213 Miles From Shea

The Mets and Orioles met yesterday in a match up of two of the worst starting pitcher free agency signings in the last off-season. So naturally Jason Vargas had his third best start of the season allowing 2 runs over 5.0 innings and Alex Cobb of the Orioles no-hit the Mets for while and then held them to 1 run in a game the Mets lost. Even getting Todd Frazier back last night wasn’t enough for the Mets as they struggled to bring runners home that were sitting on 2nd and 3rd and just hit in general. The bright spot of the night: all the Mets pitchers did great. Vargas had a solid outing, even better when you consider all the damage was done in the first inning. Lugo dominated in his 3 innings of work, at one point throwing only 6 pitchers in an inning. Swarzak returned as well had a good inning of work.

The Mets will try to move the conversation from “finding things to be happy about” to “winning ball games” this afternoon behind Zach Wheeler. Wheeler is 2-4 over 56.0 inning and 10 starts with a 5.14 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 1.482 WHIP and 74 ERA+. He is coming off of a solid start against the Cubs where he allowed 2 runs over 6.0 innings from 7 hits and 2 walks. The only member of the Baltimore Orioles to face Wheeler is Trumbo who is 0-3.

The Mets bats will get a look at Dylan Bundy who is 3-7 over 12 games and 68.2 innings with a 4.46 ERA, 4.73 FIP, 1.296 WHIP and 94 ERA+. He is coming off of an average start where he allowed 3 runs from 6.0 innings from 11 hits and no walks, which was preceded by a complete game start where he allowed 3 runs from 2 hits and 9.0 innings and where he struck out 14 members of the White Sox.  A few members of the Mets have recorded ABs against Bundy during their time as players in the AL East:

• Frazier 0-8, 2 BB
• Bautista 0-8, 2 BB, 6 K
• Gonzalez 0-1, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

There are two things the Mets needed in the worst way: an off day to rest the bullpen and to face a team that isn’t on top of their division. The Mets will enjoy both of those things twice this week as they have off-days sandwiching a series with the Baltimore Orioles. After getting swept by the Cubs this past weekend with the offense performing terrible, the Mets will try to put themselves back together before they have to face the Yankees this weekend. Tonight’s pitching match-up is entertaining if you’re into alternate universes as one of the pitchers a sizable portion of Mets fans wanted to sign this off-season was Alex Cobb and he’s facing off with the starting pitcher we did sign – Jason Vargas.

Vargas is 2-3 over 6 games and 25.1 innings with a 8.53 ERA, 5.80 FIP, 1.855 WHIP and 45 ERA+. Jason Vargas has made 4 terrible starts and 2 starts where he has held opponents to no runs over 5.0 innings allowing 2 hits and a walk. He did this against the Marlins on the 21st and and against the Braves on the 30th. I would almost consider this a fun fact, that his two good lines are nearly identical, but he’s been so bad in his other four starts that fun and Jason Vargas tend to be on two ends of a “Did I enjoy watching the Mets game” spectrum. In one start against the Orioles last year, Vargas allowed 3 runs over 5.0 innings from 4 hits and 2 walks. The Orioles have the following numbers against him:

• Jones 5-30, 2 2B, 2 BB, 5 K
• Gentry 5-23, 2 BB
• Trumbo 4-19, 10 K
• Davis 3-16, HR, BB, 5 K
• Valencia 3-16, 4B, BB
• Rasmus 3-13, 2 2B, 4 K
• Machado 2-10
• Schoop 0-4, 3 K
• Joseph 1-4, HR

The Mets bats will get a look at Alex Cobb who is 1-7 over 9 starts and 46.1 innings with a 6.80 ERA, 5.40 FIP, 1.813 WHIP and 62 ERA+. For only the 4th time this season, Cobb allowed 3 runs or less in his last outing where he allowed 3 runs over 7.0 innings, his longest start of the year. He has allowed 3 runs in 3 of his last 4 starts, so maybe he is turning the corner (In April he allowed 17 runs over 3 starts which in tonight’s game makes him the starting pitcher with the best start of the season). In one start against the Mets in his career he allowed 6 runs, 5 earned, in 6.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Bautista 3-17, 4 BB
• Cespedes 3-19 5 K (DL)
• Cabrera 2-11
• Reyes 1-6
• Frazier 1-5
• Bruce 0-3
• Gonzalez 1-3, 2B
• Mesoraco 1-3

