213 Miles From Shea

I’m not 100% where to start with yesterday because a lot happened. The Mets held a press conference with David Wright announcing that he would suit up at Citi Field on 9/29 for the final time. Then the Mets had to play two games and won both! Matz was average but the bullpen was able to keep it together behind him, and the team got bailed out by some back to back power. Then in the night cap, Vargas was good again and Nido provided the power. In what seemed like a pipe dream, then a far reaching dream, is now possible: Conforto only has 5 homers left to get to 30 before the end of the season.

Noah Syndergaard takes the mound after his outing ended abruptly when he got hit by a come backer. He is 11-3 over 21 starts and 128.1 innings with a 3.44 ERA, 2.70 FIP, 1.278 WHIP, and a 107 ERA+. In his last start he allowed 4 runs over 6.2 innings and it was the second start in his last three where he allowed 4 runs (also his 3rd in his last 5). Noah Syndergaard has the following numbers against the Red Sox:

• Phillips 4-12
• Betts 0-3, K
• Bogaerts 2-3
• Holt 1-3
• Kinsler 2-3
• Martinez 2-3, 2B
• Nunez 1-3
• Swihart 1-3
• Bradley Jr. 1-1, 2B

The Mets bats will get a look at Hector Velazquez who is in his second season with the Red Sox. The 29 year old is 7-2 over 41 games and 7 starts logging 76.2 innings posting a 3.29 ERA, 4.34 FIP, 1.500 WHIP and 132 ERA+. In his last start in September he allowed 2 runs over 4.0 innings. He made back to back starts against the Rays in the middle of August where he allowed 1 run over 4.0 innings and then 8 runs over 2.2 innings. Even if he is dealing, it will be surprising if he is able to go deep in this game. No one on the Mets has seen him in a major league game.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Marlins have not announced the afternoon starter as I write this game preview this morning, but it looks like Jeff Brigham will finally get his second big league start. He was supposed to start game one of the series, then game two of yesterday’s doubleheader and now game two of today’s doubleheader.

Jason Vargas, rained out last night, will be his counterpart today. Vargas is 5-9 on the year over 17 starts and 73.1 innings with a 6.75 ERA, 5.50 FIP, 1.595 WHIP and a 55 ERA+. After a stretch of good starts, everything had to come to an end for Vargas who in his last start against the Dodgers on the 4th he allowed 5 runs, 4 earned from 6 hits in 3.1 innings. Before that game he allowed only 5 runs in 22.2 innings through 4 games, his best 4 games of the season. His last start against the Marlins was all the way back on May 21st where he allowed no runs over 5.0 innings, his first good start of the year. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Castro 3-10, 3 2B, 2 BB
• Anderson 0-2
• Brinson 0-2
• Hernandez 0-2, 2 K
• Realmuto 0-2
• Rojas 1-2

In Jeff Brigham first start on the 2nd he allowed 3 runs off 4 hits and 4 walks in 3.0 innings against the Blue Jays in Miami. Across several levels of minor league ball this year he started 17 games totaling 95.1 innings with a 2.36 ERA. Last season he made 11 starts in high A and this year he made the jump to AA and then AAA.

Let’s Go Mets!

The rain is trying its best to make sure this Mets Marlins series doesn’t happen. The first game was rained out on Tuesday. On Wednesday there was a 5 and half hour rain delay that forced game one of the doubleheader to start after 9 and game two never happened. The Mets ended up winning by a lot in the first game, 13-0, as Wheeler was just dominated the Marlins. The Mets look to repeat that feat twice today.

Steven Matz is 5-11 over 26 games and 133.2 innings with a 4.17 ERA, 4.58 FIP, 1.257 WHIP, 89 ERA+. In his last three starts he has pitched 19.0 innings posting an ERA of 1.89. In his one start against the Marlins this season he allowed 1 run, no earned, over 5.1 innings. The Marlins have the following numbers against Matz:

• Rojas 1-10, 2B
• Castro 0-8, 5 K
• Realmuto 3-7, 3 K
• Anderson 0-3
• Chen 0-3, 3 K
• Dietrich 0-2
• Riddle 1-3

The Mets bats will get a look at Sandy Alcantara making his third start this season. Over his first two he allowed only 1 run over 6 hits in 12.0 innings. He got called up for a start in June where he made his Marlins debut against the Mets allowing only 1 run over 5.0 innings. He returned with expanded rosters when he shut out the Phillies over 7.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Nimmo 0-2, BB
• Conforto 0-2
• Flores 0-1, BB
• Frazier 1-2
• Rosario 0-2
• Smith 0-1

Lets Go Mets!

