213 Miles From Shea

The Mets and Braves meet up for one of the most important series of the season. The Braves have been incredibly hot over the last month and are now only 1.5 games behind the Mets. This makes tonight’s game the most important. The Mets can rob the Braves of their momentum and their ability to be in first place by the end of the series with a victory today.

This also has become a series of reunions too. A couple of weeks ago the Mets signed former Mets-killer Ender Inciarte to a minor league deal and he’s currently on the major league roster. The Braves just traded for Robinson Canó yesterday and he is expected to get called up from the minor league roster to the major league roster in time for this series.

Max Scherzer gets the start tonight. Over nine starts and 55 2/3 innings this season he has a 2.26 ERA, 2.62 FIP, 0.880 WHIP and a 177 ERA+. Last week he returned from the injured list and held the Reds to just two hits over six innings while striking out a season high of 11 batters. In two starts against the Braves last season he allowed four runs from eight hits and no walks over 12 innings while striking out 18 batters. The Braves have the following career numbers against him:

• Marcell Ozuna 11-41, 5 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 12 K
• Dansby Swanson 7-38, 3 2B, HR, 2 BB, 15 K
• Ozzie Albies 4-25, HR, 3 BB, 10 K
• Travis d’Arnaud 5-26, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 10 K
• Ronald Acuna Jr. 7-20, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, BB, 6 K
• Adam Duvall 1-9, 6 K
• Austin Riley 1-7, 3 K

It’s the battle of the Max’s tonight as Scherzer will face off against Max Fried. Fried has made 17 starts and pitched 107 1/3 innings this year with a 2.52 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 1.025 WHIP and a 172 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed only four runs from 21 hits and four walks (1.35 ERA, 1.68 FIP) over 26 2/3 innings. Against the Mets earlier this season he allowed two runs from four hits and no walks over six innings with six strikeouts. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 4-21, 2 HR, 5 BB, 8 K
• J.D. Davis 4-20, 3 BB, 7 K
• Jeff McNeil 8-22, 3 2B, 5 K (On Paternity Leave)
• Brandon Nimmo 2-13, 2B, 3 BB, 5 K
• Francisco Lindor 1-12, HR, 4 K
• Starling Marte 4-11, 2 2B, 2 K
• James McCann 0-7, 2 BB
• Eduardo Escobar 2-8, 3 K
• Luis Guillorme 2-4, 2B
• Mark Canha 2-3, HR, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Marlins match up this Sunday with a fantastic pitching set up. Taijuan Walker, who has been on fire for the last month or so faces off against one of the best pitchers in baseball right now, Sandy Alcantara.

Taijuan Walker has made 14 starts, tossing 78 2/3 innings this season with a 2.86 ERA, 3.09 FIP, 1.144 WHIP and a 140 ERA+. Since May 22nd he has made nine starts and tossed 55 2/3 innings with a 2.59 ERA and 2.67 FIP. In his last five starts he has pitched 32 innings with a 2.25 ERA, 2.01 FIP and 36 strikeouts.

This stretch includes back to back starts against the Marlins where he allowed four runs over 12 2/3 innings from 10 hits and three walks while striking out 14 batters. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Miguel Rojas 2-16, 2B, 4 K
• Avisail Garcia 2-15, 2B, 7 K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 4-10, 2 2B, 4 BB, 3 K
• Jesus Aguilar 2-11, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Brian Anderson 3-10, 3 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 4-10, 2 K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-7, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jon Berti 4-7, K
• Garrett Cooper 1-6, 3 K
• Jorge Soler 1-6, K

Sandy Alcantara has made 17 starts and pitched a league leading 123 1/3 innings this year with a 1.82 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 0.908 WHIP and a 227 ERA+. He is coming off of a dominating start against the Angels where he allowed no runs from two hits while striking out 10. He’s made two starts against the Mets this season. In the first start the Mets were able to score two runs from six hits and a walk over eight innings. In the second start the Mets made him look human. The Mets scored five runs, four earned, over seven innings from six hits. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 4-24, 3 2B, HR, BB, 7 K
• Jeff McNeil 8-25, 2B, HR, 3 BB, K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-23, 2B, 3 BB, 5 K
• Francisco Lindor 7-19, 2 2B, HR, BB, K
• Eduardo Escobar 1-15, K
• Dominic Smith 2-14, K
• Ender Inciarte 0-7, 3 BB
• J.D. Davis 4-10, 2 2B
• Mark Canha 1-3, HR

Let’s Go Mets!

