213 Miles From Shea

The Mets head into the last series of the season with quite a bit of uncertainty. Last night’s game was suspended in the bottom of the ninth with the Mets down one run. If the game is needed, and there’s a high chance it will be, the Mets and Marlins will finish playing on Monday. As of writing, it looks like it will rain all day today in New York. If that forecasts holds out to be true, its hard to believe that the field will be in playing condition tonight.

In addition to all of the weather news the Mets have had a couple of injuries in the last couple of days. Jeff McNeil has a partial tear in his UCL, while surgery is not expected, he’s done for the season. Brandon Nimmo sustained a shoulder season last night likely ending his 2023 campaign.

Tylor Megill gets the start tonight. Over 24 starts this season he has pitched 119 innings with a 4.92 ERA, 5.14 FIP, 1.622 WHIP and an 86 ERA+. In the month of September he has allowed nine runs, eight earned over 22 innings (3.27 ERA, 5.67 FIP) while striking out 16 batters. This includes his last start which was also against the Phillies where he allowed three runs over six innings from five hits. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• J.T. Realmuto 2-9, 2B, HR, 5 K
• Bryce Harper 2-8, 3 K
• Kyle Schwarber 1-5, 2B, 2 BB
• Trea Turner 1-4, BB
• Alec Bohm 2-7, 2B, K
• Bryson Stott 0-5, 3 K
• NIck Castellanos 1-7, 2B, K
• Brandon Marsh 2-4, HR, 2 K
• Rodolfo Castro 0-2, 2 K
• Johan Rojas 0-2
• Edmundo Sosa 1-2

The Mets bats will get to face Taijuan Walker one more time this season. Over 30 starts (165 2/3 innings) Walker has a 4.35 ERA, 4.46 FIP, 1.316 WHIP and a 99 ERA+. In his first three starts in September he allowed 15 runs, 14 earned over 17 1/3 innings (7.27 ERA). He had a much better start his last time out, against the Mets no less, where he allowed two runs over six innings from five hits and a walk. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 2-13, 3 K, BB
• Brandon Nimmo 3-9, 2B, HR, K, 2 BB
• Rafael Ortega 2-5, 2 K, BB
• Pete Alonso 2-7, 2 2B, 3 K, BB
• Brett Baty 0-5, K
• DJ Stewart 0-5, 2 K
• Omar Narváez 1-4, K, BB
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-4, K
• Francisco Álvarez 0-4, 2 K
• Ronny Mauricio 0-3
• Mark Vientos 0-2

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Brett Baty. Baty has been emerging this month from his summer long slump, collecting 12 hits over 18 games (not including his 1-for-3 performance last night which isn’t official yet) including a double a two homers. We would love to see Baty have a big weekend to end 2023 off on a positive note and gain some momentum heading into the off season.
2. Ronny Mauricio. Mauricio has become the reason to watch the Mets since he was called up. He’s collected 21 hits in 86 trips hitting .244/.286/.349. He’s cooled off a bit after his torrid start. Can Ronny get one or two more extra-base hits to close out the season? His two homers have been absolute lasers.
3. Milestone Tracker. Time is really starting to runout on these! Francisco Lindor needs four RBI’s this weekend to reach 100 for the second season in a row (and the second time in his career). Álvarez is looking for two more to get to 25 and Pete Alonso needs four more for 50 on the year (unlikely, but not impossible!).

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Marlins split their doubleheader yesterday. The Marlins are now tied for the last wild card spot in the National League. The Mets are now two losses behind the Angels for a protected draft pick. Depending on your point of view, both outcomes for the Mets tonight are positive. Win and make it more difficult for the Marlins to qualify for the post season. Lose and get one step closer to a protected draft pick.

