213 Miles From Shea

The Mets are one win away from the NLDS! The Mets traveled back to Milwaukee and took game one of the series on Tuesday. The Brewers scored first, then the Mets responded. Later the Brewers took the lead, then the Mets responded in a big way, scoring five runs with two outs to take the lead. At that point the Mets locked down the Brewers for the rest of the game.

Tonight is the first time the Mets play in Milwaukee with a flipped script. It is the Brewers who now have to win. It’s the Brewers who are now dealing with memories of past failure, when the Diamondbacks won the Wild Card series in Milwaukee last season. How do the Brewers come out? How do the Mets respond?

Sean Manaea has pitched 181 2/3 innings this season, surpassing his previous career high in his last start. He has a 3.47 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.084 WHIP and a 114 ERA+. He’s coming off of a rough start against the Brewers who tagged him for six runs, five earned, over 3 2/3 innings. That Friday night game feels like a season ago after the last few days the Mets have had though. The Brewers have the following career numbers against Manaea:

• Willy Adamaes 1-9, 2 BB, 3 K
• Jackson Chourio 1-3
• William Contreras 2-6, 2B, 2 BB, 3 K
• Sal Frelick 0-2, K
• Eric Haase 2-4, 2B, HR, K
• Rhys Hoskins 2-6, 2 HR, K
• Garrett Mitchell 1-1, 2B
• Joey Ortiz 0-2
• Blake Perkins 0-2
• Gary Sánchez 3-8, 2 2B, BB, K
• Brice Turang 3-3, 2B

Frankie Montas has a 4.84 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 1.367 WHIP and an 89 ERA+ over 150 2/3 innings. As a member of the Brewers he has a 4.55 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 1.256 WHIP and a 92 ERA+ over 57 1/3 innings. He started against the Mets (also against Sean Manaea) last Friday and allowed two runs from two hits over four innings. In his last three starts he has allowed 13 runs, 12 earned, over 12 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 1-5, 2 K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-1, BB, K
• Jose Iglesias 2-9, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 4-12, 2 2B, 4 BB, 4 K
• Starling Marte 5-8, K
• J.D. Martinez 2-10, 2B, 2 BB, K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-5, 2 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-1
• Luis Torrens 2-8, HR, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 1-2, HR, K
• Jesse Winker 2-8, 3 BB, 3 K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. The Brewers Approach. Tuesday afternoon the Brewers came out of the gate swinging at first pitches. They were aggressive on the basepath – it felt like every opportunity they had to take an extra base they did. There was a stretch of several innings that it felt like the Brewers were starting the inning off with a runner on second. Once the Mets settled down after their big fifth inning, they were able to nullify this strategy. Do the Brewers do more of the same tonight? Do they drop back to last weekend’s strategy of just getting on base and stealing bases?
2. Attacking the Brewers Bullpen. The Brewers had to go into their bullpen early Tuesday after the Mets knocked Peralta after four innings. The Mets then scored five runs against Payamps and Asby, two of the better pitchers in the Brewers bullpen, which has been a strength for them this season. The Brewers still have a lot of strong, fresh arms available for tonight’s game but what the Mets did on Tuesday helped to flip the narrative from last week.
3. Mark Vientos. Mark Vientos went 2-for-4 in his post season debut with two runs scored and two RBI’s. Vientos also hit a two-run home run against Frankie Montas last Friday when things were looking bleak for the Mets. Does he have another big moment in him?

Let’s Go Mets!

The New York Mets played one of the most incredible regular season games on Monday and look to ride that momentum back to Milwaukee to open up the post-season. The Mets are right back to where they were last week, going to Milwaukee from Atlanta. Last time the Mets were coming off a frustrating loss against the Braves, and back-to-back postponements. We’ve see this happen to the Mets this season where they get rusty real quick when they miss multiple days due to rain (hello April). Now the Mets head to Milwaukee after celebrating their improbable run to the post-season. Hope the Milwaukee Brewers are ready for the positive-vibes Mets!