Happy Keith Hernandez Day! The All-Star first basemen and announcer for the New York Mets gets his number retired today at Citi Field. A long time criticism of the Mets was the team didn’t honor their own history. Things have changed the last two seasons with ceremonies for both Jerry Koosman and Keith. If you are going to the ballpark today, we hope you have an Amazin’ day and get to share stories about Keith on the field with those who were too young to see him.

At 33 years old, I definitely fall in the “too young to see him” bucket but I remember when I was in high school when SNY formed and introduced us to Gary, Keith and Ron. From telling us about the fundamentals, to his love of tootsie pops, to stories about his cat, I have loved having Keith be part of of my daily routine. Thank you Keith!

There’s also a baseball game today! Carlos Carrasco will make his 17th start of the season. Over 87 1/3 innings he has a 4.64 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 1.328 WHIP and a 87 ERA+. Carrasco ended the month of June with back to back rough starts, allowing 11 runs over 6 2/3 innings. Last time out he held the Rangers to only one run from six hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Carrasco Faced the Marlins in the middle of June and allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings from eight hits and two walks while striking out seven. The Marlins have the following numbers against Carrasco:

• Avisail Garcia 11-42, 2B, HR, BB, 12 K
• Jesus Aguilar 3-9, 2B, 2 BB, K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 211, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Billy Hamilton 3-10, 3B, 2 BB, 2 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 3-10, HR, 2 K
• Jorge Soler 1-7, 2 BB, 4 K
• Miguel Rojas 3-7, HR, K
• Jacob Stallings 1-7, 2 K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-5, 2 K

Braxton Garrett gets the start for the Marlins. Over six starts and 29 2/3 innings this season he has a 4.25 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 1.449 WHIP and a 98 ERA+. Braxton is coming off of a terrific start against the Nationals where he allowed only one run over 7 1/3 innings from four hits and a walk. His start before that he allowed five runs from seven hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Cardinals.

Braxton faced the Mets on June 18th and allowed three runs from five hits and two walks over four innings of work, in a game the Mets won 3-2. The Mets have the following career numbers against Braxton:

• Pete Alonso 0-3, 2 BB
• J.D. Davis 1-3, 2 BB, 2 K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-3
• Dominic Smith 2-3
• Mark Canha 1-1, BB
• Eduardo Escobar 0-2
• Francisco Lindor 1-2, HR
• Starling Marte 1-2
• Jeff McNeil 1-2

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets opened the series last night against the Marlins in grand fashion! J.D. Davis hit a grand slam, putting a cap on the Mets blowout 10-0 win. Davis has been struggling for most of the season, so it was great seeing him get a big hit to really put the game out of reach. James McCann, also struggling for most of the season, got a big three homer.

The bullpen for tonight’s game is also well rested thanks to Trevor Williams who tossed seven innings of shutout ball, followed by Jake Reed who provided two additional innings.

The story of tonight’s game will be the return of Chris Bassitt. He felt fatigued last week, took a covid test, self-reported the positive test (which is the responsible thing to do) and was put on the Covid IL list. He was frustrated with the process and gave a press conference yesterday were he suggested he may consider a different course in the future (which is the irresponsible thing to do).

Chris Bassitt has pitched 89 2/3 innings over 15 starts this season with a 4.01 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 1.149 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. In his last three starts he has allowed six runs over 21 1/3 innings, translating into a 2.53 ERA and 2.77 FIP. He has also struck out 21 batters in that stretch. One of those starts was against the Marlins where he pitched 6 1/3 innings and was tagged for three runs. However, those three runs came on a grand slam that happened after he was pulled out of the game. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Jorge Soler 2-8, HR, K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2-6, 2B, 2 K
• Avisail Garcia 0-6
• Miguel Rojas 2-6, K
• Jacob Stallings 1-6, 3 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 2-4, HR, BB, K
• Jesus Aguilar 1-3, K
• Jon Berti 0-2, BB, 2 K
• Garrett Cooper 1-3, K

