor 4-9, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-4, 2 BB, 3 K
• Starling Marte 3-5
• James McCann 1-4
• Tyler Naquin 2-3, 2B, K
• Darin Ruf 0-2, 2 K
• Mark Canha 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets come back to New York as the away team tonight, starting a two game series in the Bronx against the Yankees!

Yesterday’s Mets game felt like an entire season! The Mets started off in a four run hole after the first inning. Then they tied it up. Then the Phillies went up three. Then a rain delay. Then the Mets tied it up. Then the Phillies went up one. Then the Mets went up two. Finally the Mets were able to hold on to a one run lead to win the game. The game went from what felt like a lost game, to one of the best comebacks this season. The cherry on top? The Braves lost yesterday too.

So now the Mets try to catch their breath against the Yankees who finally won yesterday. The Mets have been forced to use players not normally in the rotation the last three games to start and tonight it feels so good to say that Max Scherzer is starting.

Scherzer has made 17 starts and pitched 109 innings with a 2.15 ERA, 2.42 FIP, 0.927 WHIP and a 183 ERA+. In his first eight starts since returning from the injured list Scherzer has pitched 53 innings with a 1.36 ERA while striking out 67 batters. His last start was the first time in a while he looked human allowing four runs from three hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings against the Braves. The last time Scherzer faced the Yankees this season, he shut them out over seven innings, scattering five hits and two walks. The Yankees have the following numbers against Scherzer:

• Giancarlo Stanton 6-24, 3 HR, 12 K
• Anthony Rizzo 5-20, 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
• Josh Donaldson 3-17, 2B, 3B, 4 BB, 3 K
• Aaron Hicks 1-16, BB, 6 K
• DJ LeMahieu 5-12, BB, 3 K
• Harrison Bader 2-12, 2B, 4 K
• Aaron Judge 2-10, 2B, 6 K
• Gleyber Torres 0-8, BB, 3 K
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa 1-3, 2B, K

The Mets bats will get a look at Domingo Germán tonight. Over six starts and 28 1/3 innings, Germán has a 4.45 ERA, 4.50 FIP, 1.412 WHIP and an 88 ERA+. He had a stretch of four games starting on July 27th (against the Mets) where he put up a 2.61 ERA over 20 2/3 innings. During those four games he allowed six total runs. In the two other games he’s allowed eight. Germán has not gone particularly deep into games this season either, finishing six innings once and not going beyond 90 pitches. Something to keep in mind with the Mets tendency to grind pitchers down. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Mark Canha 7-11, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Francisco Lindor 1-9, 3 BB, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-6, 3B, BB, 2 K
• Tyler Naquin 2-6, HR, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 2-5, 2B, HR, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-5, HR
• Starling Marte 0-3, 3 K
• James McCann 1-2, 2B, BB
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-1, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets go for the series victory today in Philadelphia! The Mets won the first game of the doubleheader yesterday but couldn’t get the offense going for the night cap – so they settled for the split. For the past week the Mets have known that the yesterday and today was going to be the rough patch in terms of starting pitching. Carlos Carrasco is out for the next month. Taijuan Walker, who was scheduled to pitch today, needs more time to come back from back spasms. So the Mets relied on Trevor Williams and David Peterson yesterday to fill in the gaps, but that still left today to figure out.

And that’s why we get the major league debut of José Butto! The right handed pitcher, who most recently was listed as the #12 prospect in the Mets system by Mets Minors will get a chance to show his stuff at the major league level today. Across 20 games with Binghamton and two games with Syracuse, Butto has pitched 98 1/3 innings with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.312 WHIP. While his walk rate at 3.4 per nine innings is the highest in his career, so his strikeout rate at 10.2 per nine. He has thrown up to 98 pitches as recently as July 30th – so if his stuff looks good today he can potentially go deep into the game.

The Mets bats will get another look at Kyle Gibson this afternoon. Over 23 games and 127 2/3 innings, Gibson has a 4.30 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 1.167 WHIP and a 95 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed nine runs, eight earned, over 26 innings (2.77 ERA, 3.74 FIP). Gibson threw back to back games against the Mets at the end of April and start of May. In the first game he held the Mets to one unearned run over 4 1/3 innings. In the next start he held the Mets to two earned runs over six innings from six hits. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 16-48, 2 2B, 6 BB, 8 K
• James McCann 6-29, BB, 7 K
• Mark Canha 2-16, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 4-13, 2B, HR, 2 BB, K
• Pete Alonso 0-11, 3 BB, 5 K
• Jeff McNeil 3-13, 2B, HR, 2 K
• Tyler Naquin 1-10, 3 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 5-9, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Starling Marte 3-7, 2B, BB, K

Let’s Go Mets!