David Peterson makes his last start of the season this evening for the Mets. Over 26 games, 20 starts, he has thrown 104 innings with a 5.37 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.596 WHIP and a 79 ERA+. His last start was rough, allowing four runs from five hits over four innings against the Phillies. In the month of September Peterson has allowed 14 runs, 13 earned, over 19 2/3 innings over four starts (5.95 ERA, 3.36 FIP) while striking out 29 batters. The only other time this season he faced the Marlins was at the start of the season where he pitched five innings allowing one run from eight hits. The Marlins have the following career numbers against him:

• Jon Berti 3-14, 2B, 5 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 0-7, 4 K, BB
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 0-4, K, BB
• Nick Fortes 2-7, K
• Josh Bell 3-7
• Garrett Hampson 1-5, 3B
• Luis Arraez 1-2, BB
• Jacob Stallings 1-2, K
• Jorge Soler 2-5, HR, K
• Yuli Gurriel 1-2
• Jesús Sánchez 0-3, K

Jesús Luzardo makes his last regular season start tonight for the Marlins. Over 31 starts (171 1/3 innings) Luzardo has a 3.73 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 1.243 WHIP and a 120 ERA+. Luzardo is coming off of a start where he allowed three runs from three hits and three walks over five innings against the Brewers. Before that he shutout the Braves over six innings. The last time he faced the Mets was his first start of the season where he allowed no runs from two hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 2-9, 3 K
• Pete Alonso 2-13, HR, 5 K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-7, 2B, HR, 2 BB
• Jeff McNeil 4-10, 2 K
• Tim Locastro 0-4, K, BB
• Luis Guillorme 0-1, BB
• Mark Vientos 0-3, K, BB
• DJ Stewart 0-1

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Francisco Lindor: Lindor had a day yesterday. He was one of three Mets that homered in the first game and then he homered twice in the night cap. The three homers took him to 30 on the year making him the first Met since David Wright (2007) to have a 30-30 season! He ha lived up to every part of his mega contract so far and still has more milestones he can reach this season.
2. The Marlins: This year the Mets saw the Marlins a lot in spurts. The Marlins are one of like five teams the Mets play in spring training, so it felt like we were playing them every other day. Then the Mets had two series against the Marlins in the first two weeks of the season, coincidentally the only time the Mets had a strong winning percentage this season. The Mets and Marlins went the rest of spring and all of summer without playing each other, only two have two series against each other in the last two weeks of the season. We’ll see our BFFs, the Miami Marlins, again in spring training next year!
3. Milestone Tracker: We already discussed that Lindor reached his 30-30 season last night with his amazing three home run day. His six RBI’s on the day has him at 96 on the season, four more would mean 100 for the second season in a row (and the the second time in his career). Barring something going horribly wrong, David Peterson should set a career high for innings pitched in a season. He is only 1 2/3 innings behind his career high set last year. Nimmo is still looking for one more home run to reach 25, Álvarez is looking for two more to get to 25 and Pete Alonso needs four more for 50 on the year (after hitting one yesterday).

Let’s Go Mets!

This is the Kodai Senga game. For the last time this year we get to see Kodai Senga pitch as he makes the case to be the Rookie of the year. Kodai was always good this season, but about midway through the season, towards the end of June, things started to click and his performance jumped to the next level.

Kodai Senga makes his last start in his amazing rookie year today for the New York Mets. Over 28 starts he has thrown 161 1/3 innings with a 2.96 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.221 WHIP and a 143 ERA+. In his last 14 starts since June 28^th he has thrown 84 2/3 innings, striking out 101 batters with a 2.44 ERA, 3.00 FIP. Since August 19^th he has pitched in six games throwing 38 2/4 innings while striking out 45 batters with a 1.86 ERA. This includes his last start against the Marlins where he held them to two runs from seven hits over six innings of work. He has truly been one of the bright spots of this season. The Marlins have the following career numbers against him:

• Jazz Chisholm 2-8, HR, 3 K, BB
• Jorge Soler 3-8, 2B, 3 K, BB
• Bryan De La Cruz 1-5, K
• Jon Berti 2-6, K
• Luis Arraez 3-5, BB
• Jacob Stallings 0-3, 2 K, BB
• Jesús Sánchez 0-5, 3 K
• Garrett Hampson 0-1, K, BB
• Josh Bell 1-3, HR
• Yuil Gurriel 0-2, K
• Xavier Edwards 0-2