Luis Severino makes the start today after reminding everyone during Monday’s celebration to drink water because they have a game today! With the Mets winning the first game of the doubleheader on Monday, the Mets were able to bump Luis Severino to today’s opener. Overall this season he has pitched 182 innings with a 3.91 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 1.242 WHIP and a 101 ERA+. He’s coming off of a rough start against the Braves where he allowed four runs over four innings. In his seven starts before that he had a 2.64 ERA, 3.46 FIP over 44 1/3 innings. His first start of the season was against the Brewers where he allowed six runs, three earned, over five innings. The Brewers have the following career numbers against Severino:

• Willy Adames 4-11, 2B, HR, BB, 3 K
• Jake Bauers 3-9, 2B, HR, BB, 5 K
• Jackson Chourio 1-3, K
• William Contreras 1-5, K
• Sal Frelick 1-5, 2 K
• Rhys Hoskins 3-6, HR, 2 K
• Brice Turang 2-5, 2 K

Freddy Peralta is coming off of a career high of innings at 173 2/3. He has a 3.68 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 1.215 WHIP and a 114 ERA+. He had a strong end of the season allowing only four runs over 15 1/3 innings in his last three starts (2.35 ERA, 2.84 FIP). Peralta had a strong start to the season against the Mets, holding the Mets to a solo home run and a walk over six innings while striking out eight. The Mets have the following career numbers against Peralta:

• Pete Alonso 1-6, 2B, BB, K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-2, 2 K
• Harrison Bader 4-18, 2B, HR, BB, 7 K
• Jose Iglesias 0-5, K
• Francisco Lindor 1-6, HR, 3 BB, 3 K
• Starling Marte 3-12, 3B, HR, K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-8, BB, 3 K
• Jesse Winker 6-18, 2 2B, 2 HR, BB, 3 K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Stolen Bases. The Brewers love to steal bases. They’ve stolen 217, good for second in Major League Baseball behind the Nationals (223). They have 17 of those stolen bases against the Mets. Just absurd numbers. As soon as they get on base, they are going to steal. How do the Mets respond? How do the Mets prevent the Brewers from getting into their heads? How do I get the Brewers and their stolen bases out of my head?
2. Home runs. We didn’t really see the Mets greatest strength in Milwaukee last week – their strength. The Mets hit 207 home runs in the regular season, good for six in Major League Baseball and fourth in the National League (trailing the Dodgers, Braves, Diamondbacks, ahead of the Phillies). When the ball is flying off of the Mets bats, the Mets feel inevitable.
3. Francisco Lindor. The MVP of the Mets (and competition for Ohtani for the league MVP) saved the Mets season on Monday. He went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI’s. He was critical in the first rally where the Mets scored six runs to take the lead. He, when the Mets were at their lowest, he hit a two-run shot to take the lead. On Sunday Lindor lead the Mets to a win against the Brewers. He’s everything for this team.

Let’s Go Mets!

The entire 2024 season comes down to a doubleheader in Atlanta today. The Mets and Diamondbacks both won on Sunday, while the Braves lost, setting up a doubleheader today where both games need to be played. Win and you’re in. That’s all the Mets and the Braves have to do. If they each win one game, they both celebrate before taking flights to San Diego and Milwaukee.

If either team gets swept, then the Diamondbacks play October baseball. The stage is set. Can the Grimace Mets find just a bit more magic?

The Mets are sending out Tylor Megill who hasn’t faced the Braves yet this season for game one. Over 15 games this season, 72 1/3 innings, Megill has a 3.98 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.272 WHIP and a 99 ERA+ (all career bests except for his WHIP). Since returning to the rotation he has pitched 25 1/3 innings with a 1.78 ERA, 2.02 FIP while striking out 28 batters. The Braves have the following career numbers against him:

• Ozzie Albies 5-18, HR, 5 K
• Orlando Arcia 2-9, 2B, BB, K
• Travis d’Arnaud 2-9, 2B, K
• Adam Duvall 2-5
• Michael Harris II 1-5, 2 K
• Jarred Kelenic 0-3, 2 K
• Whit Merrifield 0-3
• Sean Murphy 2-3, 3 BB
• Matt Olson 3-14, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Marcell Ozuna 6-12, 2B, 2 HR, 3 K
• Jorge Soler 0-5, K
• Gio Urshela 0-2, K

