213 Miles From Shea

The Mets play their last home game tonight and their last game against the Marlins in 2021. Yesterday Taijuan Walker put together his best start of the season, holding the Marlins scoreless over 7.1 innings. Then Lugo came in behind him and promptly let up three runs, two being charged to Walker. The Mets offense could not recover from this set back and the Mets lost the game. In a lot of ways, this game felt like the Mets 2021 season – leading for most of the game, not getting offense but still in the game, leaving runners on, and a late inning collapse.

The Mets will try to forget about that while Rich Hill makes his last start of the season (and possibly his last start as a Met). In 31 games this year and 153.2 innings, he has a 3.87 ERA, 4.31 FIP, 1.191 WHIP and a 102 ERA+. He’s posted similar numbers as a Met, pitching in 12 games, logging 58.1 innings with a 3.86 ERA, 3.92 FIP, 1.234 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. He’s been great in the month of September, making five starts allowing only eight runs in 26.2 innings (2.70 ERA). In his two starts against the Marlins this year he has allowed two runs, one earned, over 11.0 innings. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Lewis Brinson 0-4
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 1-5, BB, 2 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 3-5, 2B, K
• Lewin Diaz 0-3
• Alex Jackson 1-3, K
• Joe Panik 4-11, 3 BB, K
• Miguel Rojas 2-6, 2B, BB
• Jesus Sanchez 0-3, 3 K

The Mets will get another look at Edward Cabrera before the end of the season. The rookie Marlins pitcher will make his 7th start. In his first six starts he’s pitched 23.1 innings posting a 5.79 ERA, 6.76 FIP, 1.671 WHIP and a 74 ERA+. During that time he’s already faced the Mets twice. In the first game he allowed three runs from seven hits over 4.0 innings. Then in his next start he allowed four runs off only one hit (but four walks) in 2.1 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Michael Conforto 1-2, HR
• Brandon Nimmo 2-2
• Pete Alonso 1-3, HR, BB, K
• Jonathan Villar 1-2, 2 BB
• Jeff McNeil 1-3, 2B
• Francisco Lindor 0-1, BB
• Kevin Pillar 0-1
• Patrick Mazeika 0-2

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets had their first great day of baseball in forever yesterday! Too bad they already clinched a losing record for the season. However, there were some high, personal points for players.

Yesterday the Mets beat the Marlins twice, sweeping the double-header. The real headline for the Mets was Noah Syndgergaard took the mound for the first time since the end of the 2019 season and he looked good – he recorded two strikeouts and got a ground out. Additionally, in the first game, Lindor hit his 19th homer of the season, which gives him a good chance to end the season around 20.

Taijuan Walker gets the start today and is looking to end his season on a high note. Over 29 games and 151.2 innings, Walker has a 4.57 ERA, 4.64 FIP, 1.207 WHIP and a 87 ERA+. He’s coming off of a bad start against the Red Sox where he allowed six runs from six hits over 2.0 innings. Overall in September he has allowed 19 runs from 21 hits over 17.1 innings – including eight homers. He also hasn’t been the best against the Marlins this year, allowing nine runs over 16.1 innings spread across three games. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2-4, 2 2B, BB, K
• Bryan De La Cruz 4-5, K
• Alex Jackson 1-5, HR, 2 K
• Lewis Brinson 1-3, K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-3, K
• Joe Panik 4-15, BB, 2 K
• Miguel Rojas 2-11, 2B, K

The Mets bats will get a look at Elieser Hernández tonight. Hernández has made 10 starts, pitching 46.2 innings, with a 4.24 ERA, 5.58 FIP, 1.329 WHIP and a 99 ERA+. Hernández, like Walker, is also coming off of a rough start. His last time out he allowed four runs from seven hits and two walks over 4.0 innings. In the month of September he allowed 12 runs, 11 earned, over 19.1 innings (5.12 ERA). His second start of the season was against the Mets, way back in April, where he held the Mets to one run over 5.0 innings, scattering five hits. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Jose Peraza 1-1
• Michael Conforto 3-7, HR, BB, 2 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-8, 2B, K
• Jonathan Villar 1-4, HR
• Francisco Lindor 0-1, BB
• Jeff McNeil 1-5
• Dominic Smith 0-4
• Pete Alonso 0-6, 4 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets have a special treat for us tonight in Game Two.