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets had a heart breaking loss last night on Todd Frazier BP Pullover Voucher Night. The Mets got a dazzling start from Jacob deGrom allowed 1 run over 7.0 innings with 13 K’s. While as Mets fans we should be upset that deGrom didn’t get a win, let’s take solace in that he didn’t take the L as Conforto hit a solo homer to knot up the game. The game then went into extras and both offenses went silent until the 14th where the Cubs scored 6 runs. Ultimately the last thing the depleted Mets pitching staff needed was an extra 5 innings of work last night.

Steven Matz will look to give the bullpen a little rest today as he returns from an injury shortened outing where he strained his middle finger. On the season he is 2-3 over 10 games and 45.2 innings with a 3.55 ERA, 5.60 FIP, 1.270 WHIP and 107 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed no runs in 9.0 innings from 5 hits and 5 walks while striking out 5. The last time Matz faced the Cubs was back in 2016 where he allowed 3 runs off 7 hits and 3 walks in 5.1 innings Queens and then allowed 4 runs from 8 hits and 1 walk over 5.0 innings in Chicago. The Cubs have the following numbers against Steven:

• Baez 4-8, HR
• Bryant 2-6, HR
• Rizzo 3-8, 2B, HR
• Contreras 1-5, 2B
• Russell 1-4
• Zobrist 2-6, 2B
• Almora 1-4, 2B

After going silent last night the Mets bats will have a tough order today against Jon Lester. Lester is 5-2 over 11 games and 63.0 innings with a 2.71 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.206 WHIP, 151 ERA+. Jon is coming off of his worst start of the season where he allowed 4 earned runs over 6.0 innings from 8 hits and no walks against the Pirates. Previous to that he allowed 1 run in three starts in a row (1.45 ERA over 18.2 innings). He faced the Mets twice last year. In Queens he allowed 1 run over 7.0 innings holding the Mets to 5 hits and a walk while striking out 10. In Chicago he allowed 2 runs from 6 hits and 4 walks over 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Lester:

• Bautista 14-61, 3 2B, 5 HR, 8 BB
• Cabrera 8-33, 2 2B, BB, 10 K
• Reyes 6-34, 3 BB, 5 K
• Bruce 3-23, 2B, 6 K
• Gonzalez 2-15

Mets on the 10-Day DL Stats vs Lester

• Cespedes 5-23, 2B, 6 K
• Flores 6-16, 3 HR
• Frazier 2-8, 2 2B

Let’s Go Mets!

Last night was a repeat of most of the current issues with the Mets. Going into the 7th inning, the Mets had a 2-0 lead, thanks to Brandon Nimmo and a good start by Zach Wheeler. Then the bullpen came in and promptly gave up the lead. The Mets bats tried to scratch back but it didn’t work and ultimately the Mets lost 7-4. Tonight Jacob deGrom goes and the Mets need a win in the worst possible way as last night they dipped below .500 for the first time this season.

Jacob deGrom has a league leading 1.52 ERA in 65.1 innings from 11 starts. He is also sporting a 249 ERA+ (league leading), 2.13 FIP and 1.010 WHIP. In his last 7 starts and 40.1 innings he has a 0.45 ERA and has struck out 55 batters who are hitting .183 against him and getting on base at a .261 clip. Last season he threw a complete game allowing 1 run against the Cubs at Citi Field. The Cubs have the following numbers against deGrom:

• Rizzo 5-16, 2B, HR
• Heyward 4-14
• Bryant 3-10, 2 HR
• Russell 2-8, HR
• Zobrist 0-9, K
• Baez 0-6
• Contreras 0-6
• La Stella 0-6

The Mets draw Mike Montgomery tonight who has pitched in 19 games, 1 start this season with a 4.35 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.285 WHIP and 95 ERA+. His first start of the season on the 28th was a good one as he held the Pirates scoreless over 5.2 innings. In two games, one start, against the Mets last year he held the Amazin’s to 3 runs, 2 earned over 7.0 innings and 8 hits. The Mets have the following numbers against Mike:

• Gonzalez 1-6
• Bruce 1-3
• Flores 0-3
• Reyes 0-2
• Cabrera 1-1
• Nimmo 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets will strive for a normal start tonight as the Mets were forced again to dip into their bullpen early last night. For Lugo it was planned as he wasn’t stretched out yet to go deep into the game and he did well. Unfortunately, the offense missed some key opportunities early and never was able to get back into the game.