Johnny Cueto makes the start in the nightcap for the Marlins. Cueto has pitched in 12 games, making nine starts this year tossing 48 innings with a 6.19 ERA, 6.92 FIP, 1.271 WHIP and a 73 ERA+. Since rejoining the team in September he has pitched 15 2/3 innings over three starts and two relief outings with a 7.47 ERA (8.24 FIP). This includes two innings against the Mets back on the 20^th where he allowed two runs over two innings from three hits (both runs coming on homers). The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 1-3, 2B, HR, BB
• Omar 3-7, HR
• Francisco Lindor 1-3, BB
• Pete Alonso 1-4
• Rafael Ortega 1-3
• Tim Locastro 1-3
• Jeff McNeil 0-3, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 2-3, 2B
• Brett Baty 1-1, HR
• Ronny Mauricio 0-1
• Mark Vientos 0-1

Three Things To Watch For:

1. 200 Strikeouts. Kodai Senga sits right now at 194 strikeouts for the season, so close to 200. He only needs six more, something he’s done a lot this season, to reach this magic number. Last time out against the Marlins he only struck out two batters.
2. A sub-3.00 ERA. Senga has been so effective his last few starts that his ERA has dipped below the 3.00 mark. A slightly better than quality start today should lock that number in for the season. This is really due to his 1.86 ERA in starts since August 19th.
3. That ghostfork for one more game in 2023. When the Mets signed Senga in the off-season, videos of Senga’s ghostfork went viral online. We’ve seen Senga mix his ghostfork and fastball to get some absolutely silly swings from batters. We cannot wait to see his signature pitch tonight, one last time this season.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets collapse in 2007 was punctuated by a Marlins team that beat the Mets on the last day of the season. For me personally, it’s a demon that has never been fully exorcised, despite the collapse being more about the Mets than anything else. The Mets have the chance to return the favor all of these years later as the Marlins chase a playoff berth with one week to go in the season. The Marlins are one game out of the third wild card spot. The Mets, despite losing four games in a row, our somehow two losses out of a protected pick in the draft.

Last night’s game couldn’t happen due to the last four days of rain we’ve in in the New York area. The reports are that the Mets didn’t have the field covered on Saturday, and by the time they got it covered there was just too much water on the infield to properly dry out. In general, it’s just been a real mess weather wise the last four days and absent of any definitive proof, I don’t think this is the Mets messing with the Marlins on purpose. That being said, in the context of exorcising demons, maybe there’s part of me still recovering from the 2007 season that’s okay with the impact of the weather.

Joey Lucchesi has made eight starts for the Mets this season, totaling 40 2/3 innings with a 2.88 ERA, 4.36 FIP, 1.279 WHIP and a 148 ERA+. His first start since rejoining the rotation was brilliant. He allowed one run, none earned, over seven innings from five hits. Last time out he allowed three runs, two earned, over 5 2/3 against the Marlins in a game the Mets eventually lost 4-3. The Marlins have the following career numbers against Lucchesi:

• Garrett Hampson 6-19, 2B, HR, 4 K, BB
• Josh Bell 3-10, 2 2B, 2 K, BB
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 0-5, 2 K
• Jon Berti 1-2, 2B, BB
• Jorge Soler 1-2, 2B, K, BB
• Jake Burger 1-2
• Bryan De La Cruz 0-3
• Xavier Edwards 1-2, K
• Nick Fortes 0-1, K
• Joey Wendle 1-1, 2B

