213 Miles From Shea

The Mets can clinch a playoff berth tonight with a win in Milwaukee!

The Mets are coming fresh off of a four game sweep of the Pirates and barreling full speed towards locking in their first playoff berth since the 2016 season. Despite sweeping the Pirates this weekend, they did not gain any separation in the division standings as the Braves swept the Phillies. The Braves also helped out the Brewers. The Brewers are now only two games out of the last Wild Card spot, chasing the Phillies.

Max Scherzer will kick the series off for the Mets tonight. Over 20 starts and 127 2/3 innings this season, Scherzer has a 2.26 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 0.924 WHIP and a 173 ERA+. Scherzer’s last start was against the Nationals on September 3rd where he held the Nationals to one run from three hits and a walk over five innings of work. He was cruising through the game, throwing only 67 pitches so we all knew something was wrong when he didn’t comeback out in the 6th inning. It was related to the same injury that caused him to miss time earlier in the year, and the Mets did the cautious, correct thing with shutting him down for an IL stint to make sure he is good to go for the final push.

The Brewers have the following career numbers against Scherzer:

• Andrew McCutchen 8-39, 3 2B, HR, 3 BB, 16 K
• Christian Yelich 10-32, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 2 BB, 9 K
• Jace Peterson 5-25, 2 2B, 3 BB, 11 K
• Kolten Wong 5-23, BB, 5 K
• Willy Adames 0-5, 4 K
• Rowdy Tellez 1-5, BB, K

The Mets start the series off facing last year’s Cy Young award winner, Corbin Burnes. Corbin has made 29 starts and pitched 179 innings this season with a 2.97 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 0.983 WHIP and a 134 ERA+. Since August 18th he has made six starts, tossing 36 innings allowing 24 runs, 21 earned from 36 hits include 6 homers (5.25 ERA, 4.16 FIP). He he faced the Mets earlier this season he allowed two runs from five hits (including a homer) over six innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 1-12, 8 K
• Pete Alonso 3-9, 2B, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 3-10, HR, K
• Tyler Naquin 3-8, BB
• Brandon Nimmo 5-9, 2B, 3B, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-6, HR
• Luis Guillorme 0-4, 2 K
• James McCann 0-4, 2 K
• Darin Ruf 0-2, BB< K
• Mark Canha 0-2
• Eduardo Escobar 0-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets go for the four game sweep of the Pirates this afternoon with Jacob deGrom on the mound! Last night, the Mets got a huge homerun early from Eduardo Escobar. After that Chris Bassitt cruised through the rest of his outing. Probably the most important development last night was David Peterson out of the bullpen. Peterson gave the Mets 2 1/3 innings of one run baseball. Going down the stretch of the season, an effective Peterson out of the pen would be a huge boon to this Mets squad.

Jacob deGrom has started eight games this season tossing 49 1/3 innings with a 2.01 ERA, 1.44 FIP, 0.588 WHIP and a 195 ERA+. In his last start, deGrom tied an MLB record with 39 consecutive starts with three earned runs or less. In that start he allowed three runs from five hits and no walks over six innings while striking out 10 batters against the Cubs.

The Pirates got to see deGrom in Pittsburgh earlier in September and it didn’t go well for the Pirates. Jacob held them to no runs from three hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out eight. The Pirates have the following career numbers against deGrom:

• Ben Gamel 1-6, 2 K
• Rodolfo Castro 0-3, K
• Oneil Cruz 1-3, K
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-3, 2 K
• Tucupita Marcano 0-3, K
• Bryan Reynolds 2-3

The Mets bats will close out this series against Johan Oviedo. Between the Cardinals and the Pirates this season, Oviedo has pitched in 17 games, making four starts over 35 innings with a 3.34 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 1.343 WHIP and a 120 ERA+. Since coming over to the Pirates he has only been used as a starter, making three starts pitching 9 2/3 innings with a 3.72 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 1.448 WHIP and a 117 ERA+.

