The Mets look to split the series with the Marlins this afternoon behind a spot start from Robert Stock. Saturday was a quiet day for the Mets in multiple ways. On the field the Mets scored only two runs on seven hits, going 0-for-1 with RISP and committed two errors. Off the field the Mets didn’t make any trades despite avoiding using anyone in the bullpen that could be traded.
The roster the Mets have this morning will be quite different than the roster that takes the field again Tuesday night in Cleveland. The MLB trade deadline is basically here!
Robert Stock last pitched for the Mets in 2021, allowing three runs over five innings in two games. Last season he pitched 2 2/3 innings over two games for the Red Sox, allowing three runs from four hits. He has pitched in eight games across Syracuse and Brooklyn this season totaling 21 2/3 innings with a 2.91 ERA and 0.831 WHIP. The Mets need him to put up innings his afternoon. As much as possible the Mets are trying to avoid using anyone in the bullpen who may be moved today or tomorrow.
The Mets bats will face off against Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara has made 23 starts and is leading the league with 150 2/3 innings pitched. He has a 3.82 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 1.208 WHIP and a 105 ERA+. If the Marlins are going to go for it, they need to build around Alcantara who will be a free agent in 2027. If the Marlins decide to sell, why is Alcantara even making this start? Alcantara is coming off of a terrific game against the Phillies where he held them scoreless over seven innings, scattering four hits and a walk. The Mets have the following career stats against him:
- Francisco Alvarez 1-3
- Brett Baty 0-4, K
- Bo Bichette 1-6
- Francisco Lindor 10-33, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 4 K
- Jorge Polanco 0-3
- Luis Robert Jr. 0-3
- Marcus Semien 4-10, HR, 2 K
- Tyrone Taylor 0-6, 2 K
- Luis Torrens 1-5, 2 K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Hug Watch. The trade deadline is the number one story of the game. Overnight the Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal, the top starting pitcher available for trade. This should get the market for all of the other starting pitchers moving. In addition to Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta, the Mets have three or four relievers they move at the deadline. By the time you are reading this someone may have already been traded. Then there are hitters like Tyrone Taylor who smashed his 10th home run of the season yesterday. Keep your eyes peeled for hugs!
- Francisco Lindor. Lindor has now recorded two hits in a game, in back-to-back games. Over his last three games he ahs gone 5-for-11 with two runs and home run. In his last 16 games played he is hitting .311/.400/.639 with five home runs. He’s starting to turn it on and if he keeps this up for a few more weeks he’ll still finish 2026 with a nice, statistical season.
- Contain the back of the lineup. The Marlins bottom-third of the lineup on Saturday (Sanoja, Ruiz and Conine) combined to go 6-for-11 with three runs scored, three RBI’s, and two home runs. The Marlins lineup as a whole struggled, going 2-for-11 with RISP and leaving 10 runners on base. The score could have been a lot worse with how good the bottom of the lineup was hitting. Don’t let them repeat that today!
Let’s Go Mets!