The Mets play two today against the Marlins thanks to the rain on Monday. In the nightcap Jason Vargas will square off against Jeff Brigham who was supposed to make his second big league start and somehow ended up getting pushed back all the way to today.

Jason Vargas is 5-9 over 17 starts and 73.1 innings this year with a 6.75 ERA, 5.51 FIP, 1.595 WHIP and 55 ERA+. After a stretch of good starts, everything had to come to an end for Vargas who in his last start against the Dodgers on the 4th he allowed 5 runs, 4 earned from 6 hits in 3.1 innings. Before that game he allowed only 5 runs in 22.2 innings through 4 games, his best 4 games of the season. His last start against the Marlins was all the way back on May 21st where he allowed no runs over 5.0 innings, his first good start of the year. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Castro 3-10, 3 2B, 2 BB
• Anderson 0-2
• Brinson 0-2
• Hernandez 0-2, 2 K
• Realmuto 0-2
• Rojas 1-2

The Mets bats will get to see Jeff Brigham in his second big league start. In his first start on the 2nd he allowed 3 runs off 4 hits and 4 walks in 3.0 innings against the Blue Jays in Miami. Across several levels of minor league ball this year he started 17 games totaling 95.1 innings with a 2.36 ERA. Last season he made 11 starts in high A and this year he made the jump to AA and then AAA.

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was a classic deGrom for the Mets as deGrom did something that has never been done before and not getting the win for it. Jacob posted his 26th consecutive start of allowing 2 runs or less but the Mets bats could only muster 1 run for the 2 he allowed and the bullpen allowed 3 more. Despite the Mets scoring a whopping 3 runs, it wasn’t enough to erase the loss decision on deGrom’s ledger.

Hopefully the Mets bats won’t do Wheeler dirty like deGrom. Wheeler is coming back from a chest injury and was originally questionable for yesterday’s start. On the season he is 10-7 over 27 games and 167.1 innings with a 3.39 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 1.165 WHIP and a 109 ERA+. He had his most human start in a while in his last start allowing 3 runs over 7.0 innings. Overall in his last 9 games he has tossed 60.0 innings posting an ERA of 1.50. Against the Marlins he is 2-1 in as many starts this year posting a 1.80 ERA over 20.0 innings. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Dietrich 3-15, 3B, 2 BB, 9 K
• Castro 3-15, 5 K
• Anderson 1-8, 2B, 4 K
• Rojas 3-9, 2 HR
• Realmuto 3-6, 2B

The Mets bats draw rookie Trevor Richards tonight who is 3-8 over 21 games and 102.0 innings with a 4.73 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 1.451 WHIP and a 77 ERA+. He is coming off of a terrible start where he allowed 6 runs over 1.1 innings against the Phillies in Miami. In his last four games he has allowed 16 runs off 20 hits in 16.2 innings. This will be his first start against the Mets.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Marlins open a series tonight in Queens after last night’s game was rained out. It will be the first 7 games in Queens to be played against the Marlins between now and the rest of the season. Two days ago the Mets were supposed to send out Jacob deGrom yesterday but it was wet, the game was delayed and why risk it, so the Mets went with Oswalt and a bullpen game and they won! Which means we get a deGrom day today! The back to back starts pushed back though probably cost deGrom a start before the end of the season.