Garrett has made 29 starts and pitched in 30 games this season totaling 155 2/3 innings with a 3.53 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.143 WHIP and a 127 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed only three runs, two earned, over 21 2/3 innings (0.83 ERA, 2.61 FIP). This includes a start against the Mets last week where he allowed one unearned run from five hits over six innings in a game the Marlins eventually won 4-3. Earlier in the year the Mets scored four runs from 15 hits over 7 2/3 innings across two starts. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 4-13, HR, 3 K, 2 BB
• Brandon Nimmo 1-10
• Francisco Lindor 4-12, 2B, 2 HR, 3 K
• Francisco Álvarez 1-5, 3 K
• Jeff McNeil 3-6, 2B, BB
• Luis Guillorme 1-4, BB
• Tim Locastro 0-4, 2 K
• Ronny Mauricio 1-3, 2B, K
• DJ Stewart 0-2, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-1
• Mark Vientos 0-2
• Omar Narváez 1-2

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Joey Lucchesi: Tonight is probably Joey’s last start of the year. Potentially he could see some work out of the pen or make a short start in one of the very last games of the season. He’s been impressive this year in the short spurts the Mets have given him and the Mets have plenty of rotation holes going into next season. Could next season be the year the Mets finally give Lucchesi a consistent chance? Tonight is effectively his last audition before spring training.
2. Strikeouts. The Mets bats collectively looked lost on Sunday night, racking up 13 strikeouts in the game to only one walk and three hits. The Mets bats are at their best when they are patient at the plate. Four players struck out multiple times with Mauricio and Alonso each striking out three times. (Mauricio also hit a laser for his second career homer). When this happened a few weeks ago, before the Mets offense had a mini-resurgence, the first signs that the Mets bats were coming back was the K/BB ratio dropped to about 2/1 after being 4+/1 for several straight games. We’ll be looking at strikeouts and walks tonight to get a sense of what this last week will feel like.
3. Milestone Tracker: There aren’t many games left to reach these milestones! Lindor is three home runs away from a 30-30 season. Nimmo is still looking for one more home run to reach 25, Álvarez is looking for two more to get to 25 and Pete Alonso needs five more for 50 on the year.

The Mets collapse in 2007 was punctuated by a Marlins team that beat the Mets on the last day of the season. For me personally, it’s a demon that has never been fully exorcised, despite the collapse being more about the Mets than anything else. The Mets have the chance to return the favor all of these years later as the Marlins chase a playoff berth with one week to go in the season. The Marlins are one game out of the third wild card spot. The Mets, despite losing four games in a row, our somehow two losses out of a protected pick in the draft.

Joey Lucchesi has made eight starts for the Mets this season, totaling 40 2/3 innings with a 2.88 ERA, 4.36 FIP, 1.279 WHIP and a 148 ERA+. His first start since rejoining the rotation was brilliant. He allowed one run, none earned, over seven innings from five hits. Last time out he allowed three runs, two earned, over 5 2/3 against the Marlins in a game the Mets eventually lost 4-3. The Marlins have the following career numbers against Lucchesi:

• Garrett Hampson 6-19, 2B, HR, 4 K, BB
• Josh Bell 3-10, 2 2B, 2 K, BB
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 0-5, 2 K
• Jon Berti 1-2, 2B, BB
• Jorge Soler 1-2, 2B, K, BB
• Jake Burger 1-2
• Bryan De La Cruz 0-3
• Xavier Edwards 1-2, K
• Nick Fortes 0-1, K
• Joey Wendle 1-1, 2B

Braxton Garrett is probably making another start after today’s game. If he didn’t though, his season started with two game straight against the Mets and it ended with two straight games against the Mets.

Garrett has made 29 starts and pitched in 30 games this season totaling 155 2/3 innings with a 3.53 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.143 WHIP and a 127 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed only three runs, two earned, over 21 2/3 innings (0.83 ERA, 2.61 FIP). This includes a start against the Mets last week where he allowed one unearned run from five hits over six innings in a game the Marlins eventually won 4-3. Earlier in the year the Mets scored four runs from 15 hits over 7 2/3 innings across two starts. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 4-13, HR, 3 K, 2 BB
• Brandon Nimmo 1-10
• Francisco Lindor 4-12, 2B, 2 HR, 3 K
• Francisco Álvarez 1-5, 3 K
• Jeff McNeil 3-6, 2B, BB
• Luis Guillorme 1-4, BB
• Tim Locastro 0-4, 2 K
• Ronny Mauricio 1-3, 2B, K
• DJ Stewart 0-2, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-1
• Mark Vientos 0-2
• Omar Narváez 1-2