David Peterson gets to start the night cap against the Phillies! The Mets have had Peterson penciled in as the doubleheader starter for the last two weeks since the Met have had two scheduled doubleheaders. The question was what are the Mets going to do with Peterson after this weekend. Bullpen?

Then the Mets had back to back nights with injuries to their starting pitchers (Carrasco then Walker) and suddenly Peterson became a lot more important – especially while the Mets wait for other injured pitchers to progress through their rehab assignments (Megill, Lucchesi).

Over 18 games and 14 starts Peterson has pitched 79 innings this season with a 3.30 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 1.278 WHIP and a 119 ERA+. It’s been two weeks but his last start was also in a double header game against at Atlanta and he gave the Mets a fantastic 5 1/3 scoreless innings, scattering three hits and three walks. He also tossed 81 pitches. The only time he has faced the Phillies this season was during his season debut, at Philly! He allowed no runs from three hits and two walks over four innings. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Rhys Hoskins 5-13, 2B, HR, 2 BB, 4 K
• Alec Bohm 2-11, 2B, HR, BB, 4 K
• J.T. Realmuto 1-7, 2B, 3 BB, K
• Jean Segura 3-7, 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
• Kyle Schwarber 0-5, 4 K
• Brandon Marsh 1-1, HR

Bailey Falter gets the start tonight for the Phillies. Over 11 games and 7 starts this season, Falter has pitched 39 innings with a 4.85 ERA, 5.71 FIP, 1.385 WHIP and a 85 ERA+. Most of his work, inning wise, has happened as a starter – logging 31 2/3 innings with a 4.83 ERA, 1.390 WHIP. This will be his first start since July.

Falter has faced the Mets twice this season. In April he pitched two innings in relief, allowing a run on a hit and a walk. Then at the end of May he started against the Mets, allowing five runs, only two earned, over three innings from four hits and three walks. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 1-2, HR
• Mark Canha 1-3
• Francisco Lindor 0-0, 3 BB
• Starling Marte 1-3
• Brandon Nimmo 0-2, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-2
• Tyler Naquin 0-0, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets play two against the Phillies today! If the Mets win both games today they can clinch a series victory, if they split today they set up a rubber game tomorrow and if they get swept they set up a game to prevent a series loss tomorrow. There’s a lot at stake!

Earlier in the week the Mets lost Carlos Carrasco to an injury for about a month. The two pitchers that make the most sense to fill in for Carrasco are Trevor Williams and David Peterson. Both of those pitchers will get to start today.

Trevor Williams is first up and he has been a critical player for most of the season. Over 22 games and eight starts he has tossed 65 2/3 innings with a 3.02 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 1.157 WHIP and a 131 ERA+. Since July 7th he has pitched in seven games for the Mets throwing 20.0 innings allowing zero runs. He has scattered 12 hits and three walks while striking out 16 batters. This includes a scoreless two innings of work six days ago against the Phillies. July 7th was his longest outing of the season, going seven innings against the Marlins throwing 83 pitches. At the start of August against the Braves he tossed 52 pitches. This gives us an idea of what his upper limit will probably be today. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Kyle Schwarber 10-29, 2 2B, 4 HR, 6 BB, 3 K
• Nick Castellanos 7-20, 4 2B, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
• Rhys Hoskins 1-5, HR, 2 BB,2 K
• J.T. Realmuto 2-5, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Jean Segura 2-5
• Alec Bohm 0-2
• Brandon Marsh 0-1

The Mets bats will get to see Zack Wheeler – again. Over 22 starts and 132 2/2 innings, Wheeler has a 2.92 ERA, 2.97 FIP, 1.055 WHIP and a 140 ERA+. Before his last start he had a stretch of four games where he pitched a total of 27 innings allowing five earned runs from 16 hits and 6 walks while striking out 29 batters (1.67 ERA). In his last start, against the Mets, he allowed six runs from nine hits and a walk over six innings of work. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 9-31, 3 2B, HR, 5 K
• Pete Alonso 9-22, 2 2B, 2 BB, 4 K
• Jeff McNeil 3-22, 2 BB, 6 K
• Francisco Lindor 5-20, 2B, 5 K
• James McCann 4-19, 4 K
• Starling Marte 5-16, 2B, 3B, K
• Mark Canha 2-8
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-7, HR< K
• Darin Ruf 0-4, 3 BB, 4 K
• Tyler Naquin 1-3

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets look to have a big weekend in Philadelphia after a rough week in Atlanta. Last night the Mets lost their first series of the year to a NL East opponent. On the positive side, in the last two weeks the Mets still went 5-4 against the Braves which is what they needed to do to keep their division lead.

