The Mets look to snap a seven game losing streak this afternoon. Last night felt like a trip back in time to a couple of months ago, where the Mets got a strong pitching performance but the Mets bats couldn’t do much as the Mets lost 2-1. An over-the-wall catch by Derek Hill robbed Juan Soto of a home run that would have tipped things in the Mets favor. The Mets have now dropped two games by only one run in a row. Things look bleak right now.
Christian Scott returns to the rotation this afternoon after landing on the injured list with a right hip impingement. Scott has made nine starts this season totaling 40 2/3 innings with a 3.10 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 1.352 WHIP and a 133 ERA+. Scott’s last start was his worst of the season where he allowed four runs over 4 2/3 innings. No one on the Phillies roster has faced Scott before in a Major League game.
Alan Rangel makes his first major league start this afternoon for the Phillies. He has pitched in two games out of the bullpen this season, totaling eight innings allowing two runs from eight hits, including a home run. Last week he pitched after an opener and tossed five innings of one run ball. Rangel has pitched in 14 games in Lehigh Valley this season totaling 70 innings with a 3.99 ERA. This will be his first game against the Mets and no one on the Mets roster has faced Rangel in a Major League game.
Three Things To Watch For:
- Step 1, get the reinforcements back. The Mets roster has taken some pretty large steps to getting back to normal over the last couple of days. The Mets have seen Francisco Lindor, Ronny Mauricio, Tyrone Taylor and Christian Scott all rejoin the team. The vibe boost of getting everyone back has been crushed though by the Mets seven game losing streak and the dismissal of Carlos Mendoza.
- Step 2, get everyone going. Francisco Lindor finally got his first hit since returning to the majors in his last at bat last night. Tyrone Taylor who was activated before yesterday’s game hasn’t seen any time yet. Ronny Mauricio has gone 1-for-8 with a double in his first two games back.
- Careful on the base paths. Mets runs have been at a premium over the last couple of days and aggressive base running hasn’t been helping. A.J. Ewing, who is currently second on the Mets with 8 stolen bases, was caught stealing twice last night, bringing him to five on the season. The Mets as a team have been caught 20 times, which is 10th worst in the majors, and only eight behind the league leading Miami Marlins. But the Mets have only successfully stolen 39 bags, which is 24th in the league. Put another way, everyone above the Mets for being caught stealing, have successfully stolen way more bags.
Let’s Go Mets!