Wheeler is 2-4 this season over 9 starts and 50.0 innings with a 5.40 ERA, 4.02 FIP, 1.480 WHIP and a 70 ERA+. His last start was tough against the Brewers (6.0 innings, 4 ER from 6 hits and 2 walks) but he lasted 6.0 innings which is the #1 thing the Mets need from a starter tonight. His worst start last year came against the Cubs where he allowed 8 runs from 6 hits and 3 walks in 1.2 innings in Queens. The Cubs have the following numbers against Zach:

• Heyward 8-21, 2 2B, 2 HR, BB
• Rizzo 1-6, HR
• Baez 1-3
• Bryant 1-2
• Russell 1-2, 2B
• Contreras 0-1

The Mets bats will get a look at Tyler Chatwood who was most recently a member of the Rockies for the last two seasons. This year he is 3-4 over 10 games and 48.1 innings with a 4.10 ERA, 4.76 FIP, 1.759 WHIP and 100 ERA+. His high WHIP is directly tied to his 45 walks on the season, the highest in the league. His last two starts have been quite short tossing 5.1 innings allowing 7 runs off 10 hits and 11 walks. He faced the Mets twice last year. In his first game he recorded only one out, allowing 4 runs off 1 hit and 3 walks (and grand slam). A couple of weeks later he allowed 8 runs off 8 hits against the Mets in 5.1 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Tyler:

• Gonzalez 7-24, HR, 4 BB
• Cabrera 4-13, HR, 3 BB
• Bruce 4-9, 2 HR, BB
• Conforto 2-7, 3 BB
• Reyes 2-8, 3B
• Rosario 1-2, 3B
• Mesoraco 0-1
• Nimmo 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

What an improbable three days for the Mets. There’s a glass half full way of looking at the last couple of days and then there is the “typical Mets way of looking at things” also known as glass half empty way. The Mets split the series with the first place Braves! They could have easily won the two games they lost. They won the two games they had no business winning (one without a starter and the other with Jason Vargas). The Mets suffered several injuries to critical players. At least two of the injuries may not be that bad. There was a fire at Citi Field.

It’s been a week Mets fans, let’s go play four games with the Cubs!

Seth Lugo makes a return to the rotation tonight for the ailing Mets. He is 1-1 over 20 games this year logging 32.2 innings with a 2.48 ERA, 3.24 FIP, 1.010 WHIP and 153 ERA+. He dominated in his relieving role this year and is being rewarded for it. Maybe he plays with a chip on his shoulder for being sent to the bullpen in the first place? Maybe he plays with a chip on his shoulder for taking the loss a few nights ago? He made a start against the Cubs last September and it was terrible, probably his worst start of the year. Maybe he plays with a chip on his shoulder about that? In that start he allowed 8 runs, 7 earned over 3.0 innings from 9 hits and a walk. The Cubs have the following numbers against Lugo:

• Bryant 1-5, 2B
• Baez 2-4
• Rizzo 2-4, HR
• Heyward 1-3
• Almora 0-2
• Schwarber 2-2, 2B

The Mets bats will try to keep waking up against Jose Quintana who is 5-4 over 10 starts and 52.2 innings with a 4.78 ERA, 4.69 FIP, 1.481 WHIP and 85 ERA+. His WHIP is over 200 points higher than his career numbers, which is indicative of the type of season he has been having. In his last three starts, he has had two terrible starts (4.2 IP 6 ER and 4.1 IP 4 ER) sandwiched around a brilliant 7.0 innings of 1 hit baseball against the Reds. He faced the Mets last September and allowed 2 runs off 6 hits and a walk in 7.0 innings). The Mets have the following numbers against Quintana:

• Cabrera 6-25, 2B, BB, 7 K
• Bautista 2-22, 2 HR, 8 K
• Reyes 4-11, 2B
• Gonzalez 2-6
• Rosario 1-3
• Mesoraco 0-1