The Mets and Phillies just matched up last weekend with the Mets taking the series winning both on Saturday and Sunday. The Phillies enter this weekend 13 games above .500, 1 game up for the the second wild card and 10 games back for the division. The Mets can cause some wild card madness with another dominating weekend against the Phillies.

Chris Bassitt kicks the weekend off for the Mets. Over 22 games and 135 innings this year, Bassitt has a 3.27 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 1.126 WHIP and a 120 ERA+. In the month of August he has made three starts and allowed one unearned run – that’s it. Over those three starts and 20 innings, he has scattered 18 hits and four walks while striking out 17. In three starts against the Phillies this year he has allowed two runs over 16 2/3 innings from 11 hits and six walks while striking out 16 batters. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Nick Castellanos 8-22, 3 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
• Alec Bohm 2-9
• Rhys Hoskins 2-7, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Jean Segura 2-6, HR< BB
• Brandon Marsh 1-4, 2B, BB, 2 K
• J.T. Realmuto 0-4, 2 K

The Mets bats will get another look at Aaron Nola this evening. Over 23 starts and 152 2/3 innings, Nola has a 3.07 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 0.930 WHIP and a 133 ERA+. Nola’s success this season has come from his control and limiting his walks – he’s actually leading the league in BB/9 at 1.2. His last start was a a fantastic one against the Mets – a pitching duel that the Mets won 1-0. Nola pitched eight innings allowing one run from four hits and a walk while striking out eight. Overall in his last three starts he has allowed three earned runs over 20 innings, 1.35 ERA. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 11-40, 3B, HR, 11 BB, 15 K
• Jeff McNeil 11-36, 2B, HR, 5 BB, 8 K
• Pete Alonso 14-40, 3 2B, 4 HR, 3 BB, 12 K
• Francisco Lindor 4-20, 2 2B, BB, 6 K
• Starling Marte 7-21, HR, 7 K
• James McCann 1-11, 5 K
• Mark Canha 1-6, 2B, K
• Tyler Naquin 2-6, HR, BB, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 2-6, K
• Michael Perez 0-3, BB, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets held on and won last night’s game, putting the Braves back to a comfortable 4.5 games back. Now the Mets have a chance to split the series and put the Braves right back where they were when the week started!

The headline in last night’s game was Brett Baty. The Mets #2 prospect made his major league debut hitting a homerun on the second pitch he saw in the game. Those two runs ended up being incredibly important with the Mets winning by 9-7. Brett Baty also hit a ball with an exit velocity of 113 mph off a lefty – just something the Mets have not done in recent years.

Now the Mets turn to Jacob deGrom! Happy deGrom day! Jacob has made three starts this year totaling 16 2/3 innings with a 1.62 ERA, 0.72 FIP, .420 WHIP and a 248 ERA+. His second start of the season was against the Braves and he held them to two runs from one hit and one walk over 5 2/3 innings while striking out 12. The only hit he gave up in that game was a homerun and he was pulled from the game after that (following the plan of allowing him to throw around 75 pitches). The Braves have the following numbers against deGrom:

• Dansby Swanson 5-28, 2 2B, HR, 3 BB, 14 K
• Marcell Ozuna 10-43, 2 2B, HR, BB, 16 K
• Ronald Acuña Jr. 8-27, 2B, 2 BB, 9 K
• Austin Riley 3-14, 2 HR, 7 K
• Orlando Arcia 2-6, BB, 2 K
• Adam Duval 1-3, 2B, 2 K
• Eddie Rosario 1-4, HR, K
• Travis d’Arnaud 2-3, HR, K
• Robbie Grossman 0-2, K
• Michael Harris 0-2, 2 K
• Matt Olson 0-2, K
• William Contreras 0-2, 2 K

Max Fried will be activated to start tonight’s game against the Mets. Fried has been on the injured list for the last week due to a concussion. Over 22 starts and 138 1/3 innings, Fried has a 2.60 ERA, 2.45 FIP, 1.077 WHIP and a 162 ERA+. His major strength this season has been keeping the ball in the ballpark. He’s leading the league in HR/9 at 0.4. His last start was against the Mets where he allowed four runs, two earned over six innings from six hits and a walk. His concussion is from a fall he took while fielding during the third inning. He stayed in the game but was placed in the concussion protocol afterwards. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 8-27, 2B, 2 HR, 5 BB, 10 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-18, 2 2B, 4 BB, 6 K
• Jeff McNeil 8-22, 3 2B, 5 K
• Francisco Lindor 3-18, HR, 4 K
• Starling Marte 4-13, 2 2B, BB, 3 K
• Darin Ruf 2-11, BB, 3 K
• James McCann 0-7, 2 BB
• Mark Canha 2-7, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-3, K
• Tyler Naquin 0-3, 2 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The last two days have been rough for the Mets who have lost back to back games while losing their starters at the beginning of the game due to injury. Before yesterday’s game we found out that Carlos Carrasco will be out for 3-4 weeks. Yesterday Taijuan Walker left after the second inning due to back spasms. Credit to the Mets bullpen – after Walker left they immediately gave up three runs but then locked the game down. The offense for the Mets last night was just not existent.