The Braves will find out this afternoon if the Mets were able to make adjustments to Spencer Schwellenbach. Schwellenbach pitched the first game of the Mets vs Braves series on Tuesday, holding the Mets to just a solo-shot from Mark Vientos over seven innings. In his last three starts he has allowed only four runs over 19 innings. The solo shot that Mark Vientos had on Tuesday night was their only run scored against Schwellenbach this entire season (14 innings). The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Luisangel Acuña 0-2
• Pete Alonso 1-5, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-3, K
• Jose Iglesias 1-5, K
• Francisco Lindor 0-3
• Starling Marte 0-3
• J.D. Martinez 0-3, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-6, K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-3, K
• Luis Torrens 0-2, 2 2K
• Mark Vientos 2-5, HR, 3 K
• Jesse Winker 0-6, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. How do the Mets come out in the top of the first? On Tuesday night in Atlanta, the Mets looked pressed from the start, and it was a feeling that followed them through the first two games in Milwaukee. On Sunday afternoon the Mets came out aggressive and fired up, starting with Lindor getting on base and the immediately stealing a base. The Mets would go on to have 12 hits including multi-hit days from Lindor, Iglesias, Vientos, J.D. Martinez and Francisco Alvarez. The Mets need the same energy today so they don’t fall into the same game script story about the Mets vs Spencer Schwellenbach.
2. Jose Iglesias. Iglesias kept hitting even when the rest of the team went silent over the last week. He now has a 20 game hitting streak where he is slashing .416/.451/.507. He has at least two hits in six of of his last eight games. The difference for the Mets is Iglesias hasn’t scored since September 21st. He also hasn’t had an RBI since the 21st. He’s getting on base, can the Mets take advantage today?
3. Mets Bullpen Usage. The first game today is going to have “Game 7” vibes with both managers doing everything they can to pus their teams into the post-season. The Mets used Díaz yesterday, he had to use 26 pitches to get through the inning but it was his first time pitching in a week, he says he’s good to go today. The only pitcher who is probably not available is Phil Maton who pitched in back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday. There’s also a second game today. If things are going left, for the Mets, will we see Mendoza pivot to put all the effort in game two?

Let’s Go Mets!

Despite everything that has transpired in the last week, the Mets still have the chance to clinch a spot in the post season today. With the Braves winning yesterday and the Diamondbacks losing, the Braves just have to win a game and be in. The Mets are in with a win and a Diamondbacks loss. There are also scenarios where the Mets have to play the Braves tomorrow where the games do not mean anything to the Braves. All the Mets need to do is win (actually, they could lose and still make the playoffs tomorrow, but that’s another story). The Mets are the same team that took three of four from the Phillies last weekend in Citi Field. They went 8-1 without Lindor down the stretch. Now they need to find that fight and rhythm back.

David Peterson looks to do that on the mound this afternoon for the Mets. Over 114 innings Peterson has a 3.08 ERA, 3.76 FIP, 1.333 WHIP and a 128 ERA+ (all career bests except for the WHIP). Peterson has been on / off throughout the month of September. When he’s on, he’s allowed two runs over 13 2/3 innings against the Red Sox and the Phillies. When he’s been off he’s allowed 10 runs, eight earned, over eight innings against the Blue Jays and the Phillies. The Brewers have the following numbers against Peterson:

• Willy Adames 2-7, 2B, 6 BB, 2 K
• William Contreras 2-7, BB, K
• Rhys Hoskins 7-16, 3 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 4 K
• Andruw Monasterio 1-2
• Blake Perkins 0-3, K
• Gary Sánchez 1-4, 2B, BB, K

Colin Rea has pitched 162 innings with a 4.17 ERA, 4.72 FIP, 1.228 WHIP and a 101 ERA+. The Brewers have been bouncing Rea a bit this past month between starting an pitching in relief. Since August 4th he has pitched in seven games (five starts) with a 7.43 ERA and a 6.09 FIP. His season got off to a strong start against the Mets where he held them to one run over five innings, scattering five hits. The Mets have the following career numbers against Rea:

• Pete Alonso 2-6
• Francisco Alvarez 1-3, 2B, BB
• Harrison Bader 0-1
• Francisco Lindor 1-6, K
• Starling Marte 1-8, K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-6, 2 K
• Tyrone Taylor 1-1, BB
• Jesse Winker 0-2, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Competitive At Bats. The Mets struggled Saturday night with competitive at bats. They were just under balls, getting weak contact, or swinging early. The Mets had only two hits and a walk. The last four relievers the Brewers threw 14, 11, 7 and 14 pitches respectively. Just way, way too fast. The Mets offense has been relentless at points throughout this season. They’ve also been lifeless at points. Here’s hoping the pendulum swings back to relentless this afternoon.
2. A solid start for David Peterson. The Mets starting pitching fueled the push they made throughout September. The starting pitching has disappeared in the last week with the offense. (To be clear, the losses this week fall more on the bats than the arms). Peterson needs to give himself, the team and the bullpen a nice reset today, especially if the Mets need to play two games tomorrow.
3. Scoreboard watching. A lot of avenues for the Mets today rely on the Padres beating the Diamondbacks. Martín Pérez (4.25 ERA) goes against Pfaadt (4.80) who looks to rebound after a difficult month. Pfaadt would love to rewrite his narrative this month and be the reason why the Diamondbacks get into the post season. A Braves win today also immensely helps the Mets. Alec Marsh (4.65 ERA) goes against the Braves. The Braves are countering with the ageless Charlie Morton (4.08 ERA).

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets will try to put a frustrating, chaotic Friday night behind them as they continue to play for a wild card spot. The Mets played their first game in several days on Friday night and looked a bit rusty. On top of that, they got some unlucky breaks (hard hit balls right at players, balls taking favorable bounces) and they got some truly terrible calls by the home plate umpire.

With the Diamondbacks loss last night, all three teams chasing the last two wild card spots are tied – the Mets magic number is effectively three. It all starts with them winning a game.

It has been a minute since Jose Quintana pitched. Quintana’s last start was on September 18th where he held the Nationals scoreless over seven innings. Over 30 starts this season he has pitched 166 innings with a 3.74 ERA, 4.67 FIP, 1.241 WHIP and a 106 ERA+. In his last five starts he has allowed only two runs, one earned, over 32 innings. His first start of the season was against the Brewers where he allowed two runs from six hits over 4 2/3 innings. The Brewers have the following career numbers against Quintana:

• Willy Adames 4-12, 2 2B, HR, BB, 3 K
• Jake Bauers 1-1
• Jackson Chourio 1-2, BB
• William Contreras 3-6, 2B, HR, 2 K
• Eric Haase 1-2
• Rhys Hoskins 3-14, HR, 5 BB, 3 K
• Joey Ortiz 1-2, K
• Blake Perkins 1-2, K
• Gary Sánchez 0-5, BB, K

The Mets bats will get Jared Koenig tonight who has pitched in 54 games, five starts this season with a 2.51 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 1.246 WHIP and a 168 ERA+. He is definitely more of an opener type, only going more than two innings once this season. Since September 3rd he has allowed six runs, four earned, over nine innings. The Mets have had limited exposure to Koenig over his short career:

• Pete Alonso 1-1, 2B
• Francisco Lindor 1-1
• J.D. Martinez 1-2, HR, BB, K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-1
• Mark Vientos 0-1

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Mark Vientos. Vientos started the Mets offense Friday night. With them down 5-0, he hit a two run homer, the second consecutive game where he has homered, scoring the first runs for the Mets. He also had three strikeouts Friday night. The Mets offense needs their x-factor if they are going to push their way into the playoffs.
2. Stolen bases. The Brewers were annoying Friday night, running all over the Mets. In total they stole six bases which just added to the frustration boiling over from all of the other things happening during the game. How will the Mets adjust?
3. Scoreboard Watching. Five minutes after the Mets game gets started, the Braves will get started against Seth Lugo and the Royals. With the Twins loss last night, the Royals clinched their ticket to the post season and are now just playing for seeding. The Braves are reactivating Reynaldo López from the inured list. At 8:10 the Padres and the Diamondbacks will kick off with Eduardo Rodriguez (5.56 ERA) taking on Randy Vásquez (5.18 ERA).

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets are gearing up for a wild weekend of baseball. The Mets enter play today tied for the second wild card spot with the Diamondbacks, with two games in hand against the Diamondbacks. The Braves are one game out of the wild card. Both the Mets and Braves are trying to get playoff spots this weekend to avoid the doubleheader on Monday. Every game is vital right now!