Oviedo is coming off of his best start of the season where he shutout the Reds over five innings and holding them to only one hit. This was the completely opposite of his start against the Mets, which happened a few days prior. In that game the Mets recorded four runs from one hit because they drew five walks over 1 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Oviedo:

• Tyler Naquin 1-5, 2B, BB, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-7, K
• Pete Alonso 0-2, BB, 2 K
• Eduardo Escobar 1-4
• Jeff McNeil 0-3, K
• Tomás Nido 2-2, HR
• Brandon Nimmo 0-1, BB
• Mark Canha 0-0, BB
• Francisco Lindor 0-0, BB
• James McCann 0-0, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

Two in a row! Last night was the second night in a row that Daniel Vogelbach had a big important hit. The Braves had a comeback win of their own last night so they are still only one game behind the Mets.

Chris Bassitt looks to lead the Mets to a series victory against the Pirates this evening. Over 27 games and 165 innings, Bassitt has posted a 3.44 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.152 WHIP and a 114 ERA+. Bassitt is coming off of a rough start against the Cubs where he allowed five runs from five hits (two homers) over 3 2/3 innings. Before that start he was in the midst of a seven game stretch where he had a 1.75 ERA over 46 1/3 innings.

That seven game stretch included a fantastic start against the Pirates in Pittsburgh where he held the Pirates to one run from five hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out 10 batters. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Bassitt:

• Roberto Perez 3-8, K
• Michael Chavis 2-5, 2B, 2 K
• Bryan Reynolds 1-4, BB, K
• Oneil Cruz 1-2, K
• Greg Allen 1-3, 2B, 2 K
• Tucupita Marcano 0-3, K
• Rodolfo Castro 0-2, BB, K

The Mets bats will take on Bryse Wilson tonight. Over 21 games and 17 starts this season Wilson has pitched 94 innings with a 6.03 ERA, 5.24 FIP, 1.500 WHIP and a 70 ERA+. In his last six games he has pitched 28 innings with a 6.43 ERA (5.68 FIP) from allowing 21 runs, 20 earned off of 35 hits and six walks. This includes a start against the Mets where the Mets were able to score four runs from seven hits and no walk (two homers) over six innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Wilson:

• Eduardo Escobar 2-7, HR, 2 BB, K
• Tyler Naquin 3-6, 2 HR, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 1-5
• Jeff McNeil 1-5
• Brandon Nimmo 1-4, BB, K
• Mark Canha 0-2
• Francisco Lindor 0-3
• Tomás Nido 1-3, 2B, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 1-2
• James McCann 1-1

Let’s Go Mets!

The New York Mets are back!

The Mets took the series opener 7-1 last night against the Pirates behind good pitching and good hitting. Now the Mets are looking to string together a few wins in a row to keep chipping away at their magic number for the playoffs.

Tonight’s start is a bit of revenge start of sorts for Taijuan Walker. This season Walker has made 25 starts totaling 134 2/3 innings with a 3.48 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 1.203 WHIP and a 112 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a strong start against the Marlins where he held Miami to one run over seven innings from five hits and no walks while striking out 10.

Before that start Walker faced the Pirates in Pittsburgh. He did better than last year but still it wasn’t great. He allowed four runs from six hits and two walks over five innings. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Walker:

• Bryan Reynolds 2-6, BB
• Ben Gamel 1-3, 3 BB
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-5, K
• Kevin Newman 2-4, BB
• Michael Chavis 1-3
• Oneil Crus 2-3, 2B

The Mets bats draw Mitch Keller tonight. Over 27 games, 25 starts this season, Keller has tossed 137 innings with a 4.01 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.409 WHIP and a 105 ERA+. Keller has been on a role over his three starts, allowing only two runs in 19 innings from 11 hits and seven walks while striking out 18 batters (0.95 ERA, 3.16 FIP). Before he was on this run, he allowed 15 runs, 9 earned, over three starts and 11 innings (7.36 ERA, 4.57 FIP).

The Mets faced him at the beginning of the month and he shut the Mets out over six innings, scattering five hits and two walks. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Tyler Naquin 4-10, 3 2B, 4 K
• Francisco Lindor 1-2, 4 BB
• Pete Alonso 0-3
• Jeff McNeil 0-3
• Brandon Nimmo 0-2
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-2, BB, K
• Mark Canha 1-2, K
• Eduardo Escobar 1-2
• James McCann 1-2
• Darin Ruf 0-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The roughest game preview articles to write follow inexplicable losses. The Mets on paper should not be swept by the Cubs. But it happened. Last night the Mets starting pitching faltered early and the bullpen was able to bail the Mets out. The offense, for the most part, was ice cold again. It’s been a theme this week.