Did you think this was just a meaningless, Tuesday night game? No! It’s Thorsday! Noah Syndergaard will make his 2021 debut tonight. Noah Syndergaard had Tommy John surgery before the 2020 season, going down to injury right before the pandemic. He was originally supposed to return late in the first half of this year but had a couple set backs leading up to tonight’s return. This is familiar territory for Thor who made a rehab start after a long absence due to injury (October 1st, 2017). A few Marlins have seen Syndergaard in a game before:

• Lewis Brinson 1-3
• Miguel Rojas 5-18, BB, 3 K
• Joe Panik 5-19, BB, 2 K
• Magneuris Sierra 1-6, 2B

Noah will pitch opposite of Trevor Rogers in the nightcap. Rogers has been a tremendous boon to the Marlins this season, pitching 24 games, logging 128.0 innings with a 2.67 ERA, 2.61 FIP, 1.172 WHIP and a 156 ERA+. His last five starts haven’t been the best, allowing 13 runs, 10 earned, over 21.2 innings, a 4.15 ERA. The last time that Rogers faced the Mets was way back on April 10th. He held the Mets scoreless over six innings, allowing only three hits while striking out 10. The Mets have the following numbers against Rogers:

• Jeff McNeil 2-5, 2 2B, 2 BB, K
• Dominic Smith 2-4, 2 BB, 2 K
• Luis Guillorme 1-3, BB, 2 K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-5, 2B, 2 BB
• Francisco Lindor 0-2, K
• Jonathan Villar 0-2, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 0-8, 4 K
• Michael Conforto 0-5, 5 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Marlins kick off their last series together with a double header. Once upon a time, this looked like a big series for the Mets as playing the Marlins at the end of the year could have been the boost to get over the edge. Now the Mets are playing to wrap up the year strong, evaluate players for next year, etc.

Marcus Stroman gets the start for the Mets for another double header. On the season he has pitched in 32 games and 174.0 innings with a 3.00 ERA, 3.43 FIP, 1.138 WHIP and a 133 ERA+. In three starts against the Marlins this year he has held them to three runs over 12.2 innings from 11 hits and one walk. That’s a 2.13 ERA. Stroman is coming off of a rough start where he allowed four runs in 5.0 innings. He’s in line right now to start again on Sunday, so he should get at least one more time in the rotation, but a good start today could help him lock in a season ERA below 3.00. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Sandy Leon 4-8, 2B, 2 K
• Joe Panik 1-3
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 1-6, 2 K
• Miguel Rojas 1-6, 2 K
• Lewin Diaz 0-3, K
• Jesus Sanchez 0-3, 2 K

The Mets bats draw Zach Thompson for the opener. In his rookie season, Thompson has pitched in 22 games and made 13 starts, including 71.0 innings of work. He has a 3.30 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 1.211 WHIP and a 127 ERA+. He’s pitched in the bullpen in September and has allowed five runs, four earned, over 8.1 innings. The only time he has faced the Mets this year was as a starter, where he allowed three runs, two earned, over 4.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Dominic Smith 1-2, 2B, K
• Tomas Nido 1-2
• Pete Alonso 0-1, BB
• Michael Conforto 0-1, BB
• Brandon Nimmo 0-3
• Kevin Pillar 0-1
• Jonathan Villar 0-2, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-3

Let’s Go Mets!

The inevitable happened yesterday – the Mets were eliminated from post-season contention. The Mets, who were in first place for a large chunk of the season, faced an absurd amount of injuries this year. Coupled with several key players underperforming, together, for long periods of time, the Mets spiraled out after a terrific start. Now they enter play at 73-81, a winning record impossible this year. If they win out though, they can finish the year at .500.

The Brewers however are on the verge of clinching the division. If they win this afternoon, or the Cardinals lose, they will clinch the division. The Mets could be witness to a big party. Knowing where the Mets were a few months ago, I would like to not witness that party this afternoon.