Sean Manaea has a 3.29 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.056 WHIP and a 120 ERA+ over 178 innings this season. Since the end of July he has a 2.63 ERA, 3.13 FIP over 72 innings with 82 strikeouts. He has pitched at least 6 2/3 innings in his last eight consecutive starts. Since dropping his arm angle Sean Manaea has reestablished himself and the Mets need him to lead the team tonight more than ever. The Brewers have the following career numbers against him:

• Willy Adames 1-8, BB, 3 K
• William Contreras 1-5, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Eric Haase 2-4, 2B, HR, K
• Rhys Hoskins 1-4, HR, K
• Gary Sánchez 3-6, 2 2B, BB, K

The Brewers send out Frankie Montas tonight who has pitched 146 2/3 innings between the Reds and the Brewers this season with a 4.85 ERA, 4.66 FIP, 1.370 WHIP and an 89 ERA+. He’s been better as a Brewer with a 4.56 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 1.256 WHIP and a 93 ERA+ over 53 1/3 innings. Montas is trying to get positive momentum going into the post-season, in his last start he allowed eight runs, seven earned over 2 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks. He has struck out 10 batters in two of his last four starts. The Mets have the following career numbers against Montas:

• Pete Alonso 1-3, K
• Jose Iglesias 1-7, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 4-11, 2 2B, 3 BB, 3 K
• Starling Marte 5-8, K
• J.D. Martinez 2-9, 2B, BB, K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-3, K
• Luis Torrens 2-8, HR, 2 K
• Jesse Winker 2-7, 3 BB, 2 K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Francisco Lindor. Francisco Lindor was slated to return on Wednesday before the game got postponed. (I’m still a little surprised that Wednesday’s game made it all the way to lineup cards before it got rained out). Francisco Lindor injured his back on September 13th in Philadelphia, returned for a moment on September 15th and has been out since. He was ready to take an at-bat on Tuesday night, so hopefully these extra few days of rest have helped Lindor. Lindor has been having an MVP type season for the Mets hitting .271/.342/.494 with a 136 OPS+ and amazing defense.
2. The Vibes. The 2024 Mets are the vibes team. They’re the team that poses for pictures with the OMG sign. The starting pitchers created their own huddle jump thing when of them has a good outing. The team has faced a lot of adversity this season and handled it with smiles and jokes (you might say humor and whimsy). Hopefully the Mets come out tonight as that team, and not tight from the pressure of what this series means for additional games in a different city on Monday. The vibe tone this weekend is set tonight.
3. Scoreboard Watching. The Padres and Diamondbacks start an interesting series tonight. With the Dodgers clinching the west yesterday, the Mets Padres need to win one game this weekend to at least have homefield advantage over the Diamondbacks (if the Diamondbacks end up being the third wild card team). It’s a fantastic pitching matchup with Darvish facing Kelly in a game that the Diamondbacks feel they need to win. The Royals start a series with the Braves where the Royals (Singer, 3.73 ERA) have a magic number of 1 for the post season. The Braves are sticking with Max Fried because he likes to stay in his routine. If the game gets cancelled, and the Orioles beat the Twins, then the Royals won’t have anything to play for the rest of the weekend. It could be a real wild night!

Let’s Go Mets!

Tuesday night was not ideal for the Mets who struggled in their first game of the series against the Braves in Atlanta. Potentially things can get thrown into chaos tonight. Atlanta is expecting quite a bit of rain today from a system that is unrelated to the hurricane that is on the way Thursday night. As of writing, MLB hasn’t released a clear plan of next steps if one or two games get cancelled due to the weather.

The most important thing for the Mets though is to just take this one day at a time and remember what got them to this point – the vibes! This is the vibes team!

David Peterson has pitched 114 innings with a 3.08 ERA, 3.76 FIP, 1.333 WHIP and a 128 ERA+. Peterson is coming off of a rough start against the Phillies where he allowed five runs, four earned, over 3 2/3 innings, his second five run start in his last three. Overall since August 3rd Peterson has pitched 60 1/3 innings with a 2.69 ERA, 2.83 FIP. The last time he faced the Braves was back on July 28th where he allowed four runs over five innings in Queens. The Braves have the following career numbers against Peterson:

• Ozzie Albies 2-12, K
• Orlando Arcia 1-5, 3 BB, 2 K
• Travis d’Arnaud 0-11, 3 BB, 6 K
• Adam Duvall 4-12, 2 2B, HR, BB, 4 K
• Michael Harris II 1-10, 2B, 4 K
• Ramon Laureano 0-2
• Sean Murphy 0-4, K
• Matt Olson 4-16, 4 HR, 3 BB, 8 K
• Marcell Ozuna 3-17, 2 HR, BB, 6 K
• Jorge Soler 3-7, HR, BB, K

