213 Miles From Shea

The Mets evened the series at 1 game a piece thanks to Pete Alonso late last night. Thor wasn’t as dominant as he was last week, and a throwing error from Rosario didn’t help but finally the Mets bats woke up to keep the team in the game. In the top of the 9th, Alonso hit a 449-ft homer to push the go-ahead run across the plate.

The Mets are going to need a lot more of that this afternoon as they try their first bullpen game of the season. Steven Matz is out and the hope is that he only misses one turn in the rotation. Rather than dipping into Syracuse for Hector Santiago, the Mets acquired Wilmer Font from the Rays who should be able to toss 70 pitches today. After that, bullpen! Wilmer Font is 1-0 over 10 games and 14.0 innings this year with a 5.79 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 1.429 WHIP and 76 ERA+. In his career (37 games and 65.0 innings between 2012 and now, with a gap between 2014-2016 where he didn’t play at all in the bigs) he has a 6.51 ERA, 6.04 FIP, 1.538 WHIP and 66 ERA+.

The Mets draw Matt Stahm today, who is 1-2 over 6 starts and 32.2 innings with a 3.03 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.102 WHIP and 137 ERA+ in his first year as a starter. His first start against the Braves was his worst, allowing 5 runs in 2.2 innings. Since then he has allowed 7 run, 6 earned over 30.0 innings,a 1.80 ERA. He tossed one inning in relief against the Mets last year walking 1 and striking out 1. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Todd Frazier 0-2, K
• Robinson Cano 0-1, K (Who also collected 4 hits last night!)
• Adeiny Hechavarria 0-1, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-0, BB
• Amed Rosario 0-1, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets fell to 4 games below .500 last night as the offense continued their slumber. At least for deGrom yesterday the bats sleeping through his good work was nothing new as it was the defining characteristic of the Mets hitting ability during his starts last year. Jacob tossed his second strong start in a row, holding the Padres to 2 runs over 7.0 innings, but the Mets bats could only get 4 hits, and one of them was from Jacob himself.

When the Mets needed to win a game when the offense was missing, they turned to the God of Thunder, who threw a complete game and hit a solo homer, the only run of the game game. Noah Syndergaard was a one man baseball team last week and the Mets may need him to do that again tonight. He is 2-3 over 7 games and 43.0 innings this year with a 5.02 ERA (fell from 6.35 in one start), 3.22 FIP, 1.279 WHIP and a 78 ERA+. The last time he has faced the Padres was back in 2016 where he allowed 2 runs over 6.0 innings from 6 hits and 2 walks. The Padres have the following numbers against him:

• Eric Hosmer 1-8, BB< 3 K
• Ian Kinsler 4-6, 2 K
• Greg Garcia 0-3, BB, 2 K
• Manny Machado 2-3, 2B, K
• Wil Myers 0-3

For a second straight game the Mets will face a pitcher who made his pitching debut in 2019. Today the Mets get Cal Quantrill, making his second big league start. In his first game he allowed 2 runs over 5.2 innings from 6 hits and a walk. Before getting called up this year, he pitched 5 games in the minors going 25.0 innings with a 4.68 ERA, 1.360 WHIP.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets got swept yesterday and look to find their footing tonight against the Padres. Now two games under .500 and facing injury woes for two starting pitchers (Matz and Vargas), the Mets need some good news.

And hopefully, Jacob deGrom can provide it! Jacob is 2-3 over 6 games and 33.0 innings with a 3.82 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 1.242 WHIP and 102 ERA+. After allowing 14 runs over 13.0 innings in three starts, last time out he returned to his dominant self holding the Reds scoreless over 7.0 innings. He was great against the Padres last year, holding them to 3 runs, 2 earned over 15.1 innings (1.17 ERA) while striking out 18. The Padres have the following numbers against deGrom:

• Wil Myers 4-17, 2 2B, HR, BB, 8 K
• Eric Hosmer 3-9, BB, 3 K
• Manny Machado 4-9, BB, K
• Austin Hedges 0-6, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jose Pirela 2-6, 2B, BB, K
• Hunter Renfroe 1-3, HR

The Mets bats draw the rookie pitcher tonight who is off to an amazing start to his major league career. This is bad news for a team whose bats have hit quite the slumber over the last week and seem unable to wake up. Chris Paddack is 2-1 over 6 starts and 33.0 innings with a 1.91 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 0.697 WHIP (league leading) and 216 ERA+. His 3.8 H/9 is the best in the league as well. He’s been a tick more human in his last three starts, allowing 5 runs over 19.0 innings leading to a 2.37 ERA but opponents are still batting only .123 against him.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets didn’t need to go to Syracuse for pitching depth. They had the option of signing Gio Gonzalez, they could have (and still could) sign Dallas Keuchel. But they didn’t do either of these things and now two starters are potentially injured.