Jacob deGrom is 8-8 over 28 starts and 188.0 innings with a 1.68 ERA (league leading), 2.08 FIP (league leading), 0.963 WHIP and a 220 ERA+ (league leading). In his last four starts he has allowed 5 runs, 3 earned over 29.0 innings from 21 hits and 6 walks while striking out 35, that’s a 0.93 ERA by the way. Against the Marlins this year he is 0-1 over 3 games allowing 7 runs over 19.0 innings, a 3.32 ERA, the highest against any team he has faced more than once. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Dietrich 5-23, BB, 12 K
• Castro 8-21, BB
• Realmuto 3-19, 6 K
• Rojas 4-17, 3 BB
• Anderson 3-7, HR
• Brinson 2-9, 3 K
• Lee 0-3, 2K

The Marlins are deviating from yesterdays plan and are using Jose Urena on regular rest today. He is 5-12 over 27 games and 151.0 innings with a 4.41 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 1.205 WHIP and 83 ERA+. Two of his last three starts have been some of the best of the season for him pitching a 1 run, complete game against the Nationals and a 1 run over 7.0 innings against the Phillies. Against the Mets he has allowed 7 runs over 10.1 innings in 2 starts. The Mets have the following numbers against Urena:

• Reyes 6-18, 2B, 3B
• Bruce 5-15, 2B, 2 HR, BB
• Conforto 5-13, 2B, BB
• Flores 2-10, HR
• Nimmo 1-6, HR
• Frazier 1-4
• Rosario 3-5, 2B

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Marlins open a series tonight in Queens. It will be the first 7 games in Queens to be played against the Marlins between now and the rest of the season. Yesterday the Mets were supposed to send out Jacob deGrom yesterday but it was wet, the game was delayed and why risk it, so the Mets went with Oswalt and a bullpen game and they won! Which means we get a deGrom day today!

Jacob deGrom is 8-8 over 28 starts and 188.0 innings with a 1.68 ERA (league leading), 2.08 FIP (league leading), 0.963 WHIP and a 220 ERA+ (league leading). In his last four starts he has allowed 5 runs, 3 earned over 29.0 innings from 21 hits and 6 walks while striking out 35, that’s a 0.93 ERA by the way. Against the Marlins this year he is 0-1 over 3 games allowing 7 runs over 19.0 innings, a 3.32 ERA, the highest against any team he has faced more than once. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Dietrich 5-23, BB, 12 K
• Castro 8-21, BB
• Realmuto 3-19, 6 K
• Rojas 4-17, 3 BB
• Anderson 3-7, HR
• Brinson 2-9, 3 K
• Lee 0-3, 2K

The Mets bats will get to see Jeff Brigham in his second big league start. In his first start on the 2nd he allowed 3 runs off 4 hits and 4 walks in 3.0 innings against the Blue Jays in Miami. Across several levels of minor league ball this year he started 17 games totaling 95.1 innings with a 2.36 ERA. Last season he made 11 starts in high A and this year he made the jump to AA and then AAA.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Phillies play a rubber game this afternoon as Jacob deGrom goes up against Vince Velasquez. Last night Syndergaard wasn’t his best but he led the Mets to victory behind an offensive explosion, 10 runs! Last night was also another day of having our left fielder play first and our first basemen play right. Bruce did well and Dom was doing well until he left due to tightness.

Jacob deGrom is 8-8 over 28 games and 188.0 innings this year with a 1.68 ERA (league leading), 2.08 FIP (league leading), 0.963 WHIP and 220 ERA+ (league leading). In his last four starts he has allowed 5 runs, 3 earned over 29.0 innings with a 0.93 ERA and recorded 35 K’s. He’s 1-0 over three games against the Phillies this year allowing 12 hits and 1 unearned run, none earned. The Phillies have the following numbers against him:

• Herrera 7-34, BB, 9 K
• Hernandez 5-24, 4 BB, 6 K
• Bour 8-22, 2B, 2 HR, 3 BB, 7 K
• Franco 6-22, 2 2B
• Ramos 3-21, 2B, HR
• Williams 4-15, 5 K
• Hoskins 3-11, 2B, 3 BB, 4 K
• Cabrera 1-6, 2B

