213 Miles From Shea

The Mets and Cubs were rained out yesterday, so they’ll play two games as part of a split double header.

The first game today is probably the most anticipated game of the series as Marcus Stroman makes the start against his old club, the New York Mets. Stroman will face Taijuan Walker, who has had an amazing first half of the season and has held the rotation together.

The Mets traded for Stroman from the Braves a few years ago. After his second* season with the Mets, he accepted a qualifying offer to stay an additional year (he didn’t play his second season due to the pandemic). Surrounded by injuries last year, Stroman lasted the whole season, making 33 starts, pitching 179 innings while posting a 3.02 ERA and 134 ERA+. This off-season was a bit tumultuous between Stroman and the Mets. Ultimately, Stroman ended up signing a three year, 71 million dollar deal to play with the Cubs.

Over 10 starts and 51 1/3 innings this season, Stroman has a 4.91 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.188 FIP and an 86 ERA+. He had a short, but clean start his last time out allowing no runs from two hits and a walk over four innings against the Dodgers. That start was his first since returning from the injured list with a shoulder injury. Before Stroman landed on the injured list, he was finally only a roll, allowing only four earned runs over 24 innings. He then allowed nine runs over four innings in a start against the Cardinals (the start he got injured).

The Mets have the following numbers against Stroman:

• Francisco Lindor 6-20, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Eduardo Escobar 4-15, 2 2B, BB, K
• Ender Inciarte 1-9, 4 K
• Travis Jankowski 2-7, 2B, 2 K
• Starling Marte 1-6
• Mark Canha 1-3
• Brandon Nimmo 1-1, 2 BB
• Dominic Smith 0-2

Taijuan Walker finishes out his amazing first half of the season today for the Mets. Over 15 starts and 85 2/3 innings he has a 2.63 ERA, 3.00 ERA, 1.097 WHIP and 152 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a very strong start against Miami where he allowed no runs over seven innings from three hits and a walk. It was his second start in his last three where he went at least seven innings without allowing any runs. Walker has had a 1.85 ERA and a 2.01 FIP over his last six starts and 39 innings where he has also struck out 43 batters. The Cubs have the following numbers against him:

• Yan Gomes 3-11, 2 K
• Jason Heyward 1-7
• Wilson Contreras 1-5, BB, K
• Ian Happ 1-4, 2 BB
• Andrelton Simmons 1-2, BB
• Patrick Wisdom 1-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets get their first afternoon game in Chicago today as they play their second game of the series against the Cubs. Today is probably the most anticipated game of the series as Marcus Stroman makes the start against his old club, the New York Mets. Stroman will face Taijuan Walker, who has had an amazing first half of the season and has held the rotation together.

The Mets traded for Stroman from the Braves a few years ago. After his second* season with the Mets, he accepted a qualifying offer to stay an additional year (he didn’t play his second season due to the pandemic). Surrounded by injuries last year, Stroman lasted the whole season, making 33 starts, pitching 179 innings while posting a 3.02 ERA and 134 ERA+. This off-season was a bit tumultuous between Stroman and the Mets. Ultimately, Stroman ended up signing a three year, 71 million dollar deal to play with the Cubs.

Over 10 starts and 51 1/3 innings this season, Stroman has a 4.91 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.188 FIP and an 86 ERA+. He had a short, but clean start his last time out allowing no runs from two hits and a walk over four innings against the Dodgers. That start was his first since returning from the injured list with a shoulder injury. Before Stroman landed on the injured list, he was finally only a roll, allowing only four earned runs over 24 innings. He then allowed nine runs over four innings in a start against the Cardinals (the start he got injured).

The Mets have the following numbers against Stroman:

• Francisco Lindor 6-20, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Eduardo Escobar 4-15, 2 2B, BB, K
• Ender Inciarte 1-9, 4 K
• Travis Jankowski 2-7, 2B, 2 K
• Starling Marte 1-6
• Mark Canha 1-3
• Brandon Nimmo 1-1, 2 BB
• Dominic Smith 0-2

Taijuan Walker finishes out his amazing first half of the season today for the Mets. Over 15 starts and 85 2/3 innings he has a 2.63 ERA, 3.00 ERA, 1.097 WHIP and 152 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a very strong start against Miami where he allowed no runs over seven innings from three hits and a walk. It was his second start in his last three where he went at least seven innings without allowing any runs. Walker has had a 1.85 ERA and a 2.01 FIP over his last six starts and 39 innings where he has also struck out 43 batters. The Cubs have the following numbers against him:

• Yan Gomes 3-11, 2 K
• Jason Heyward 1-7
• Wilson Contreras 1-5, BB, K
• Ian Happ 1-4, 2 BB
• Andrelton Simmons 1-2, BB
• Patrick Wisdom 1-2, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets head to Chicago after winning a critical series with the Braves. The Braves had a chance to take first place from the Mets with a sweep and the Mets were able to hold them off by taking two out of three. Now the Mets travel to the Windy City to finish their terrific first half of the season.