Carlos Carrasco looks to stop the bleeding tonight for the Mets. Over ten starts and 44.2 innings he has a 5.24 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 1.276 WHIP and a 77 ERA+. In his last three starts he’s looked like the Carrasco of old, pitching 16.0 innings and allowing only five earned runs, a 2.81 ERA, from 15 hits. Homers remain his weakness this year as he’s allowed slightly less than one per start, on average. The Brewers have the following career stats against Carlos:

• Willy Adames 3-5, K
• Luis Urias 1-2
• Daniel Vogelbach 3-11, HR, BB, 5 K
• Lorenzo Cain 15-40, 2B, 3B, BB, 9 K
• Eduardo Escobar 2-11, 2B, HR, 2 K
• Jackie Bradley Jr. 2-10, HR, 6 K
• Omar Narvaez 2-11, 2B, 3 BB, 3 K
• Avisail Garcia 9-39, 2B, HR, BB, 12 K
• Christian Yelich 2-13, 2B, 9 K
• Jace Peterson 0-2, BB, K
• Manny Pina 0-3, K
• Kolten Wong 0-4, K

The Mets bats draw Freddy Peralta. The all-star has pitched in 27 games and 139.0 innings this year with a 2.65 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 0.964 WHIP and a 160 ERA+. He’s coming off of an average start against the Cardinals where he allowed three runs from seven hits over 6.0 innings. The last month hasn’t been great to him, he’s allowed 13 runs, 11 earned, over 19.2 innings over his last five starts. That’s a 5.03 ERA. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 0-0, BB, SB
• Jose Peraza 3-11, 2B, K, SB
• Javier Báez 2-12, BB, 6 K
• Kevin Pillar 0-1, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets are knocking on the door to another season with a losing record – can they fight back?

If the Mets wanted to avoid a losing record, they need to win tonight. The Mets are sitting with 80 losses on the season, and have an elimination number of two. If they lose tonight, the best they can do this season is finish at .500. A loss and a Braves win tonight will eliminate the Mets from the division race.

The Mets will turn to Rich Hill tonight. Over 30 games this season and 148.2 innings, Hill has a 3.87 ERA, 4.33 FIP, 1.191 WHIP and a 102 ERA+. His numbers are similar as a Met – 11 starts and 53.1 innings with a 3.88 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.238 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. September has been great for Rich Hill though, in four games and 21.2 innings he has allowed only six runs, a 2.49 ERA. The Brewers have the following numbers against Hill:

• Lorenzo Cain 3-7, 2B, 3B, 2 BB, 3 K
• Christian Yelich 4-11, 3 2B, BB, 3 K
• Manny Pina 2-6
• Eduardo Escobar 0-1
• Kolten Wong 1-6
• Avisail Garcia 1-6, 2 K
• Luis Urias 0-2, 2 K
• Willy Adames 0-3, K

The Mets bats will get a look at Corbin Burnes who is having an excellent season. The All-Star has made 26 starts this season pitching 158.0 innings with a 2.34 ERA, 1.58 FIP (league leading), 0.973 WHIP and a 182 ERA+ (league leading). Burnes is also leading the league in HR/9 (0.3), K/9 (12.6) and K/BB (6.91). That all said, September has been average for Bunes. He has one great start where he held Cleveland scoreless over 8.0 innings while striking out 14 batters. In his other two starts he has allowed six runs over 11.0 innings from 12 hits while still striking out 18 batters. Against the Mets earlier this year, Burnes held the Mets to one run over 5.2 innings, scattering six hits and no walks. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Jose Peraza 1-1
• Pete Alonso 3-4, 2B
• Brandon Nimmo 1-3, 2B, K
• Tomas Nido 1-2
• Jeff McNeil 1-4, K
• Javier Báez 1-12, HR, 8 K
• Francisco Lindor 1-5, 3 K
• Kevin Pillar 0-2
• Dominic Smith 0-3, 2 K
• Michael Conforto 0-3

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets start a series with the Brewers tonight who have recently clinched a spot in the playoffs and could very well clinch the division this weekend, as their elimination number is down to three. On a similar note, the Mets could very well be eliminated from the division this weekend as their elimination number has dropped to four, going 2-8 in their last ten games. At this point in the season, it would be a struggle for the Mets to even return to .500 for the year, but still not impossible.