It’s Roberto Clemente Day across the league today and the Mets welcome the Pirates to Queens. The Pirates should be the focus on Clemente Day, I don’t understand how they can be on the road today, but I digress. Earlier this month the Mets swept both games of a doubleheader against the Pirates after dropping the series Opener. The Mets will look to channel that same energy from the doubleheader tonight as they open the four game series.

Carlos Carrasco, the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award winner, gets the start for the Mets. Over 25 games and 135 innings, Carrasco has posted a 3.80 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.304 WHIP and a 103 ERA+. He has made two starts since retuning from the injured list. His first start was forgettable – allowing five runs, one earned, over 2 2/3 innings. Last time out he held the Marlins to one run from four hits and no walks in six innings of work. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Carrasco:

• Ben Gamel 5-8, 2 2B, HR
• Bryan Reynolds 0-4
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-2, BB
• Kevin Newman 1-2, 2B, BB

The Mets bats will get a look at JT Brubaker tonight. Over 26 starts and 138 1/3 innings of work, Brubaker has a 4.36 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 1.424 WHIP and a 96 ERA+. Over his last three games he has pitched 18 innings allowing 12 runs, 11 earned, from 20 hits and five walks (5.50 ERA). If we expand the scope, it’s not that much better. In his last seven games he has allowed 24 runs, 23 earned, over 38 1/3 innings, a 5.40 ERA. The Mets have the following career numbers against Brubaker:

• Tyler Naquin 1-13, 2B, 3 BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 0-5, 3 BB, K
• Pete Alonso 2-6, HR, K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-3, 2B, 3 BB, K
• James McCann 3-4, 2 HR, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-5, 2 K
• Dominic Smith 2-5, 2 K
• Darin Ruf 1-1, BB
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-1, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets offense was on fire last Wednesday. It was on fire Saturday and Sunday over the weekend. It seems the Mets have returned home without their offense. The Mets dropped their second game in a row to the Cubs last night, behind lackluster hitting. The Braves won last night, bringing them to only half a game out of first place.

Today the Braves will play before the Mets game even happens. There’s a possibility the Mets and Braves will be tied for the division lead again by first pitch (or the possibility the Braves will be back to a full game back).

Whatever happens with the Braves, the Mets need to win tonight’s game. For several days there was a debate about whether Trevor Williams or David Peterson should start tonight’s game. The argument was that Peterson could use an opportunity to be added to the bullpen and pitch against lefties. It seems like that plan will have to wait as he has been penciled in as tonight’s starter.

David Peterson has pitched in 22 games this season, making 18 starts and totaling 98 2/3 innings. He has posted a 3.47 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 1.328 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. He’s coming off of a not so great start against the Marlins, where he allowed three runs from five hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings. He held the Cubs back in July to one unearned run from three hits and tree walks over five innings. The Cubs have the following career numbers against him:

• Wilson Contreras 1-8, 3 K
• Ian Happ 1-6, 4 K
• Yan Gomes 1-5
• Patrick Wisdom 0-2, 2 BB, K
• Christopher Morel 0-2, BB
• Jason Heyward 0-2
• Seiya Suzuki 0-1, BB

The Mets bats will get a look at Drew Smyly tonight. Over 20 starts and 98 1/3 innings this season, Smyly has a 3.57 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.200 WHIP and a 118 ERA+. His two starts in August have been very different. He kicked off the month with a 2 1/3 inning outing against the Cardinals where he allowed seven run from five hits. Last time out he allowed only one unearned run over seven innings against the Giants. Since August he has allowed 10 earned runs over 39 1/3 innings, seven of those runs happened in one game.