Carlos Carrasco gets the start for the Mets tonight. He’s made 17 starts and pitched 93 innings this year with a 4.55 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 1.344 WHIP and a 88 ERA+. In Carrasco’s last two starts he’s allowed only three runs from 13 hits and three walks over 11 1/3 innings. That translates to a 2.38 ERA and a 2.76 FIP. The Cubs have the following career numbers against Carrasco:

• Jason Heyward 0-6, 2 BB, K
• Andrelton Simmons 2-7
• Wilson Contreras 2-6, 2 K
• Ian Happ 1-5, 2B, 2 K

The Mets draw Keegan Thompson for the opener. Keegan has pitched in 19 games and made 11 starts over 77 innings with a 3.04 ERA, 3.62 FIP, 1.169 WHIP and a 139 ERA+. As a starter only he has tossed 51 innings with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.294 WHIP. In his last two starts he has allowed only one earned run, three runs total, over 9 2/3 innings while striking out 11 batters.

Keegan faced the Mets in relief last year, allowing no runs one a hit and two walks over 2 innings of work. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Eduardo Escobar 0-2, BB, K
• Pete Alonso 0-1
• Luis Guillorme 0-0, BB
• Travis Jankowski 0-1
• Francisco Lindor 0-0, BB
• Dominic Smith 0-1, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Braves end their three game set with an early afternoon game! Chris Bassitt will take on Charlie Morton!

Chris Bassitt has made 16 starts totaling 96 innings this season with a 3.94 ERA, 3.79 FIP, 1.135 WHIP and a 101 ERA+. Bassitt ended up as the losing pitcher his last time out despite a strong outing where he held the Marlins to two runs on six hits while walking no one. It was his first start since landing on the Covid related IL. Overall in his last four starts he has pitched 27 2/3 innings allowing eight runs (2.60 ERA) from 20 hits and only three walks while striking out 24 batters.

Against the Braves earlier this season, Bassitt allowed three runs from six hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out 8 batters. The Braves have the following numbers against Chris:

• Robinson Canó 2-11, BB
• Marcell Ozuna 0-4, BB, K
• Ronald Acuna Jr. 1-3, K
• Ozzie Albies 1-3, K
• Travis d’Arnaud 2-3, 2B
• Adam Duvall 0-2, 2 K
• Matt Olson 0-3, K
• Austin Riley 2-3, HR
• Eddie Rosario 1-3
• Dansby Swanson 0-2, BB, K

It feels like the Mets have faced an overwhelming amount of rookies and young pitchers the last couple of weeks. That ends today – the Mets face 38-year-old Charlie Morton. Over 17 games and 94 innings this season he has a 4.21 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.223 WHIP and a 102 ERA+. He has been on a tear though recently that matches the tear the Braves as a team have been on. In his last five starts he has pitched 33 2/3 innings with a 1.60 ERA, 2.66 FIP. This includes 42 strikeouts.

He started against the Mets back on May 3rd and allowed five runs, four earned, over 5 2/3 innings from seven hits and three walks . The Braves have the following numbers against him:

• Francisco Lindor 2-26, 2 2B, 8 K
• Starling Marte 3-13, 2 BB, 4 K
• Dominic Smith 3-12, HR, 4 K
• Eduardo Escobar 2-12, BB, 3 K
• Luis Guillorme 1-6, 4 BB
• Pete Alonso 4-10, 2B
• Ender Inciarte 1-7, BB, K
• Travis Jankowski 2-6, BB, 2 K
• Mark Canha 1-6, 2 K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-5, BB, 2 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets took the critical first game of the series last night in the battle of the Max’s! Max Scherzer looked great and held the Braves to only one run over seven innings. The bats were able to string together enough hits to score four runs. Edwin Díaz showed why he’s an All-Star and struck out all three batters he faced.

With the victory yesterday, it is now impossible for the Braves to finish the series in first place. Today and tomorrow are still critical games for the Mets as they look to build back more separation in the division.

David Peterson will make his 14th appearance this season this evening. So far he has tossed 62 innings with a 3.48 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 1.274 WHIP and a 115 ERA+. He’s coming off of a rough start against the Reds where he allowed three runs from four hits and five walks over 3 2/3 innings. Overall in his last four starts he has a 3.27 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 22 innings. In his previous 40 innings before that, he has 35 strikeouts.