Tylor Megill looks to keep the dream alive for the Mets. Over 16 starts and 80.2 innings, Megill has a 4.57 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 1`.289 WHIP and a 87 ERA+. Megill is coming off of a rough start where he allowed six runs on nine hits and two walks over 3.0 innings against the Cardinals. Before that start, he had one of his best of the season, holding the Yankees to two runs on four hits and a walk over 7.0 innings. Last time Megill faced the Brewers, he held them to one run on two hits and two walks over 5.0 innings. The Brewers have the following numbers against Tylor:

• Omar Narvaez 1-1, HR
• Willy Adames 1-2, 2B
• Jace Peterson 0-1, BB
• Tyrone Taylor 0-2, 2 K
• Luis Urias 0-3
• Christian Yelich 0-2, 2 K
• Jackie Bradley Jr. 0-2

The Mets bats will get a look at Eric Lauer tonight Lauer has pitched in 22 games and made 18 starts pitching 107.0 innings with a 3.03 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 1.140 WHIP and a 140 ERA+. September has been a fantastic month for Lauer. He has allowed three runs over four starts and 24.2 innings, that’s a 1.09 ERA. Overall, he’s dropped his ERA from a season high value of 5.21 all the way to 3.03 since late June. The Mets have the following numbers against Lauer:

• J.D. Davis 1-1, 2B, BB
• Michael Conforto 4-4, HR
• Kevin Pillar 3-6, 2 HR, K
• Pete Alonso 1-1, BB
• Javier Báez 3-5, HR, BB, 2 K
• Jose Peraza 5-10, 2B, K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-1, BB, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets lost to the Red Sox last night and ticked even closer to being eliminated for the season. The Mets lost while the Braves won, dropping their elimination number down six, falling to 7.0 games out of first place. The Mets are only four losses away from guaranteeing a losing season as well.

On top of everything, last night was a come back win for the Red Sox. The Mets had the lead early and additional opportunities but they couldn’t hold the game together. They’ll look to rebound tonight behind Taijuan Walker.

Taijuan Walker has pitched in 28 games and 149.2 innings this year with a 4.27 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.169 WHIP and a 93 ERA+. He’s coming off of a start where he allowed two runs over 5.0 innings, in a game where he wanted go back out and pitch in the 6th inning. In his two starts before that, he allowed 11 runs over 10.1 innings. The Red Sox have the following numbers against Walker:

• Kevin Plawecki 1-1, 2B, BB
• Kyle Schwarber 3-8, 3 HR, BB, K
• J.D. Martinez 6-11, 2B, HR, K
• Jose Iglesias 3-7, 2B
• Alex Verdugo 1-3, K
• Xander Bogaerts 1-4,BB, K
• Christian Vazquez 0-4, BB, K
• Travis Shaw 0-2, K
• Rafael Devers 0-3
• Bobby Dalbec 0-2, K
• Hunter Renfroe 0-5, 3 K

The Mets bats draw Chris Sale tonight. Sale returned to the mound not too long ago for the first time since 2019. Did you know Sale actually is the all-time career leader in K/W at 5.36? There’s a gold box around it on Baseball Reference. Anyway, so far this year, in six starts and 30.0 innings, Sale has a 2.40 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 1.233 WHIP and a 199 ERA+. Sale had a bumpy start back on the 6th, he allowed five runs, only one earned, over 3.2 innings against the Rays, which is why his WHIP is so high. He bounced back his last time out allowing one run over 5.0 innings from two hits against the Orioles. Sale has the following numbers against the Mets:

• Francisco Lindor 12-28, 2 2B, HR, BB, 6 K
• James McCann 7-35, 2 2B, HR, 2 BB, 11 K
• Javier Báez 1-3, K
• Kevin Pillar 7-28, 2 2B, 6 K
• Jonathan Villar 2-18, 12 K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-1
• Jeff McNeil 0-1
• J.D. Davis 0-2, K
• Michael Conforto 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

The season is quickly coming to an end. The Mets winning on Sunday helped them keep their hopes alive a bit longer. With the Braves now winning two games in a row, the Mets chances are continuing to dwindle. Now the Mets have an almost impossible hurdle to jump, 6.0 games back in the division and 7.5 games back in the wild card. The Mets also own an elimination number of eight. To stay on track the Mets will have figure out a way to beat the Red Sox who are 86-65 and have a +1.5 game lead for the second wild card.