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Joey Lucchesi: Tonight is probably Joey’s last start of the year. Potentially he could see some work out of the pen or make a short start in one of the very last games of the season. He’s been impressive this year in the short spurts the Mets have given him and the Mets have plenty of rotation holes going into next season. Could next season be the year the Mets finally give Lucchesi a consistent chance? Tonight is effectively his last audition before spring training.
2. Strikeouts. The Mets bats collectively looked lost on Sunday night, racking up 13 strikeouts in the game to only one walk and three hits. The Mets bats are at their best when they are patient at the plate. Four players struck out multiple times with Mauricio and Alonso each striking out three times. (Mauricio also hit a laser for his second career homer). When this happened a few weeks ago, before the Mets offense had a mini-resurgence, the first signs that the Mets bats were coming back was the K/BB ratio dropped to about 2/1 after being 4+/1 for several straight games. We’ll be looking at strikeouts and walks tonight to get a sense of what this last week will feel like.
3. Milestone Tracker: There aren’t many games left to reach these milestones! Lindor is three home runs away from a 30-30 season. Nimmo is still looking for one more home run to reach 25, Álvarez is looking for two more to get to 25 and Pete Alonso needs five more for 50 on the year.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Phillies go for a four game sweep of the Mets tonight after a rainy weekend in Philly. The Phillies pushed today’s start back to 6:05 due to rain in the area that should be clearing around mid-afternoon. This gives the grounds crew a few hours to make sure the field is playable. It’s also, potentially, an important day for the Phillies as they could clinch their playoff spot tonight. For the Mets, losing three in a row has them knocking on the door again of a protected draft pick.

José Butto makes another start tonight. Over seven games and 32 innings this season he has a 3.09 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 1.344 WHIP and a 138 ERA+. Since joining the rotation in September he’s made three starts where he has allowed only four runs from 12 hits and five walks over 17 1/3 innings (2.08 ERA, 1.94 FIP). The Phillies have the following career numbers against Butto:

• J.T. Realmuto 1-3, 2B, K
• Alec Bohm 3-3, 2 HR
• Bryson Stott 1-2, K
• Nick Castellanos 1-3, K
• Kyle Schwarber 1-2, BB

Cristopher Sánchez is on the bump tonight trying to clinch it for the Phillies. Over 17 starts (91 1/3 innings), Sánchez has a 3.55 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 1.095 WHIP and a 122 ERA+. In his last three starts he’s allowed 12 runs, 10 earned, over 21 innings (4.29 ERA, 3.55 FIP) and this stretch includes an outing where he shutout the Marlins over five innings. In other words, he’s been hittable as of late. In his one start against the Mets this year he allowed three runs from five hits over five innings while striking out four. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 2-4
• Pete Alonso 1-5, HR, K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-5, K, BB
• Jeff McNeil 1-3, 2B, K
• Luis Guillorme 1-3, 3B, 2 K
• Francisco Álvarez 0-1, K
• Omar Narváez 0-1

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Brett Baty hot streak? Brett Baty is heating up as we head into the final week of the season. He went 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored last night. In his last five games he’s gone 7-for-19 at the plate with five runs scored and two home runs (.368/.368/.684). After his struggles for long stretches this season, it would be awesome for him to end on a positive note and bring that into the winter.
2. Jeff McNeil. For the last week or so every day we are talking about Jeff McNeil or Brandon Nimmo. Jeff McNeil has had four multi-hit games in his last six games played. Overall in this stretch he is 11-for-24 with two doubles, a triple, a home run and two walks leading to a .458/.500/.750 batting line. On July 16th McNeil was hitting .248/.324/.321 for the season. After an incredible second half he has risen his season numbers to .272/.336/.381.
3. Milestone tracker. Time is running out for these milestones as we enter the last week of play! Lindor is three home runs away from a 30-30 season. Nimmo is still looking for one more home run to reach 25, Álvarez is looking for two more to get to 25 and Pete Alonso needs five more for 50 on the year.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets officially were eliminated from post season play last night, following their extra-inning loss to the Phillies. The game represented the season, Mets getting out ahead, completely losing it in the middle, and showing life late. Now the Mets and Phillies will attempt to navigate baseball this afternoon with fairly rainy conditions today. If they can get the game in today, it’s going to be a wet and windy one.