He faced the Mets back in July and allowed two runs, one earned over 4 1/3 innings from five hits and a walk. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Starling Marte 4-15, 2 2B, 3 K
• Eduardo Escobar 7-12, 2B, 4 HR, 2 BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 4-13, 2B, BB, 2 K
• James McCann 6-12, 2 HR, BB, 3 K
• Mark Canha 1-9, BB, 3 K
• Pete Alonso 3-9, 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 2-8
• Brandon Nimmo 3-7, 2B, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-4, BB, K
• Darin Ruf 0-2, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets lost a frustrating game against the Cubs last night 5-2. At multiple points last night the Mets were able to load up the bases, but then couldn’t take advantage of those situations. Luckily, the Braves lost last night 3-2 against the Giants, extended their losing streak to three games and keeping them 1.5 games back in the standings. That being said, the Mets really do need to win today.

The Mets will turn to Jacob deGrom to make that win happen. Over 43 1/3 innings this season, deGrom has a 1.66 ERA, 1.39 FIP, 0.554 WHIP and a 237 ERA+. Over his last three starts he has allowed only two runs in 20 innings on the mound while scattering nine hits and and two walks. Both runs have come on solo homers. Jacob faced the Cubs last year, pitching three perfect innings with eight strikeouts and then had to leave the game early due to injury. The Cubs have the following career numbers against deGrom:

• Jason Heyward 9-27, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Willson Contreras 0-7, BB, 3 K
• Yan Gomes 3-7, 2 K
• Rafael Ortega 1-6, BB, 3 K
• Franmil Reyes 0-6, 3 K
• Patrick Wisdom 0-1, K

The Mets bats will face off tonight against Adrian Sampson. He has pitched in 16 games, including 14 starts this year totaling 76 2/3 innings with a 3.76 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.291 WHUP and a 112 ERA+. Over his last three starts he has allowed four runs over 14 1/3 innings from 14 hits and three walks. Sampson held the Mets this season to two runs from six hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Mark Canha 3-11, 2B, 2 HR, BB, K
• Daniel Vogelbach 3-12, 2 K
• Tyler Naquin 4-7, HR
• Eduardo Escobar 1-5, 2B, BB
• Francisco Lindor 1-5, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 1-3, K
• James McCann 2-3, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-3
• Brandon Nimmo 1-2, BB

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets weekend started off with losing first place to the Atlanta Braves. Since then the Mets have won both of their games and the Braves have lost both of their games – giving the Mets a 1.5 game lead in the division.

The Mets offense clicked again last night, scoring nine runs against the Marlins. For the Mets, who are fully in control of their own destiny again, the most important thing is to just win every game. Keep growing that separation between them and the Braves. Tonight the Mets will attempt to do that against the Chicago Cubs.

Chris Bassitt takes the mound tonight. Over 26 games and 161 1/3 innings this season, Bassitt has a 3.24 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 1.134 WHIP and a 121 ERA+. In his two September starts he has allowed a total of three runs over 13 innings from 11 hits and four walks while striking out 14 batters. He missed the Cubs when the Mets went to Chicago earlier in the season and the Cubs batters have the following career numbers against him:

• Zach McKinstry 1-6, HR, 2 K
• Franmil Reyes 0-6, 3 K
• Yan Gomes 0-3, K
• Jason Heyward 0-3, 2 K

The Mets bats will get a look at rookie Javier Assad this evening. Over four games and three starts he has pitched 15 1/3 innings with a 2.93 ERA, 4.62 FIP, 1.435 WHIP and a 145 ERA+. He’s coming off of the only start where he has allowed runs. Last week against the Reds he allowed four runs from five hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings against the Reds. In each of his starts this season he has reached 80 pitches with the highest amount thrown being 89. But only once has he pitched into 6th inning. If the Mets can drive up his pitch count and knock him out early, it would be a good opportunity to get into the Cubs bullpen the first game in this series.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets are back in first place! The Mets offense exploded last night with an eight run inning leading to an 11-3 win over the Marlins. A few hours later the Mariners beat the Braves and now the Mets are in control of their own destiny again.

Until the Mets get a little more separation in the division, every game is a must win. Before yesterday’s game, the Mets announced they were finally placing Starling Marte on the injured list and calling up another top prospect – Mark Vientos. Vientos is a top prospect in the Mets system, can play the corners in the infield and most importantly, can hit. Vientos was slashing .280/.358/.519 over 427 plate appearances for Syracuse before his call up, a league where he was 4.3 years younger than the average player.