Vince Velasquez was 9-10 over 27 games and 26 starts with 134.0 innings while posting a 4.10 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 1.254 WHIP, ad a 103 ERA+. In his last five starts he has allowed 13 runs over 20.1 innings (5.75 ERA). His one start against the Mets this year was a good as he held the Mets scoreless over 6.0 innings allowing only 2 hits and a walk. The Mets have the following numbers against Vince:

• Conforto 4-9, 2 HR, 3 BB
• Reyes 1-10, 2B, BB
• Bruce 3-9, 2B, HR, 3 K
• Flores 2-7, HR, 2 BB
• Rosario 1-2
• Smith 0-2

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets could do two things yesterday to make Philly fans miserable: win and tag Nola for runs. They missed the former and for the latter they nudged his ERA slightly but not significantly at all, thus failing on both of these goals. The Mets could still play spoiler to the Phillies season by winning today and tomorrow. Last night’s mostly quite Mets offense included a second homer this week for Jay Bruce and a homer for Dom Smith.

Noah Syndergaard is 10-3 over 20 games and 121.2 innings with a 3.33 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 1.208 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. His last game out was a masterpiece as he tossed a complete game, two hit, 1 run performance while walking 1 and striking out 11. The last time he faced Philly in August he allowed 4 runs over 5.2 innings from 8 hits. The Phillies have the following numbers against him:

• Hernandez 4-16, 3 BB
• Franco 5-18, 2B
• Bour 5-17, 2B, 7 K
• Herrera 1-17
• Ramos 5-15, 2B
• Altherr 1-9
• Hoskins 1-3, 2B
• Cabrera 2-4, 2B
• Bautista 1-2, HR

Zach Eflin starts for the Phillies tonight. He is 9-6 over 20 games and 111.0 innings with a4 4.05 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.261 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed 18 runs, 14 earned over 20.1 innings, a 6.20 ERA. This includes a start against the Mets where he allowed 4 runs off 7 hits in 6.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Eflin:

• Conforto 3-11, 2B, HR, BB
• Reyes 3-10, 3 2B
• Flores 1-6
• Rosario 3-6, 3 2B
• Nimmo 1-5
• Smith 1-5
• McNeil 1-4, 2B
• Jackson 1-3, 2B
• Bruce 1-2
• Frazier 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

If the Phillies want to make the post-season, they need to sweep the Mets. Can the Mets play spoiler? That’s going to be the story line all weekend in Queens unless if the Mets decide they can actually put David Wright in the lineup. The Mets are coming off a game in LA where they seemed to get every possible lucky break and bloop hit in one night that alluded them all of May and June. Did they bring that luck with them back east? They’ll need it tonight against Aaron Nola.

The Mets will send out Steven Matz who is 5-11 over 25 starts and 128.2 innings with a 4.20 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 1.267 WHIP and an 88 ERA+. He is coming off back to back starts of pitching 7.0 innings allowing 1 run with 18 K’s over those 14.0 innings. He has had two very different starts against the Phillies this year both in Philly. In May he allowed 1 run over 5.0 innings and in August he allowed 6 runs, 4 earned over 2.0 innings. The Phillies have the following numbers against him:

• Ramos 3-11
• Hernandez 3-7, BB
• Hoskins 1-5
• Santana 0-8
• Bour 0-6, 2 K
• Herrera 1-5, HR
• Franco 2-5
• Williams 2-4
• Nola 0-1

The Mets have not helped their Cy-Young award candidate in deGrom at all by not scoring runs. They can help him by tagging Nola up tonight and putting a ton of crooked numbers on the scoreboard. Nola is 15-4 over 28 games and 181.2 innings with a 2.23 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 0.974 WHIP and 187 ERA+. He is coming off a poor start against the Cubs where he allowed 4 runs over 5.2 innings after an August of posting a 1.06 ERA over 5 games and 34.0 innings. He has dominated the Mets this year posting a 1.44 ERA over 4 games and 25.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Nola:

• Conforto 3-15, HR
• Bruce 3-11, BB
• Nimmo 1-8, 4 BB
• Rosario 3-12, 2B
• Flores 2-7
• Plawecki 0-5
• Reyes 1-7
• Frazier 0-4, BB
• Jackson 2-5, 3 K

Let’s Go Mets!