The Mets bats will get a look at Pablo Lopez this evening. Lopez has made 16 starts throwing 94 innings this year with a 2.97 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.074 WHIP and a 139 ERA+. His last four starts have alternated between being terrible to good, and he’s coming off of a good start. Last time out he allowed only two runs from three hits over 6 1/3 innings against the Nationals. Earlier in June he faced the Mets where he allowed seven runs, six earned, over 5 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 4-14, 2B, 2 BB, 3 K
• Pete Alonso 2-11, 3 BB, 2 K
• Ener Inciarte 6-12, 2B, BB, 3 K
• J.D. Davis 5-10, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil4-10, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Francisco Lindor 2-9, HR, 2 K
• Dominic Smith 1-9, 2B, K
• Luis Guillorme 3-6, 2B, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets are back! The Mets bats have been almost nonexistent for the better part of the last week. Through most of the game yesterday they managed to cobble together two runs and heading into the 9th inning there was a feeling of doom sweeping over Mets Twitter (which I guess isn’t a rare thing to happen anyway). The Mets were able to tie the game into the 9th and finally broke out in the 10th inning, scoring 5 runs, capped by a three run bomb by Brandon Nimmo.

Now the Mets welcome the red hot Miami Marlins to Citi Field – again. The Marlins have won 7 of their last 10 games and have a +12 run differential, leading to an expected win/loss record of 41-39.

Trevor Williams will get the series started for the Mets. Williams has pitched 45 2/3 innings (15 games, seven starts) with a 4.34 ERA, 4.82 FIP, 1.336 WHIP and a 93 ERA+. His last start was a bit rough as the Rangers were able to muscle three homers against him, leading to five runs over 3 2/3 innings. He missed the Marlins when the Mets faced them last month (instead Williams got a double dose of Houston). The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Billy Hamilton 2-12, BB, 2 K
• Jesus Aguilar 1-6, 2B, BB, 5 K
• Miguel Rojas 1-7, 2 K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 0-4, K
• Lewin Diaz 0-4, 2 K
• Jesus Sanchez 2-4, HR, K
• Jacob Stallings 1-3, BB
• Garrett Cooper 2-3, 2B
• Jorge Soler 0-1, BB
• Bryan De La Cruz 0-1, K

The Mets bats will try to channel the 10th inning last night against Daniel Castano tonight. Castano has tossed 26 innings over seven games and four starts this year with a 2.42 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 1.346 WHIP and a 173 ERA+. In his four starts, also his last four games, eh has pitched 22 innings with a 2.86 ERA and a 5.06 FIP. During that span he has allowed 21 hits and nine walks but has only allowed nine runs. This span includes a start against the Mets where he allowed two runs from five hits and two walks over seven innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Castano:

• Pete Alonso 2-7, 2B, HR, 2 BB
• Brandon Nimmo 2-9, 2B, HR, K
• J.D. Davis 4-8, 2 2B
• Francisco Lindor 0-4, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-4, BB, K
• Dominic Smith 2-4, 2B, K
• Mark Canha 0-3, K
• Eduardo Escobar 0-3, K
• Luis Guillorme 0-3
• Starling Marte 1-2, 2B, BB, K
• Ender Inciarte 0-2

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was a tough loss for the Mets. Max Scherzer looked great coming off the injured list, striking out 11 over six innings while allowing no runs. The team didn’t allow any runs until the ninth inning when the Reds hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and no outs against Seth Lugo. It was the offense last night that was completely cold for the Mets leaving runners in scoring position throughout the game.

The Mets will look to get back to the win column today behind David Peterson. Peterson has tossed 58 1/3 innings this season over 12 games (10 starts) with a 3.24 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 1.200 WHIP and a 125 ERA+. One thing that has changed for Peterson recently is his strikeout totals. He has 60 on the season but 25 of those strikeouts have happened during his last three starts. He’s posted a 2.45 ERA and a 3.01 FIP during that three start span.

There is no one on the major league roster for the Reds who have seen Peterson in a game before. The only player on the 40-man who has seen Peterson is Stuart Fairchild (0-2) who was claimed off waivers by the Reds a couple of weeks ago. Fairchild currently plays in Louisville.

