There’s a big reunion happening at Citi Field tonight. Pete Alonso returns to Queens for the first time since signing a massive contract with the Orioles in the off-season. The Mets did not offer fan favorite Pete Alonso a contract, essentially cutting ties with their franchise home run leader. Alonso comes to town with the Orioles chasing a playoff spot. The Mets are out of it for this season, but have playing much better baseball for the last six weeks. Should be a fun series with old friends getting to see each other!
Jonah Tong has pitched in four games for the Mets this season totaling 15 innings with a 4.80 ERA, 4.77 FIP, 1.333 WHIP and an 88 ERA+. He allowed four runs over five innings against the Marlins last week in his return to the rotation while striking out seven batters. Tong struck out the side to start the game, allowed four runs in the second inning, and then didn’t allow any more runs for the rest of the start. This will be Tong’s first start against the Orioles and no one on the Orioles has faced Tong in a Major League game.
Brandon Young has made 25 starts pitching 140 2/3 innings for the Orioles this season with a 3.71 ERA, 4.51 FIP, 1.351 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. He’s coming off of a rough start where he allowed six run runs over 3 2/3 to Cleveland. In his last two starts combined he has allowed nine runs off 12 hits including three home runs over 10 1/3 innings. Before that he allowed only three runs over 12 2/3 innings. The Mets hitters have the following career stats against Young:
- Brett Baty 2-2, 2B
- Bo Bichette 0-3, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 0-3
- Christopher Morel 0-2, BB, K
- Marcus Semien 1-3, 2B, BB
- Juan Soto 1-2, K
- Luis Torrens 0-2, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Pete Alonso. Pete Alonso is having another Pete Alonso season. He has a 4.1 bWAR, his highest since his 4.4 bWAR in 2022. He is currently leading the league with 100 RBI’s and has smashed 35 homers. His 143 OPS+ is right up there with his 144 OSPS+ last season. Pete Alonso was lighting the world on fire in 16 game stretch in the middle of August where he had nine home runs (.484/.543/.952). He’s cooled off a bit in the 17 games since hitting only three home runs hitting .213/.355/.361 but he did get on base three times on Sunday.
- Shaking off Sunday. The Mets bats on Saturday were on fire belting six home runs. Sunday was the exact opposite with the Mets only picking up three hits. Overall the Mets bats have looked pretty good of late and they had a tough pitching matchup on Sunday. Shake it off and come back stronger today.
- Milestone watch. Francisco Lindor is one home run away from 300 on his career. Carson Benge is three home runs away from a 20-20 season. Both would be a nice career marks to close out the season!
Let’s Go Mets!