Chris Sale has had a dominant year for Atlanta leading the league in ERA (2.38), FIP (2.08) and ERA+ (174). He has a 1.013 WHIP over 177 2/3 innings. Since August 12th he has a 1.44 ERA, 1.68 FIP over 50 innings spread over eight starts. The Mets were able to do some damage against him in July though. The Mets scored two runs over 7 1/3 innings on their way to beating Atlanta 3-2. It has been done, it can be done again! The Mets have the following career numbers against Sale:

• Pete Alonso 0-5, 3 K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-2
• José Iglesias 11-36, 2 2B, HR, BB, 3 K
• Francisco Lindor 14-34, 2 2B, 2 HR, BB, 7 K
• Starling Marte 0-3, 2 K
• J.D. Martinez 9-41, 2 2B, 3 HR, 3 BB, 18 K
• Brandon Nimmo, 1-4 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-1, BB
• Mark Vientos 0-3, 2 K
• Jesse Winker 2-3

Three Things To Watch For:

1. The Mets X-Factors. The Mets have had two X-Factors in 2024. First is Francisco Lindor, who was the Mets offense for large swaths of the season. In the middle of the game on Tuesday night he got his cleats and ended the game on deck. Then there’s Mark Vientos. Vientos made sure the Mets had something positive to talk about after the game. He went 2-for-4 Tuesday night with his 26th home run of the season. It was his third multi-hit game in his last six, where he is hitting .318/.400/.636.
2. The Vibes. The SNY broadcast on Tuesday night talked about how the 2022 Mets tightened up throughout the last month of the season, and how that negatively impacted them in the final week of the season. The vibes of the 2024 Mets is their identity. They’re the fun team. They’re team that is having too much fun supporting each other to care about what the other team team is doing. On a night where they are facing the possible 2024 Cy Young award winner, the Mets should channel the spirit that brings their success. They are the fun team – and when they have fun, they start to win!
3. Scoreboard Watching. The Giants did the Mets a real solid on Tuesday night. Right after the Mets dropped the game to the Braves, the Giants started their rout of the Diamondbacks. The loss kept the Diamondbacks in the third wild card spot and gives the Mets more avenues to the post-season. Tonight the Diamondbacks counter with one of their best pitchers this season, Zac Gallen (3.74 ERA) against the rookie Mason Black (5.88 ERA).

Let’s Go Mets!

We have finally arrived! When the Grimace-era Mets showed us that the Mets could possibly be the real deal this year, there was a feeling that the entire season could come down to this series against the Braves. When the Mets started to stumble at the end of August, the hope for the post season was the Mets making a comeback throughout this last week of September. Now with the Mets in the driver’s seat, the Mets have an opportunity to exorcise their demons from the 2022 season when they went down to Atlanta up a game and Atlanta swept.

The difference in 2024 – it’s very possible that one of these two teams do not make the play-offs. If the Mets win two of three, they clinch a spot. If the Braves sweep, they control their own destiny. Adding to the chaos is the Arizona Diamondbacks who could fade and create a road for both teams. There’s also a hurricane currently forecasted to impact the Thursday night game. We are finally here!

Luis Severino has pitched 178 innings this season with a 3.79 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 1.225 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. Severino is coming off back-to-back starts where he allowed three runs over six innings due in large part to three homers. Since August 17th Severino has a 2.64 ERA, 3.46 FIP striking out 47 batters over 44 1/3 innings. In both starts against the Braves this season he allowed two runs over five innings. The Braves have the following career numbers against Severino:

• Ozzie Albies 0-3
• Orlando Arcia 1-9, K
• Travis d’Arnaud 2-6, K
• Adam Duvall 0-3, K
• Michael Harris II 1-5, K
• Jarred Kelenic 1-5, HR, K
• Whit Merrifield 4-12, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Ramon Laureano 2-5, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Sean Murphy 0-1
• Matt Olson 4-10, 2B, 4 BB, 5 K
• Marcell Ozuna 2-4, HR, 3 BB, K
• Jorge Soler 1-6, 3 K
• Gio Urshela 0-6, K

