The Mets salvaged the last game of the series against the Dodgers yesterday with a comeback win. This week the Mets head deep into hug-watch territory with MLB trade deadline one week away. After yesterday’s game Peralta said he probably made his last start with the Mets. The Mets are off on the trade deadline and will probably have a very different looking team on the fourth in Cleveland.
The Mets and Braves will also have to battle the weather this week. There is a chance of a thunderstorm this afternoon and tonight. Then there is much better chance of rain Tuesday and Tuesday night. As of now Wednesday looks the worst for rain.
Zac Thornton makes his fifth start tonight. Over his first four starts he has tossed 23 1/3 innings with a 1.93 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 0.857 WHIP and a 219 ERA+. He has already accumulated a 1.1 bWAR which puts him seventh on the Mets pitching staff. He’s trailing starting pitchers Clay Holmes (1.9), Nolan McLean (1.8) and Christian Scott (1.7). In his last twos tarts he has allowed no runs from five hits and three walks over 13 innings while striking out seven batters. This will be the first time in his career facing the Braves or anyone on the Braves roster.
Martín Pérez has pitched in 19 games, making 15 starts this season totaling 85 1/3 innings with a 3.38 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.195 WHIP and a 125 ERA+. Pérez had three rough starts in a row leading to the All-Star break where he allowed 12 runs, 11 earned, over 13 1/3 innings (7.43 ERA, 8.14 FIP). This includes a start against the Mets where he allowed five runs, four earned, over 4 1/3 innings. He bounced back in his first start after the All-Star Break allowing no runs on one hit and four walks over four innings against the Padres. The Mets have the following career stats against him:
- Francisco Alvarez 0-4, 2 BB, K
- Brett Baty 2-4, 2B
- Carson Benge 0-4, BB
- Bo Bichette 6-12, 2 2B, BB, K
- A.J. Ewing 1-2, HR, K
- Francisco Lindor 9-22, 2B, 5 BB, K
- Jorge Polanco 4-14, 2B, HR, 2 BB, K
- Luis Robert Jr. 4-10, 2B, BB
- Marcus Semien 10-39, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 8 K
- Tyrone Taylor 2-5, BB
- Luis Torrens 0-7, 2 BB, 3 K
- Eric Wagaman 0-2, 2 K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Marcus Semien. Semien had a huge home run yesterday to give the Mets some late insurance runs. In his last four games Semien has gone 2-for-11 with both hits being home runs. He is getting on base at a rate far below last season (.305 vs .263) but his power is some what comparable (.364 SLG last season to .344 this year). Hopefully as he gets healthier he starts to hit closer to what he did last season.
- Bo Bichette. Bichette is one of the more interesting names heading into the deadline. Bichette has an opt out after the season (and the next season). It’s difficult to imagine Bichette getting as lucrative as a deal next year, but you can’t table the idea of Bichette getting on a hot streak. The Mets have already paid 40 million of the 42 million he’s owed this year. Bichette has had two hits in two tames in a row. Since July 3rd he has hit .294/.347/.324 over 18 games. He’s getting on base a lot more, but has seen his power drop off a bit.
- Tyrone Taylor. We mentioned yesterday that Tyrone Taylor was a player to watch and he hit a massive, go-ahead, three-run home run for the Mets yesterday. In his last five games he has gone 5-for-10 with two home runs, a double and six RBI’s. He’s only started two of those games! Since returning from the injured list Taylor is hitting .382/.462/.941 with five home runs over 18 games.
Let’s Go Mets!
