The Mets finally snapped their seven game losing streak yesterday with a 6-2 win over the Phillies. Now the Mets have a chance to win the series!
Today is a good example of the predicament the Mets pitching performance has put the whole team in. David Peterson struggled for a good chunk of the season and the Mets traded him to the Cubs. Peterson had a solid debut for the Cubs last night allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings. This should have been a Kodai Senga game but his recent performance has sent him to the bullpen. Can the Mets win today’s bullpen game that will probably have Senga in it at some point as a bulk reliever?
Cionel Pérez signed as a free agent with the Mets in early May after being released by the Nationals. In 16 innings over 16 games with the Nationals Pérez had a 6.19 ERA, 5.67 FIP, 1.688 WHIP and a 68 ERA+. In 10 games, 14 2/3 innings with the Mets Pérez has been much more effective with a 3.68 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 1.023 WHIP and a 114 ERA+. The Mets have used him for multiple innings of relief several times with his longest outing being 2 1/3 innings against the Cubs earlier this week. He just pitched two innings against the Phillies Friday night holding them to two hits and no runs. The Phillies have the following stats against him:
- Alec Bohm 3-7, 2B
- Justn Crawford 0-2, K
- Bryce Harper 5-5, 2B, HR
- Derek Hill 0-1, K
- Brandon Marsh 0-2
- J.T. Realmuto 0-3, BB, K
- Gabriel Rincones Jr. 0-1. K
- Kyle Schwarber 3-6, HR, BB
- Edmundo Sosa 0-1
- Bryson Stott 1-4
- Trea Turner 1-1
Jesús Luzardo has made 16 starts totaling 92 1/3 innings with a 4.00 ERA, 3.12 FIP, 1.300 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. He’s coming off of a start where he allowed five runs over 6 2/3 innings while striking out 13 batters. It was his second time in his last four starts where he has gone at least six innings but allowed five earned runs. It’s also his third consecutive start with at least eight strikeouts. The Mets have the following career stats against Luzardo:
- Francisco Alvarez 0-6
- Brett Baty 1-3
- Bo Bichette 2-2, HR
- Francisco Lindor 7-28, 2 BB, 4 K
- Ronny Mauricio 0-4, BB, 4 K
- Juan Soto 7-20, 2B, HR, 5 BB, 3 K
- Tyrone Taylor 3-9, 2B, K
- Luis Torrens 2-8, HR, 2 K
- Mark Vientos 2-15, 2B, 2 BB, 6 K
- Eric Wagaman 4-10, 2B, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Kodai Senga. Senga was bumped out of the rotation after his poor start earlier this week where he allowed seven earned runs over 3 2/3 innings. He has allowed nine home runs in his last five major league outings leading to a career worst 2.9 HR/9 this season. The Mets are hoping that Senga can recover his pre-injury 2025 form out of the pen. The only bright spot right now in Senga’s stat line are strikeouts. He has 34 K’s over 27 2/3 innings which is an 11.1 K/9 (career 10.2).
- Lindor Triple Hitter Again. This is more a statistical anomaly than anything else. Lindor hit two triples early in the season then landed on the injured list a few weeks later. Last night he hit his third triple on the season. He now has more triples (3) than doubles (2) and homers (2). The most he has ever hit in a season is five which he did in 2022.
- Can the top of the lineup perform again? The top of the lineup came through for the Mets with Benge and Soto getting on base a combined five times. The first four Mets hitters (Benge, Soto, Bichette, Lindor) combined for four RBI’s and five runs scored. After Friday’s disappointing performance at the plate, yesterday was refreshing!
Let’s Go Mets!