Spencer Schwellenbach is wrapping up his rookie season where he pitched 109 2/3 innings with a 3.61 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 1.103 WHIP and a 115 ERA+. He’s allowed three total runs in his last two starts over 12 innings. His best start of the season this year was against the Mets where he held the Mets to no runs over seven innings while striking out 11 batters. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 1-3, 2B, K
• José Iglesias 0-2, K
• Francisco Lindor 0-3
• J.D. Martinez 0-3, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-3, K
• Luis Torrens 0-2, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 0-2, 2 K
• Jesse Winker 0-3, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Francisco Lindor or Luisangel Acuña. He’s slowly been getting better over the last couple of days, with heavy emphasis on the slowly. The Mets heart and soul of the team matches up well with Sale, who is slated to go tomorrow, so there is an advantage to keeping him out tonight, or only having him take a pinch hit at bat. Keeping the pressure off pushing Lindor is how well Acuña has played, and how the well the team has played as a whole the last week. Over his first nine games in the majors Acuña is hitting .379/.400/.828 with a 239 OPS+.
2. Brandon Nimmo. The Mets needed a player to step up, and Nimmo has answered the call. In his last five games he has gone 5-for-20 with a double and three home runs, and the homers have come in huge moments for the Mets. He asked fans to fill the park for the last series of the season. He was the difference maker on Sunday night. Now he has the power momentum, something we haven’t seen since the first half of the season.
3. Scoreboard Watching. The Diamondbacks lost a west coast game to the Giants last night, and now are half a game behind the Mets in the wild card standings. Brandon Pfaadt is on the mound tonight for the Diamondbacks. After a slew of bad starts (23 runs over four games), Pfaadt pitched a gem in his last start holding the Brewers to one run over seven innings. The Giants are counting with Logan Webb. The Mets currently have the tie breaker with the Diamondbacks.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Phillies match up for the last time in the regular season tonight, with the Mets looking to take the four game series from the Phillies. It’s been a weekend that has seen the Mets score 10 runs in the series opener, the Phillies with a rout on Friday and a close game Saturday afternoon. The Phillies have their ace on the mound tonight trying to clinch the NL East title – something they would love to celebrate in Queens tonight. The Mets are looking to keep their breathing room in the NL wild card race heading into their three game series with the Braves. It’s practically play-off baseball tonight!

Tylor Megill makes his fifth start of the season tonight since rejoining the rotation after the Paul Blackburn injury. Over 14 games this season he has pitched 68 1/3 innings with a 4.08 ERA, 3.46 FIP (career best), 1.259 WHIP and a 97 ERA+ (also a career best). In his last four games he’s had a 1.69 ERA, 2.09 FIP over 21 1/3 innings. In his last two starts he has allowed only one unearned run, no earned runs from three hits over 12 innings while striking out 13. The Phillies have the following career numbers against Megill:

• Alec Bohm 2-7, 2B, K
• Nick Castellanos 1-7, 2B, K
• Bryce Harper 2-10, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Marsh 2-7, HR, 3 K
• J.T. Realmuto 4-12, 2B, HR, 6 K
• Johan Rojas 0-2
• Kyle Schwarber 1-7, 2B, 3 BB, K
• Edmundo Sosa 1-5, K
• Bryson Stott 0-8, 3 K
• Trea Turner 1-4, BB
• Weston Wilson 1-3, K

Zack Wheeler is wrapping up another dominant season, possibly his best of his career. Over 186 2/3 innings he has a 2.56 ERA (career best), 3.14 FIP, 0.954 WHIP (career best and league leading) and a 158 ERA+ (career best). He’s also leading the league in hits per nine innings at 6.2 (also a career best). In his last four starts he has allowed only four runs from 14 hits and four walks while striking out 29 batters over 26 innings. The Mets have and Wheeler are matching up for the first time in 2024 tonight. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 10-31, 2 2B, 2 BB, 6 K
• José Iglesias 3-8, 2B
• Francisco Lindor 8-29, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 K
• Starling Marte 7-20, 2B, 3B, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 12-41, 3 2B, 3B, HR, BB, 7 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-3, K
• Mark Vientos 1-3
• Jesse Winker 0-7, 2 BB