Marcus Stroman will get the start for the Mets tonight. Over 31 starts and 169.0 innings this year, Stroman has a 2.88 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 1.118 WHIP and a 138 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed three earned runs over 12.1 innings from eight hits and a walk. Stroman has seen an uptick in strikeouts too – 15 in his last two starts. That is his most strikeouts in back to back starts since mid August. He’s had a 3.07 ERA over his last five starts. The Red Sox have the following numbers against him:

• Kevin Plawecki 2-6, 2 2B, BB, K
• Hunter Renfroe 1-2, K
• Travis Shaw 5-17, 2 2B, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Xander Bogaerts 11-36, 2 2B, 2 HE, 2 BB, 8 K
• Christian Vazquez 7-19, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Kyle Schwarber 2-5, 2 K
• Rafael Devers 1-5, BB, K
• J.D. Martinez 2-11, 2B, BB, 3 K

The Mets bats will get a look at Eduardo Rodriguez tonight. Eduardo has made 28 starts, pitching 142.1 innings, with a 5.00 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 1.377 WHIP and a 95 ERA+. Eduardo has made three starts in September. In two of them, he’s allowed a combined two runs, one earned, over 12.0 innings from ten hits and two walks. In the other start he’s allowed six runs over 3.2 innings from eight hits. The three starts represent a season trend for Eduardo – he’s struggled at home. He has a 4.22 ERA over 17 starts on the road and a 6.32 ERA over 11 starts at home. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• James McCann 4-16, 2B, 2 HR, BB, 2 K
• Kevin Pillar 6-27, 2 2B, 4 K
• Jonathan Villar 3-15, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Francisco Lindor 2-11
• Jose Peraza 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

“Starting to worry about the Mets” – Jon Heyman

The Mets lost their fifth straight game last night as they continued to radically fall out of playoff contention. The Mets are now five games below .500, still are 5.5 games back in the division, and 7.0 games back in the Wild Card. The Mets five game losing streak has come at the same time that the Braves have gone on a four game losing streak and the Phillies on a four game winning streak. In what has become a theme for the last couple of months – the Mets have had chances to make a move and just couldn’t.

Rich Hill gets the start tonight as the Mets get the Sunday Night game for the second week in a row. In 29 games sand 144.0 innings this year, he has a 3.88 ERA, 4.44 FIP, 1.181 WHIP and a 102 ERA+. His numbers as a Met are nearly identical, pitching in 10 games and 48.2 innings with a 3.88 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 1.212 WHIP and a 103 ERA+. Rich Hill started off September dominating in back to back starts, allowing only one run on eight hits over 12.0 innings. His last start was not as dominating – allowing three runs over 5.0 innings against the Cardinals. Tonight is his first start against the Phillies this year, and the Phillies have the following numbers against him:

• Freddy Galvis 4-14, 3B, 2 K
• J.T. Realmuto 1-3, 2 K
• Andrew McCutchen 4-14, 2B, 2 K
• Bryce Harper 1-4, K
• Didi Gregorius 0-1, BB, K
• Jean Segura 0-4, BB, K
• Brad Miller 0-4, K
• Matt Joyce 0-2, K
• Ronald Torreyes 0-2, K

The Mets bats draw Kyle Gibson in the series finale. Gibson was a big trade deadline acquisition for the Phillies. As a Ranger he made 19 starts, pitched 113.0 innings with a 2.87 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.177 WHIP and a 152 ERA+. In nine games and 52.0 innings with the Phillies he has a 4.85 ERA, 4.04 FIP, 1.346 WHIP and a 85 ERA+. His downturn has been a more recent phenomenon, starting with a start against the Marlins on September 3rd where he allowed eight runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings. Overall in September Gibson has allowed 15 earned runs from 20 hits and 6 walks over 15.0 innings. Opponents are hitting .323/.382/.565 against him this month. He did face the Mets earlier this year and held the Mets to one run on four hits and four walks over 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Michael Conforto 5-7, 2B, HR, 2 BB
• Brandon Nimmo 2-5, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Kevin Pillar 4-11, 2 2B, HR, 3 BB, 4 K
• Jonathan Villar 6-14, 2B, BB, K
• Francisco Lindor 14-40, 2B, 5 BB, 5 K
• Jeff McNeil 1-5, 2B, K
• James McCann 6-25, BB, 6 K
• Pete Alonso 0-5, BB, 2 K

Let’s Go Mets!