For a third straight day the Reds will send out a rookie starting pitcher to face the Mets bats. Graham Ashcraft has made eight starts this season throwing 43 2/3 innings with a 4.53 ERA, 4.15 FIP, 1.237 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. He is coming off of one his worst starts of the season where he allowed seven runs over 2 1/3 innings against the Cubs from seven hits and two walks. Since June 12th he has made four starts allowing 19 earned runs over 20 innings of work from 30 hits and four walks. In his four starts before that he allowed only three earned runs.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets won their 50th game of the season yesterday taking the series Opener from the Cincinnati Reds. The end of the game was important for the Mets – Díaz wasn’t available last night as the Mets have used him a lot recently. Seth Lugo came on, allowed a hit and nothing else in the 9th inning to lock down the win.

Today is the day though that Mets fans have been waiting for – the return of Max Scherzer to the mound! Before landing on the injured list, Scherzer made eight starts and pitched 49 2/3 innings with a 2.54 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 0.946 WHIP and a 160 ERA+. Scherzer faced the Reds last year as both a National and a Dodger. With Washington he allowed two runs over seven innings from five hits while striking out nine. Then in September he allowed no runs from two hits over seven innings while striking out seven. The Reds have the following career numbers against Scherzer:

• Mike Moustakas 6-39, 2B, HR, BB, 12 K
• Joey Votto 5-20, 2 2B, HR, 5 BB, 7 K
• Tommy Pham 3-20, 2B, BB, 9 K
• Brandon Drury 1-8, BB, 3 K
• Jonathan India 1-5, BB, K
• Matt Reynolds 0-3, 2 K

For a second straight game the Mets bats will get their first look at a rookie starting pitcher for the Reds. Nick Lodolo will make his 4th major league start today. Over his first three starts he has allowed nine runs from 14 2 /3 innings (5.52 ERA) coming from 18 hits and five walks. He has also struck out 19 batters over this stretch and allowed three homers. Most of the damage was done over his first two starts where he allowed eight runs over nine innings. In his third major league start, back on April 24th, he held the Cardinals to one run over 5 2/3 innings.

After that start in late April, the Reds revealed that Nick was actually pitching injured with tightness on his side and he landed on the injured list. The Reds are using caution with their young pitcher who is one of their top pitchers in their system.

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was a good day for the Mets and they look to keep the good vibes going in Cincinnati this evening. The Mets beat the Rangers 4-1, taking the rubber game on the same day that the Braves lost. Jacob deGrom tossed 24 pitches and struck out five batters. All of this leads to a happy flight from Queens to Ohio.

Taijuan Walker gets the series started for the Mets. Over 13 starts and 72 2/3 innings he has a 2.72 ERA, 3.09 FIP, 1.170 WHIP and a 148 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a dominant start against the Astros where he allowed no runs over 7 1/3 innings, scattering four hits and two walks. That was the third time in his last four starts where he has allowed one run or less. Overall in his last four starts he has pitched 26.0 innings, striking out 27 batters with a 1.73 ERA and a 1.73 FIP.

The Reds have the following numbers against Walker:

• Mike Moustakas 0-7, K
• Tommy Pham 1-6, BB
• Tyler Naquin 0-5, 4 K
• Joey Votto 1-2, HR, BB

The Mets bats will get a look at the flame throwing rookie Hunter Greene tonight. His fastball sits at 99 and frequently goes above 100 (check out his Baseball Savant page for more info!). He has made 15 starts tossing 74 innings this season with a 5.72 ERA, 5.53 FIP, 1.338 WHIP and an 82 ERA+. He has also allowed a league leading 20 homers. Over his last three starts he has allowed 15 runs, 13 earned, over 14 innings (8.36 ERA). So ultimately today will be the story of power pitching vs power hitting.

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was a slug fest at Citi Field. The starting pitcher for the Rangers, Martín Pérez, gave up two home runs, doubling the total amount he allowed for the season. The Mets gave up four homers, leading to the Rangers scoring 7 runs, an amount the Mets could not overcome.