Mets on the 10 Day DL against Quintana:

• Cespedes 10-18, 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, BB
• Flores 1-3, 2B

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets are simultaneously living in a space where they cannot catch a lucky break and they cannot execute and it came to a head last night. Hours before the game Noah Syndergaard was sidelined to the DL with a finger issue. During the game (the third in a row that has had a rain issue), while Matz was on a roll, he got sidelined with a finger issue. This is where things fell apart for the Mets. The Mets had to use the bullpen late into the night the previous day and the bullpen last night could not string together 6 innings allowing under 5 runs. They should be able to do that, but they couldn’t.

Now the Mets are going to need to rely on Jason Vargas, on short rest, to give the bullpen rest. He is 1-3 on the year over 20.1 innings with a 10.62 ERA, 6.51 FIP, 2.164 WHIP and 36 ERA+. After a good start in Miami where he allowed no runs over 5.0 innings and only 2 hits with a walk while getting 7 whiffs, he had a terrible start in Milwaukee on Saturday where he allowed 5 ER over 3.0 innings from 6 hits and 2 walks. Amazingly, the game was tied when he left at 5-5 and then the Mets imploded and lost 17-6. His second start of the season was against the Braves who got 11 hits in 4.2 innings against him leading to 6 runs. The Braves have the following numbers on Jason:

• Suzuki 10-41, HR, 3 BB
• Markakis 8-31, 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB
• Flowers 1-7, HR, BB
• Flaherty 3-6, HR
• Culberson 2-5
• Albies 1-3
• Freeman 0-2

The Mets bats will try to get their pitchers more than enough run support, whatever that means, against Julio Teheran tonight. Julio is 4-2 over 11 starts and 60.0 innings with a 4.20 ERA, 5.30 FIP, 1.233 WHIP and 92 ERA+. In his last three starts he has allowed 13 runs off 15 hits and 9 walks in 17.0 innings. However, his best two starts this season have been against the Mets where he has held them scoreless in 14.0 innings allowing a total of 6 hits and 3 walks. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Bruce 7-34, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB
• Cabrera 9-29, 3 2B, 2 BB
• Reyes 6-29, 2 3B, 2 BB
• Gonzalez 6-24, 2B, HR, 3 BB
• Conforto 4-17, HR, BB
• Bautista 1-8, 2B
• Rosario 0-6
• Mesoraco 0-4

Batting Stats against Teheran from Mets Players on the 10 Day DL:

• Cespedes 4-23, BB, 10 K
• Flores 3-21, HR, 3 BB
• Lagares 4-21, 5 K
• Frazier 3-17, 2B, HR

Let’s Go Mets!

Yesterday was a bizarre day of Mets baseball where most events that occurred could be described as “bizarre bad” or “bizarre strange” and a few as “bizarre, but it worked out for the Mets in the end.” Jacob deGrom started the day with a masterful start. At one point the skies opened over him and the teams played on, at another point it rained, the tarp was pulled out, and then everyone watched a tarp in sunny weather for over 20 minutes. Jacob came back from the rain delay and mostly dominated. Seth Lugo came in, gave up the tying run, then Mesoraco pulled the Mets ahead in the ninth before Lugo blew it for good in the 10th.

Mets fans then got stew about that loss for a while as a rain delay pushed the start for the night cap all the way to 10 pm. The Mets got a rough start from Conlon who only lasted 2.0 innings, surprisingly got 3.0 great innings from Robles and the Mets managed to win the game. In other words, yesterday the Mets lost a game they had no business losing and then won a game they had no business winning.