Although they traded away a prospect who could start this off-season, Justin Dunn, the Mets did sign a bunch of guys on NRI’s to compete for roster spots and if the injuries are minor in healing time, they could be a stop gap.

Enter Hector Santiago.

I lived in Newark for 7 years and I’ve been teaching in Newark for 8, so I have a massive soft spot for Hector Santiago who played little league in the Brick City, probably in the park across the street from where I used to live. I wrote a profile about him a few months ago, which you can read here.

Back in February I imagined Santiago as lefty reliever to compete with Daniel Zamora. As the Mets signed more lefties to NRIs it became clearer that Santiago was going to be rotation depth.

2018 MLB: 49 G, 7 GS, 102.0 IP, 4.41 ERA, 5.12 FIP, 6.37 DRA, 1.52 WHIP
Career: 238 G, 137 GS, 887.0 IP, 4.05 ERA, 4.86 FIP, 5.74 DRA, 1.37 WHIP
2019 MiLB: 6 G, 5 GS, 30.0 IP, 4.20 ERA, 1.400 WHIP

He’s not going through a renaissance at Syracuse but he’s also not deteriorating. If he gets called up, I would assume he pitches around, probably slightly worse than his stats in 2018 which isn’t the worst thing in the world if he’s making starts for two weeks or for a #5 starter. As soon as he becomes a regular, #4 starter that’s when the Mets need to panic and decide what are the goals this season.

The Mets try to avoid losing three games in a row to the Brewers this afternoon behind Jason Vargas in a game where they desperately need him to pitch deep. Last night the Mets lost in 18 innings and there was plenty of blame to go around. The Mets pitching kept them in the game, all 18 innings of it, but the offense was just flat until Alonso hit a homer to push the game into extra innings. The Mets bats would continue to be flat for another entire game of baseball until the 18th, burning lots of pitchers doing a phenomenal job along the way. Making things more difficult for the Mets, Amed Rosario‘s defensive woes continued and the umpiring of the strike zone fell apart in the 18th and the Mets ended up losing.

But it’s just one game. A game that took the Mets below .500 but still just a game. Now they have to regroup and just do better (hitters), and find that extra wind after too many innings last night (pitchers).

Jason Vargas is 1-1 over 6 games and 5 starts totaling 20.1 innings this year with a 5.75 ERA, 6.13 FIP, 1.721 WHIP and 68 ERA+. In his last three starts he has pitched 14.0 innings with a 1.93 ERA and a .180 opponents batting average dropping his ERA from a 14.21 to a 5.75. He had one start against the Brewers last year and it wasn’t good, allowing 5 runs off 6 hits in 3.0 innings. The Brewers have the following numbers against him:

• Lorenzo Cain 3-13, 2 BB, 4 K
• Tyler Saladino 2-11, 2B, 2 BB, 4 K
• Mike Moustakas 2-11, BB, 2 K
• Eric Thames 3-8, 2 2B
• Ryan Braun 0-4, BB, K
• Ben Gamel 2-3, 2B, K
• Jesus Aguilar 1-2, HR

Zach Davies is going to try to save the bullpen of the Brewers today. Over his 6 starts this season he has pitched 32.2 innings with a 1.38 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.316 WHIP and 317 ERA+. If those numbers look like they don’t tell the same story, it’s because he has pitched 7 innings once this year, and into the 6th twice, he’s been great but pulled early. For the Mets, they need to be patient and let him walk them. In two starts against the Mets last year, the Mets cored 9 runs off 13 hits and 4 walks in 8.1 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Michael Conforto 2-10, 2 2B, 4 BB, 2 K
• Wilson Ramos 3-6
• Todd Frazier 3-5, 2 HR
• Adeiny Hechavarria 0-4, K
• Amed Rosario 1-4
• Brandon Nimmo 3-3, 2 2B, 3B

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets dropped the first game of the series last night thanks again to a lackluster offense that is in a week long sleep. Matz was average, but kept the Mets in the game holding the Brewers to three runs, and that was all the Brewers could muster. The Mets just couldn’t get the hits to fall in a row and only pushed one run across the plate.