José Quintana has pitched 65 2/3 innings for the Mets over 11 starts this year with a 3.02 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 1.279 WHIP and a 141 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed only five runs from 20 hits over 24 2/3 innings (1.82 ERA, 3.42 FIP). Since returning to the rotation, Quintana has become a dependable starter for the Mets, going at least five innings each start with eight quality start out of 11 total. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Nick Castellanos 11-42, 2 HR, 7 K, 2 BB
• Bryce Harper 0-11, 5 K
• Trea Turner 5-15, 2B, K
• Kyle Schwarber 1-9, 4 K
• J.T. Realmuto 1-9, HR, 2 BB
• Rodolfo Castro 0-4, K
• Bryson Stott 0-1, BB
• Alec Bohm 2-5, 2B
• Edmundo Sosa 1-2, K

From one old friend to another, for a second straight game the Mets face a former Met in Zack Wheeler. Over 30 starts throwing 181 innings this season, Wheeler has a 3.63 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 1.066 WHIP and a 119 ERA+. On September 12th he had an abnormally poor start allowing six runs from seven hits over five innings, including three homers against the Braves. He bounced back in his last start, also against the Braves, where he held them to one run over six innings. Wheeler faced the Mets at the end of June and allowed five runs from nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against Wheeler:

• Brandon Nimmo 11-37, 3 2B, HR, 6 K, BB
• Jeff McNeil 5-29, 8 K, 2 BB
• Francisco Lindor 7-26, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 K
• Pete Alonso 10-28, 2 2B, 5 K, BB
• Luis Guillorme 3-14, 2B, 2 K, 2 BB
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-12, HR, 5 K, BB
• Rafael Ortega 3-15, 2 K
• Omar Narváez 2-6,2 K, 2 BB
• Brett Bay 2-5
• Tim Locastro 1-3

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Brett Baty! Brett Baty hit his ninth homer of the season last night, and it was the homer responsible for sending the Mets into extra innings. This was Baty’s second home run in three games now and in his last four games he’s collected five hits in 15 trips to the plate. Not exactly lighting the world on fire, but after his deep slump this summer, this is all welcomed news.
2. Brandon Nimmo getting on base. Nimmo already had two games this week where he recorded three hits. Last night he got to base three times the old fashion Nimmo way, collecting one hit and a pair of walks. Since September 3rd (18 games) Nimmo has had a .412 OBP, raising his season OBP from .355 to .362. He truly is prolific at getting on base.
3. Milestone tracker. Francisco Lindor hit a home run yesterday! His 27th on the season. He’s now only three home runs away from a 30-30 season. Nimmo is still looking for one more home run to reach 25, Álvarez is looking for two more to get to 25 and Pete Alonso needs five more for 50 on the year.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets dropped the first game of the series last night 5-4 as the Phillies were able to hold off every comeback attempt the Mets made. The Phillies were able to increase their lead on the first wild card spot to five games and the Mets clinched a losing record for 2023. Last night’s results across the league put the Mets wild card elimination number to two, so it’s possible the Mets can also be officially eliminated from wild card play tonight.