Now the Mets have lost four of their last five and need Carlos Carrasco to rebound this afternoon. Carrasco has pitched 81 2/3 innings (15 starts) this season with a 4.85 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 1.335 WHIP and an 84 ERA+. Over his last two starts he has allowed 11 earned runs over 6 2/3 innings. Looking back a bit farther, he has allowed 19 earned runs over four starts (17 2/3 innings) which translates to a 9.68 ERA. He has been crushed by the home run ball during this stretch. In his last four starts he has allowed seven homers. In his 11 starts before that he allowed only three homers.

The Rangers have the following numbers against Carlos Carrasco:

• Marcus Semien 1-14, BB, 6 K
• Mitch Garver 1-14, HR, 10 K
• Brad Miller 3-13, 2 BB, 3 K
• Kole Calhoun 2-14, 2B, HR, 6 K
• Corey Seager 1-4, K

The Mets bats will try to clinch the series split today against Jon Gray. Over 13 starts and 71 2/3 innings with a 3.89 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 1.158 WHIP and a 99 ERA+. From the start of the season until June 7th, Gray made nine starts with an ERA of 5.28. Since then he has made four starts, totaling 25 2/3 innings, with a 1.40 ERA and a 2.19 FIP. If you were listening to the SNY broadcast yesterday, the booth mentioned multiple times how Gray has been on a tear over the last month.

The Mets have the following numbers against Jon Gray:

• Eduardo Escobar 5-23, 2B, HR, 5 BB, 3 K
• Ender Inciarte 3-17, HR, 2 BB, 4 K
• Starling Marte 4-16, HR, 3 K
• Pete Alonso 0-2, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-3, K
• Dominic Smith 0-3, 2 K
• Mark Canha 1-1, HR, BB
• J.D. Davis 1-2, 2B

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets broke their three game losing streak yesterday and they look to make it two games in a row against the Rangers this afternoon at Citi Field.

Right around when lineups were posted, the Mets got good news and bad news yesterday. The good news – Max Scherzer will be returning to the rotation on Tuesday. The bad news – Chris Bassitt was heading to the IL with a non-injury related issue. This moved David Peterson up a day and he did great last night. Peterson’s scheduled start today was most likely not going to happen anyway as he anxiously awaits the birth of his first child.

There’s another reason why his scheduled start today might not have happened anyway – it’s supposed to rain! Possibly torrentially. We are expecting a stormy situation across the tri-state starting around the late afternoon and continuing into the evening, so this game may not happen.

Anyway the Mets are sending out Trevor Williams. Over 14 games and six starts Williams has pitched 42 innings with a 3.64 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 1.310 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. He pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Astros on June 28th where he allowed one hit and two walks while striking out 4. As a starter this season he has tossed 24 innings with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.375 WHIP. His K/9 rate takes a significant drop as a starter (6) compared to when he is used in relief (11.5). The Rangers have the following numbers against Williams:

• Corey Seager 4-10, 2B, K
• Kole Calhoun 2-4, 2B, 2 BB, K
• Mitch Garver 0-3, 2 K
• Brad Miller 1-3, K
• Marcus Semien 0-2, BB, K
• Steven Duggar 0-2

The Mets face a resurgent Martín Pérez tonight. Over 11 seasons, Pérez has a career 4.52 ERA, 4.39 FIP, 1.455 WHIP and a 99 ERA+. This season, over 15 games and 93 1/3 innings, Pérez has a 2.22 ERA, 2.59 FIP, 1.157 WHIP and a 174 ERA+. He is keeping the ball in the ballpark this year. He has a career 1.0 HR/9 rate and this year he has a league leading low 0.2 HR/9. He hasn’t put a number below 1.0 in that category since 2016.

All that being said, Pérez has been more human in the month of June. On the 11th he allowed seven runs, 6 earned over 5.0 innings from 12 hits and 2 walks. His last time out he allowed four runs from seven hits with two walks. In between those starts he allowed only one run over 13 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Mark Canha 2-13, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Francisco Lindor 3-10, 3 BB
• James McCann 2-12, K
• J.D. Davis 2-10, BB, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 0-6, 2 BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 3-7
• Eduardo Escobar 1-5, K
• Starling Marte 2-5, 2B, K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-4, 2B

Let’s Go Mets!