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Pete Alonso. There is a possibility that Pete Alonso’s last home game as a Met happens tonight. Pete Alonso has been a home run hitting machine for the Mets, hitting 226 so far in his Mets career. He has four All-Star game appearances. While he’s having a down year, he still has a .808 OPS and 128 OPS+ (which is not actually his lowest career OPS+). Alonso has powered the 2022 Mets with a league leading 131 RBI’s. Tonight the Mets are going to need a slugger in the lineup.
2. Iglesias and Acuña. The Mets have been carrying the team over the last week. Iglesias added to his hitting streak yesterday going 2-for-5 with a double. Over his last 15 games he has gone 24-for-58 slashing .414/.443/.535. More recently he’s been getting extra-base hits on top of just getting on base. Meanwhile, Acuña continued his meteoric rise on Saturday going 2-for-3 with a double and homer. He is hitting .385/.407/.885 over his first eight games of his career with six extra-base hits.
3. The Standings. The Braves won a back-and-forth game with the Marlins today, so the Mets need the win against them to keep their two game lead, critical before heading into a three game series with them. The Diamondbacks had an 8-0 lead today and somehow the Brewers completed a massive comeback. With a win tonight, the Mets would pull back into a tie with the Diamondbacks, which is really a one game lead thanks to the tie-breaker.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets try to get back in the win column this afternoon as they play the third game in the four game set against the Phillies. After three straight games of scoring 10 runs, the Mets offense struggled Friday night to get anything going. Coupled with a good night for the Phillies bats, it was an ugly loss for the Mets. But the Braves lost too and going into play today the Mets have sole possession of the third wild card spot by two games.

Sean Manaea has pitched 171 innings this season with a 3.26 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 1.082 WHIP and a 121 ERA+. Over his last two games he has allowed only two runs over 13 2/3 innings while striking striking out 14 batters. Since July 30th he’s had a 2.49 ERA, 2.91 FIP over 65 innings. He’s had two starts against the Phillies this season. In May he held the Phillies to only one run over six innings in Queens. Then in June he allowed six runs from seven hits including two homers over 3 2/3 innings during the London Series. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Alec Bohm 2-7, HR, 2 K
• Nick Castellanos 5-13, 2B, 2 HR, 4 K
• Kody Clemens 0-1
• Bryce Harper 4-8, 2 2B, HR, K
• Brandon Marsh 0-3, BB, 2 K
• J.T. Realmuto 0-4, BB, 3 K
• Johan Rojas 0-3, K
• Kyle Schwarber 1-3, 2 BB
• Edmundo Sosa 4-6, 2B, 3B, HR, K

Ranger Suárez has pitched 143 2/3 innings this season for the Phillies with a 3.13 ERA, 3.09 FIP, 1.142 WHIP and a 129 ERA+. In his last four games he has a 5.12 ERA, 4.00 FIP from 11 runs over 19 1/3 innings. Ranger faced the Mets twice earlier this season. In Queens he allowed two unearned runs over five innings and then in London he allowed two runs overs over 5 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 2-17, 2 2B, 5 BB, 4 K
• Eddy Alvarez 0-2
• Francisco Alvarez 0-5, 3 K
• Harrison Bader 1-5
• José Iglesias 4-5, 2B, K
• Francisco Lindor 5-16, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Starling Marte 6-16, 2B, 2 BB, K
• J.D. Martinez 2-9, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-22, 3 BB, 3 K
• Tyrone Taylor 1-5, BB, 2 K
• Luis Torrens 1-5, BB, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 3-12, 2B, HR, 4 K
• Jesse Winker 1-5, 2 K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. José Iglesias. Iglesias continued his hot streak last night going 2-for-4 with a lead off homer. During his 14 game hitting streak he has gone 22-for-53 slashing .415/.446/.528. In his last eight games he has gone 15-for-39 with six multi-hit games. Iglesias had a .310 batting average before this streak started and is now hitting .333.
2. Keep runners for stealing. There was a period of time this season where runners ran all over the Mets. Last night the Phillies had 17 hits and stole five bases.
3. Scoreboard watching. The Braves behind Max Fried are going to get started with the Marlins at the same time as the Mets this afternoon. The Braves lost to the Marlins Friday night and failed to pick up a game against the Mets. The Diamondbacks behind Merrill Kelly look to pick up third consecutive win against the Brewers. Meanwhile the Padres will try to give the White Sox their 119th loss of the season.

Let’s Go Mets!