Because the Baseball Gods have a wonderful sense of humor, the Mets will face Gio Gonzalez for his second start of the season. His first start was also against the Mets. He did well against the Mets, as that was around the time the Mets bats’ slumber started, holding the Mets to only 2 runs off 6 hits and a walk. The Mets would go on to win the game and hopefully something similar happens today. The Mets have the following numbers against Gio:

• Juan Lagares 19-47, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 4 BB, 7 K
• Todd Frazier 6-21, 2 2B, 2 BB, 9 K
• Robinson Cano 1-12, 2 BB, 5 K
• Amed Rosario 3-13, 2 2B, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 1-6
• Wilson Ramos 0-5, BB, K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-5, K
• Pete Alonso 1-3, 2B

Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard were both struggling going into this week and put together incredible starts. Jason Vargas and Steven Matz have been steady their last several starts. Zack Wheeler is next on the list to find himself. He’s had some bright games punctuate through the darkness, but not enough leading to a 5.05 ERA, 3.57 FIP, 1.402 WHIP and 76 ERA+ through 6 starts and 35.2 innings this year. In one start against the Brewers last year he allowed 4 runs over 6.0 innings. The Brewers have the following numbers against Wheeler:

• Christian Yelich 5-18, HR, 2 BB, 5 K
• Gio Gonzalez 0-9, 5 K
• Yasmani Grandal 2-9, HR, 2 K
• Lorenzo Cain 3-5, BB
• Travis Shaw 0-5, BB, 2 K
• Jesus Aguilar 2-3, HR
• Ryan Braun 0-3, K
• Mike Moustakas 1-2, HR
• Hernan Perez 2-3, 2B

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was the Noah Syndergaard show and the Mets sure needed it. Going into the game yesterday both Diaz and Lugo were unavailable in the pen. Combined with Familia on the IL the top 3 late inning relievers were out on the Mets roster. In general the bullpen was overtaxed and Syndergaard desperately needed a positive start after his last three.

Noah Syndergaard ended up tossing a complete game shutout, holding the Reds to 4 hits and hit a solo homer which ended up being the only run the Mets scored all game. He was the entire game.

Now the Mets head to Milwaukee to avenge their lost series last weekend. Steven Matz opens tonight. He is 3-1 over 6 starts and 29.1 innings with a 3.68 ERA, 4.72 FIP, 1.091 WHIP and a 105 ERA+. In his last two starts he’s allowed 3 runs over 13.0 innings and if you take his terrible start this year, he’s actually allowed only 8 total runs, 6 earned over 29.1 innings. His last start, 2 runs over 7.0 innings, was against the Brewers who have the following numbers against him:

• Christian Yelich 5-18, K
• Hernan Perez 2-14, HR
• Ryan Braun 3-11, 2B, HR, K
• Lorenzo Cain 2-10, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jesus Aguilar 1-7, 2B, BB, K
• Zach Davies, 1-5, K
• Orlando Arcia 1-6, K
• Tyler Saladino 2-5, 2 BB, K

The Mets will get another look at Brandon Woodruff, who lasted started against the Mets. Brandon is 3-1 over 6 starts and 31.1 innings this year with a 5.17 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 1.468 WHIP, and 84 ERA+. His last start against the Mets was his best of the season, allowing 1 run over 5.0 innings off 6 hits and a walk. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 2-3
• Robinson Cano 0-3, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-3
• Wilson Ramos 1-3
• Michael Conforto 0-1, BB, K
• JD Davis 1-3, K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-2
• Amed Rosario 0-2

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets will go for the series split this afternoon as they take on the Reds for the final game of a 4 game set. Last night was a vintage deGrom night. He was masterful, he allowed no runs and the Mets scored no runs for him. With the offense only mustering 4 hits on the night, and the bullpen allowing a run in the 9th, the Mets lost by a very frustrating score of 1-0.

Now the Mets will turn to Syndergaard who, like deGrom, really needs a positive start today. He is 1-3 over 6 starts and 34.0 innings this year with a 6.35 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 1.471 WHIP and 62 ERA+. In his last three starts he has allowed 16 runs, 14 earned over 15.0 innings. In one start against the Reds last year he allowed 4 runs over 6.1 innings from 6 hits and a walk. The Reds have the following numbers against Noah:

• Derek Dietrich 7-22, 2 2B, 2 K
• Matt Kemp 1-14, 6 K
• Eugenio Suarez 4-15
• Joey Votto 2-14, BB, 6 K
• Tucker Barnhart 0-8, 2 K
• Jose Peraza 3-7, 2B, K
• Yasiel Puig 1-6, K
• Scott Schebler 0-4, 2 BB, K

The Mets bats are on a week long journey to find themselves. It’s unclear if they have been found but the players will go looking again today with the help of Tyler Mahle. He’s 0-3 over 5 starts and 28.0 innings with a 4.50 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.393 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. In his last three starts he has allowed 13 runs over 17.0 innings, a 6.88 ERA. The last time Tyler faced the Mets was in 2017, in his third ever major league start, where he allowed 3 runs over 4.0 innings from 6 hits and 4 walks. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Keon Broxton 0-3, K
• Juan Lagares 0-2
• Brandon Nimmo 1-1, 2B, BB
• Dominic Smith 1-1, BB

Lets Go Mets!