The Mets will now turn to Steven Matz to give some rest to the bullpen. He is 2-3 on the year over 42.2 innings with a 3.80 ERA, 5.64 FIP, 1.289 WHIP and 100 ERA+. After a horrid start against the Diamondbacks where he allowed 4 runs from 6 hits and a walk in 4.0 innings, Matz was great his last time out in Milwaukee where he held the Brewers scoreless in 6.0 innings, the only game the Mets won that weekend. He hasn’t faced the Braves yet this year but last last year he held the Braves to 1 run from 5 hits and a walk over 7.0 innings. The Braves have the following numbers against him:

• Freeman 4-13, 2B, BB
• Markakis 3-13, 2B, BB
• Flowers 2-10, 2B
• Inciarte 2-6
• Blair 0-3
• Camargo 2-3
• Swanson 1-3, 2B

The Mets bats will see Anibal Sanchez today. Maybe. He is supposed to come off the DL today but between his health and the weather tonight, there are plenty of reasons to abandon that plan. This year he has a 1.29 ERA over 14.0 innings before getting injured. Last year he was 3-7 for Detroit over 28 games and 17 starts totaling 105.1 innings with a 6.41 ERA, 5.33 FIP, 1.595 WHIP and 72 ERA+. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Reyes 9-37, 2B, 5 BB
• Cabrera 5-23, HR, 2 BB
• Bautista 5-19, 2B, HR, 3 BB
• Bruce 2-11
• Gonzalez 1-8
• Conforto 1-3, HR

Let’s Go Mets!

This is asking for trouble – I’m writing this preview before the first game gets played today. With the amount of rain and the Mets not naming a starter yet for the afternoon, this could easily become a waste of an article.

The Mets are going for the bullpen game this afternoon using either Lugo or Gsellman to start the game, I guess depending on how the first game goes. Then they could possibly turn to PJ Conlon, so lets look at his only major league start. Conlon’s debut happened as a spot start for deGrom when he missed a start for his elbow. Conlon allowed 3 runs off 4 hits and 2 walks in 3.2 innings of work. In the minors this year he has posted a 6.58 ERA over 39.2 innings. To be fair, only Flexen is having a good year in the Las Vegas rotation right now.

The Mets bats will close the night with Brandon McCarthy who is 5-2 over 10 starts and 52.0 innings with a 4.67 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.577 WHIP and 83 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed 2 runs in 11.2 innings while striking out 13 batters. He faced the Mets as a member of the Dodger pitching staff last year holding the Mets scoreless in 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Cabrera 3-11, 2B, HR, 2 BB
• Gonzalez 6-12, 2 B, HR, BB
• Bruce 3-10
• Reyes 0-9, BB
• Mesoraco 3-5
• Bautista 1-4, HR
• Flores 1-3

Let’s Go Mets!

Here we go! Double Header day in Atlanta due to rain earlier in April and it’s supposed to rain today! The Mets are planning to use a bullpen game in the 2nd game and deGrom in the opener. Do both games get played today? Who knows! Both game previews will be published back to back so if pitchers get flipped around on either side, read both and you’ll be covered!

The Mets are trying pull themselves together after a tough series in Milwaukee. After winning Thursday’s game, they lost Friday in extras, got routed on Sunday, and then fell apart late on Sunday. Now they have to go from the first place Brewers to the first place Braves.

Jacob deGrom is 4-0 over 10 games and 58.1 innings with a 1.54 ERA, 1.89 FIP, 0.994 WHIP and 246 ERA+. In his last 6 starts he has tossed 33.1 innings with 47 K’s posting a 0.27 ERA. Opponents are hitting .179 against him in that stretch and slugging only .205. This streak started against Atlanta where he held them scoreless over 7.0 innings allowing 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 10. It continued against Atlanta where he struck out 6 in 4.0 innings before leaving the game early due to injury. The Braves have the following numbers against deGrom:

• Freeman 9-33, 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, ( K
• Markakis 8-27, HR, BB
• Inciarte 5-22, 2B, 2 BB
• Flowers 3-9
• Swanson 2-7
• Albies 0-7, BB, 4 K
• Acuna 0-2

The Mets bats will get a look at Max Fried who is 0-2 over 4 games this year, making his first start of the season today. So far he has pitched 6.0 innings allowing 5 hits and 3 walks leading to 4 runs. One of these innings was against the Mets where he allowed a hit and a walk with no runs while striking out the side. He made a full start against the Mets last season on a doubleheader day pitching 5.1 innings, 7 hits leading to 2 runs, 1 earned. If for some reason one of the games doesn’t happen, my gut says Fried gets bumped out of the start today and McCarthy will go ahead. The Mets have the following numbers against Fried:

• Nimmo 2-4, 2B, BB
• Cabrera 1-3
• Conforto 0-1
• Flores 0-1
• Gonzalez 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!