Tylor Megill has made 23 starts tossing 113 innings with a 4.94 ERA, 5.18 FIP, 1.655 WHIP and an 86 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed seven runs, six earned, over 22 innings while striking out 18 batters. During this stretch he’s had a 2.45 ERA (4.76 FIP) and has knocked his season ERA below five for the first time since June 16th. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• J.T. Realmuto 1-6, 2B, 4 K
• Bryce Harper 1-6, 2 K
• Kyle Schwarber 0-2, 2 BB
• Alec Bohm 1-4, 2B, K
• Trea Tuner 1-2
• Nick Castellanos 0-4, K
• Bryson Stott 0-2, K
• Rodolfo Castro 0-2, 2 K
• Brandon Marsh 2-2, HR
• Edmundo Sosa 1-2

The Mets bats get to face an old friend tonight in Taijuan Walker. Over 29 starts Walker has through 159 2/3 innings with a 4.40 ERA, 4.54 FIP, 1.328 WHIP and a 98 ERA+. Last year for the Mets he made 29 starts throwing 157 1/3 innings with a 3.49 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 1.195 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a rough stretch so far in September where he has allowed 15 runs, 14 earned over his last three starts (17 1/3 innings). The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 2-10, 2 K, BB
• Brandon Nimmo 2-7, 2B, HR
• Rafael Ortega 0-4, 2 K, BB
• Pete Alonso 1-4, 2B, K, BB
• DJ Stewart 0-5, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-4, K
• Francisco Álvarez 0-4, 2 K
• Brett Baty 0-4, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-4
• Omar Narváez 0-2, BB

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Mark Vientos. He did it again! On Wednesday he hit two home runs. Last night hit hit another home run, bringing him to eight on the year. Since August 29th Vientos has hit six homer and has gone 20-for-66 at the plate (.303/.343/.606). Before this stretch he was hitting .195/.234/.305 on the season. He’s now hitting .226/.266/.389.
2. Jeff McNeil. For the last several days either McNeil, Nimmo or both have had three hit nights. Yesterday was McNeil’s turn going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and a triple. In his last four games he is 8-for-16 with four runs scored, two doubles, a triple and a home run.
3. Milestone Tracker. Lindor stole two bases last night, bringing him to 30 stolen bases on the season – the most he’s ever had in his career (next closest is 25). He’s now four home runs shy of a 30-30 season. Nimmo is still looking for one more home run to reach 25, Álvarez is looking for two more to get to 25 and Pete Alonso needs five more for 50 on the year.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets continue to shake-up the the wild card standings tonight as they take on Phillies. In the last three series the Mets have played the Diamondbacks, Reds and Marlins, all who were fighting for the last wild card spot. The Diamondbacks, after losing the series to the Mets, now have the second spot while the Marlins and Reds are on the outside looking in. The Phillies have a four game lead and have been able to stay above the fray but if the Mets take this series than the whole top of the standings could be in disarray by Monday.

David Peterson makes his 20th start of the year after hitting exactly 100 innings for the season in his last start. He has a 5.22 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.590 WHIP and an 81 ERA+. If he has a quality start today, throws at least six innings, he will pass his career high for innings pitched in one season (105 2/3). Since August 4th Peterson has made eight starts pitching 37 2/3 innings with a 4.06 ERA and 4.69 FIP. In his last two starts he has allowed six runs, five earned, from 14 hits and three walks while striking out 18 batters in 11 2/3 innings (3.86 ERA, 2.32 FIP). The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Alec Bohm 3-14, 2 2B, HR, 6 K, BB
• Bryce Harper 5-13, 2B, HR, 4 K, 2 BB
• J.T. Realmuto 2-10, 2B, 3 K, 3 BB
• Trea Turner 2-10, 2B, 4 K, BB
• Kyle Schwarber 1-7, 2B, 4 K, BB
• Nick Castellanos 2-4, 4 K, BB
• Brandon Marsh 1-1
• Edmundo Sosa 0-1
• Rodolfo Castro 1-1, HR