The Braves are now 3.5 games back behind the Mets. A win today and the Mets are immediately back to a comfortable 4.5 game lead. Let’s get the win Mets!

Max Scherzer will get the start for the Mets tonight. Over 16 starts (102 2/3 innings), Scherzer has a 1.93 ERA, 2.40 FIP, 0.925 WHIP and a 204 ERA+. Since returning from the injured list he has made eight starts tossing 53 innings with a 1.36 ERA (1.89 FIP) while striking out 67 batters. In his last two starts he has allowed one run over 14 innings from 13 hits and no walks while striking out 17 batters. This includes a game against the Braves where he shut them out for seven innings. The Braves have the following career numbers against Scherzer:

• Marcell Ozuna 12-47, 6 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 15 K
• Dansby Swanson 7-44, 3 2B, HR, 2 BB, 18 K
• Travis d’Arnaud 7-30, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 11 K
• Ronald Acuña Jr. 7-26, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, BB, 9 K
• Austin Riley 2-13, HR, 5 K
• Adam Duvall 1-9, HR, 6 K
• Eddie Rosario 1-8, 3 K
• Robbie Grossman 1-5, 2 BB, 2 K
• Matt Olson 1-6, 3 K

The Mets will get another look at Jake Odorizzi tonight. He’s made 14 starts this season, tossing 68 2/3 innings with a 3.80 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 1.267 WHIP and a 103 ERA+. In two starts as a Brave he has pitched 8 2/3 innings, allowing five runs, four earned, from 14 hits and four walks. That leaves him with a small sample size 4.15 ERA, 4.96 FIP and 2.077 WHIP. Against the Mets he pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing three runs, two earned, from six hits and three walks. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 11-28, 4 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 6 K
• Mark Canha 3-13, 2B, K
• Starling Marte 3-11, 3B, BB, K
• James McCann 1-12, BB, 4 K
• Tyler Naquin 2-12, 6 K
• Pete Alonso 1-5, K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-4, 3 K
• Jeff McNeil 2-4
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-2, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

Last night wasn’t a good night for the Mets – it’s time to let it rinse off and try again today.

The Braves crushed the Mets in the series opener last night 13-1. Right now the Mets find themselves in a bit of an injury crush. Carrasco left the game after the second inning finished (after the rain delay), Nido is under the weather and Guillorme is out for about a month. Plus McNeil and Escobar are both playing while not 100%.

What the Mets need is a strong, long outing from Taijuan Walker tonight. Over 20 starts and 110 1/3 innings, Walker has a 3.43 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 1.196 WHIP and a 115 ERA+. He started off August with a bad and weird start against the Braves where he allowed eight runs from seven hits while recording three outs. Walker bounced back in his last start holding the Reds to two runs from five hits and three walks over six innings. The Braves have the following career numbers against Walker:

• Robbie Grossman 5-13, 2B, HR< BB, 2 K
• Marcell Ozuna 1-6, 2B, 2 BB, K
• Dansby Swanson 2-8, 2B, K
• Matt Olson 2-6, 2B, BB, K
• Austin Riley 3-6, HR, K
• Ronald Acuña Jr. 2-6, 2 K
• Adam Duvall 0-5
• Eddie Rosario 1-4, K
• William Contreras 0-3, K
• Orlando Arcia 0-1
• Michael Harris 1-1, HR

The Mets bats will get another look at Charlie Morton tonight. Over 22 starts and 122 2/3 innings, Morton has a 4.26 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 1.207 WHIP and a 98 ERA+. He’s coming off of a rough start against the Red Sox where he allowed five runs from six hits and a walk over six innings – this includes three homers. Before that, he locked down the Mets allowing no runs from three hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings. The Mets eventually won that game 3-1. The Mets have the following career numbers against Morton:

• Francisco Lindor 3-29, 2 2B, HR, 8 K
• Eduardo Escobar 3-14, HR, BB, 3 K
• Starling Marte 3-13, 2 BB, 4 K
• Pete Alonso 5-13, 2B, K
• Jeff McNeil 2-10, HR, 5 K
• Mark Canha 2-9, HR, 4 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 2-9, HR, BB, 4 K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-9, BB, 3 K
• Darin Ruf 1-3, HR, K
• Tyler Naquin 0-2, 2 K

Let’s Go Mets!