If you’re a pessimist, yesterday’s game alternated between being disappointing and satisfying. Before the game, all we knew was Vargas was going to start and if needed, Familia was going to have to pitch a 6-out save. Well Vargas started and he was good. He allowed only 1 run, a homer to the last batter he faced in the 6th, going toe to toe with ace Luis Castillo. The Mets then scratched out a run and went into the 8th with a 1 run lead for the rare 6-out save.

Things at this point looked good. Familia somehow got 3 outs on 7 pitches. Things should be great. The Mets then added one more run. Fantastic. Breathing room. Into the 9th. Two quick outs. Wonderful.

And then everything collapsed and somehow over an excruciating long amount of time the Mets lost the lead completely. But they rallied back, got the win and now head into a pivotal game.

Tonight is pivotal because the bullpen needs rest and the ace of the staff has the ability to give them said rest except he has not looked sharp as of late. He is 2-3 over 5 starts and 26.0 innings this year with a 4.85 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 1.385 WHIP and 82 ERA+. Over his last three starts he has pitched 13.0 innings allowing 14 runs. He had one start against the Reds last year where he held them to 4 hits and 1 walk over 6.0 scoreless innings. The Reds have the following numbers against deGrom:

• Derek Dietrich 6-26, BB, 13 K
• Scooter Gennett 6-19, 2 2B, HR, BB, 6 K
• Yasiel Puig 3-17, 2 HR, 2 BB, 5 K
• Matt Kemp 4-16, 2 2B, 3 K
• Jose Peraza 3-9, 3 K
• Joey Votto 1-8, BB, 2 K

The Mets bats will try to get going against Anthony DeSclafani who is 1-1 over 5 starts and 25.1 innings this season with a 4.26 ERA, 5.02 FIP, 1.263 WHIP and 106 ERA+. He’s been great in his last two starts allowing 1 run over 12.0 innings from 6 hits, 4 walks and 12 K’s. It’s been a while since the Mets have faced Anthony. The last time was in 2016 where the Mets tagged him for 2 runs, 3 earned off 7 hits and 2 walks in 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Wilson Ramos 2-8, 2B, K
• Michael Conforto 1-4, 2B
• Keon Broxton 1-2
• Juan Lagares 1-1

Lets Go Mets!

The Mets just couldn’t squeak out a couple more runs early last night against the Reds and it ended up costing them the game as Diaz allowed the winning run for the Reds on a go-ahead homer in the 9th inning. Wheeler had one bad inning that allowed 4 runs and limited the damage to just that and Lugo/Familia had clean innings behind him. The Mets bats just couldn’t get a hit when it counted and now they have to face one of the strongest pitchers on the Reds staff.

Luis Castillo 3-1 over 6 starts this season and 36.2 innings. He has a 1.23 ERA (league leading), 2.54 FIP, 0.955 WHIP, 369 ERA+ (league leading) and a 0.2 HR/9 (league leading). This is a tremendous improvement from last year where he posted a 4.30 ERA, 4.32 FIP, 1.220 WHIP and 98 ERA+ in 31 games and 169.2 innings. He made one start against the Mets last year where he allowed 2 runs off 3 hits and a walk in 5.2 innings of work. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Keon Broxton 1-5, BB, 2 K
• Michael Conforto 0-2, BB, K
• Todd Frazier 1-2
• Tomas Nido 0-2
• Amed Rosario 1-2
• Jason Vargas 0-1

The Mets will hope for a longer outing from Vargas tonight. He was effective in his last start, but still short on innings. Over 5 games and 4 starts this season he has a 7.20 ERA, 6.40 FIP, 1.933 WHIP and 56 ERA+ in 15.0 innings of work. In his last two starts he has allowed 2 ER over 8.2 innings, a 2.08 ERA. He faced the Reds twice last year and it wasn’t pretty, allowing 7 runs off 9 hits and 2 walks in 4.1 innings. The Reds have the following numbers against Vargas:

• Jose Iglesias 0-8, 3 K
• Eugenio Suarez 4-7, 2 2B
• Matt Kemp 2-4
• Jose Peraza 2-4
• Luis Castillo 0-2
• Joey Votto 0-0, BB

Lets Go Mets!