The Mets bats look to pick up where they left off last night against Ranger Suárez. Over 20 starts (113 2/3 innings) this season Suárez has a 3.80 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 1.399 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. In his last six starts (34 2/3 innings) he has a 2.86 ERA (4.07 FIP) while striking out 36 batters. He faced the Mets at the end of May where he allowed two runs from five hits over 6 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 3-13, 2 K, 2 BB
• Pete Alonso 0-10, 2 K, 2 BB
• Francisco Lindor 2-9, HR
• Francisco Álvarez 0-3, 2 K
• Luis Guillorme 2-4
• Mark Vientos 1-3, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-5, K
• Rafael Ortega 0-1, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Mark Vientos. Vientos had a night last night going 2-for-4 at the plate with two homers, bringing him up to seven home runs on the season. Since September 12th he has gone 12-for-35 at the plate with three homer runs hitting .343/.361/.600. Before this stretch his batting average was .199 for the season and is now .226.
2. Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo has now collected three hits in back to back nights. Since September 12th, Nimmo has gone 16-40 at the plate with five doubles, a triple, a home run and three walks (.400/.442/.650). He’s ending the year on a hot streak and it’s no coincidence the team in general has done better in the last week or so.
3. Milestone Tracker. Brandon Nimmo’s home run last night brought him to 24 on the season, just one shy of 25! There was no movement for the other players we’ve been tracking for the last week. Lindor is four home runs and two stolen bases short of a 30-30 season. Alonso needs five home runs to reach 50. Álvarez is looking for two more home runs to reach 25 on the year.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets bid to play spoiler for two nights in a row failed late as the Marlins overcame the Mets late game comeback. Entering play today, the Diamondbacks have a half game lead on the second wild card spot. The Cubs snapped their losing streak and have the third wild card spot. The Marlins are half a game behind the Cubs and the Reds are sitting one game out. Meanwhile the Mets have “fallen” to ninth in the tankathon standings as every team they’re chasing lost last night except the Royals.

Kodai Senga is putting together a resume for either Rookie of the Year or Cy Young. Over 27 starts and 155 1/3 innings he has a 2.95 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 1.210 WHIP and a 143 ERA+. In his last five starts he has pitched 32 2/3 innings (1.65 ERA, 3.17 FIP) allowing only six runs while striking out 42 batters. Since July 5th he has made 12 starts with a 2.32 ERA, 2.88 FIP. The last time Senga faced the Marlins was way back at the start of the season where he allowed two runs from six hits and six walks over 11 1/3 innings (back-to-back starts) while striking out 14 batters. The Marlins have the following stats against Kodai:

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 1-5, HR, 3 K, BB
• Jorge Soler 1-6, 2B, 3 K
• Luis Arrez 3-5, BB
• Jon Berti 0-4, K
• Bryan De La Cruz 0-2, K
• Jacob Stallings 0-1, K, BB
• Jesús Sánchez 0-2, 2 K
• Yuli Gurriel 0-2, K
• Nick Fortes 0-2, K
• Joey Wendle 0-2

The Mets bats will get a look at Eury Pérez tonight. Over 18 starts and 88 1/3 innings, he has a 3.06 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 1.098 WHIP and a 145 ERA+. The Marlins are trying to be careful with Eury’s innings this season and he hasn’t thrown above 90 pitches since July 6th. In September he has allowed eight runs from 14 hits and six walks over 14 1/3 innings while striking out 16 batters. Four of the 14 home runs he’s allowed this season have come over his last three starts. This will be his first time facing the Mets.

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Can Kodai Senga reach 200 strikeouts for the season? Senga is sitting at 191 strikeouts for the season. Reaching the 200 mark, while keeping his season ERA below 3.00, would be a nice boost to his resume for either ROY or Cy Young.
2. Jeff McNeil loves hitting in Miami. So far this series McNeil has gone 5-for-8 at the plate with a double and a homer. Last night was McNeil’s third three hit game since September 2nd. Over this stretch McNeil has gone 19-for-63 with eight extra-base hits. He’s finishing 2023 strong.
3. Milestone Tracker. There was a little movement last night again on the milestones we are watching for the rest of the season as Lindor stole a base for the second night in a row. He is now sitting at 26 homers and 28 stolen bases on the season as time ticks down to reach 30-30. Pete Alonso has five more home runs to go until 50. Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Álvarez each have two more home runs to go for 25 on the season.

Let’s Go Mets!