Taijuan Walker gets the start today. Over 24 starts, 127 2/3 innings this season, Walker has a 3.60 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 1.230 WHIP and a 109 ERA+. His last time out wasn’t great – he allowed four runs from six hits and two walks over five innings against the Pirates. Hopefully Walker can move all of that behind him as he takes on the Marlins for the fifth time this season. Over his first four games he allowed seven runs from 20 hits and six walks over 25 1/3 innings (2.49 ERA). The Marlins have the following career numbers against Walker:

• Miguel Rojas 3-20, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 5-14, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Avisail Garcia 2-15, 2B, 7 K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-13, 2 BB, 4 K
• Brian Anderson 3-13, 5 K
• Garrett Cooper 1-8, BB, 3 K
• Joey Wendle 1-8, 2B, K
• Jacob Stallings 2-7, K

The Mets bats take on Jesus Luzardo this afternoon. Luzardo has pitched 13 games tossing 72 1/3 innings with a 3.36 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 1.023 WHIP and a 121 ERA+. Luzardo is coming off of a strong start against the Phillies where he allowed two runs, four hits, over seven innings of work. He’s missed the Mets completely this season so far but faced the Mets twice last season. Over two games he allowed five runs from six hits and seven walks over 10 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 2-6, HR, 2 K
• Eduardo Escobar 1-5
• Darin Ruf 0-4, BB
• James McCann 0-3, BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 0-3, K
• Jeff McNeil 0-3, K
• Tyler Naquin 0-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Marlins love spoiling the Mets in September. Last night the Mets couldn’t move beyond the Marlins despite multiple chances. The Braves beat the Mariners and now the Mets are in second place. But all it takes is a Mets win today and Braves loss and the Mets will be back in first place by the end of the day.

Really what the Mets need is to get a string of wins in a row. Last night was not it but hopefully Carlos Carrasco can make that happen against Pablo Lopez tonight. Carlos will be making his second start since returning from the injured list. His last start was rough against the Nationals. He allowed five runs, only one earned, from six hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings.

Overall this season he has made 24 starts pitching 129 innings with a 3.91 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 1.333 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. Carrasco has seen the Marlins three times already this year. In his first two starts against the Marlins he allowed five runs from 15 hits over 12 innings. In his last start against them, on July 30th, he allowed no runs from four hits over 7 2/3 innings. The Marlins have the following numbers against Carlos:

• Avisail Garcia 12-45, 2B, HR, BB, 13 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 3-15, HR, 5 K
• Joey Wendle 1-12, 2B, K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2-11, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Miguel Rojas 4-12, HR, K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-10, K
• Jorge Soler 1-7, 2 BB, 4 K
• Brian Anderson 2-7, 2B, K
• Jacob Stallings 1-7, 2 K
• Garrett Cooper 2-6, BB, 2 K

The Mets draw Pablo Lopez today. Last time the Mets and Marlins matched up, there were rumors flying around if Pablo Lopez was going to be traded at the deadline as he was one of the more consistent starting pitchers available. No deal materialized and Lopez is still with the Marlins. He’s made 27 starts this season tossing 150 innings with a 3.66 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.180 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. Since he faced the Mets at the end of July, he has made seven starts, totaling 34 innings, allowing 22 runs from 45 hits and 11 walks (5.82 ERA, 4.17 FIP).

In that start that has kicked off this stretch, he allowed six runs from 12 hits over 2 2/3 innings against the Mets. He’s had one additional rough start against the Mets this year where he allowed 7 runs, 6 earned over 5 1/3 innings, and another start where he held the Mets to only one run from a solo homer over five innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 6-20, 2B, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Pete Alonso 3-15, 2B, 3 BB, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 7-14, 3 2B, HR, BB, K
• Francisco Lindor 4-14, 2B, HR, 3 K
• Tomás Nido 1-8, BB, 4 K
• Mark Canha 4-5, 2B
• Eduardo Escobar 2-7, HR, 3 K
• Tyler Naquin 1-6, 3B, K

Let’s Go Mets!