In his one start against the Braves this season he allowed four runs, three earned over five innings from four hits and three walks. The Braves have the following career numbers against him:

• Ronald Acuna Jr. 1-7, HR, 4 BB, 2 K
• Marcell Ozuna 0-10, BB, 4 K
• Austin Riley 5-10, 3 2B, BB, 3 K
• Dansby Swanson 3-11, 2B, 5 K
• Ozzie Albies 2-10
• Travis d’Arnaud 0-8, BB, 5 K
• Adam Duvall 4-6, 2 2B, HR, BB, K
• Matt Olson 1-2, HR, BB

The Mets bats draw the young pitcher Spencer Strider. The 23-year-old right handed batter has pitched in 19 games this season throwing 65 2/3 innings. He has a 2.60 ERA, 1.83 FIP, 0.975 WHIP and a 166 ERA+. Only eight of those 19 games have been starts. As a starter he has thrown 41 1/3 innings with a 2.83 ERA and a 0.944 WHIP. He is in the midst of a dominating streak, allowing only one run over his three starts and 18 innings of work while striking out 30 batters. Very few Mets have seen Strider in a major league game:

• Francisco Lindor 1-2
• Brandon Nimmo 1-2, HR
• Pete Alonso 0-0, BB
• Dominic Smith 0-1

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Braves meet up for one of the most important series of the season. The Braves have been incredibly hot over the last month and are now only 1.5 games behind the Mets. This makes tonight’s game the most important. The Mets can rob the Braves of their momentum and their ability to be in first place by the end of the series with a victory today.

This also has become a series of reunions too. A couple of weeks ago the Mets signed former Mets-killer Ender Inciarte to a minor league deal and he’s currently on the major league roster. The Braves just traded for Robinson Canó yesterday and he is expected to get called up from the minor league roster to the major league roster in time for this series.

Max Scherzer gets the start tonight. Over nine starts and 55 2/3 innings this season he has a 2.26 ERA, 2.62 FIP, 0.880 WHIP and a 177 ERA+. Last week he returned from the injured list and held the Reds to just two hits over six innings while striking out a season high of 11 batters. In two starts against the Braves last season he allowed four runs from eight hits and no walks over 12 innings while striking out 18 batters. The Braves have the following career numbers against him:

• Marcell Ozuna 11-41, 5 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 12 K
• Dansby Swanson 7-38, 3 2B, HR, 2 BB, 15 K
• Ozzie Albies 4-25, HR, 3 BB, 10 K
• Travis d’Arnaud 5-26, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 10 K
• Ronald Acuna Jr. 7-20, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, BB, 6 K
• Adam Duvall 1-9, 6 K
• Austin Riley 1-7, 3 K

It’s the battle of the Max’s tonight as Scherzer will face off against Max Fried. Fried has made 17 starts and pitched 107 1/3 innings this year with a 2.52 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 1.025 WHIP and a 172 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed only four runs from 21 hits and four walks (1.35 ERA, 1.68 FIP) over 26 2/3 innings. Against the Mets earlier this season he allowed two runs from four hits and no walks over six innings with six strikeouts. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 4-21, 2 HR, 5 BB, 8 K
• J.D. Davis 4-20, 3 BB, 7 K
• Jeff McNeil 8-22, 3 2B, 5 K (On Paternity Leave)
• Brandon Nimmo 2-13, 2B, 3 BB, 5 K
• Francisco Lindor 1-12, HR, 4 K
• Starling Marte 4-11, 2 2B, 2 K
• James McCann 0-7, 2 BB
• Eduardo Escobar 2-8, 3 K
• Luis Guillorme 2-4, 2B
• Mark Canha 2-3, HR, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets and Marlins match up this Sunday with a fantastic pitching set up. Taijuan Walker, who has been on fire for the last month or so faces off against one of the best pitchers in baseball right now, Sandy Alcantara.

Taijuan Walker has made 14 starts, tossing 78 2/3 innings this season with a 2.86 ERA, 3.09 FIP, 1.144 WHIP and a 140 ERA+. Since May 22nd he has made nine starts and tossed 55 2/3 innings with a 2.59 ERA and 2.67 FIP. In his last five starts he has pitched 32 innings with a 2.25 ERA, 2.01 FIP and 36 strikeouts.

This stretch includes back to back starts against the Marlins where he allowed four runs over 12 2/3 innings from 10 hits and three walks while striking out 14 batters. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Miguel Rojas 2-16, 2B, 4 K
• Avisail Garcia 2-15, 2B, 7 K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 4-10, 2 2B, 4 BB, 3 K
• Jesus Aguilar 2-11, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Brian Anderson 3-10, 3 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 4-10, 2 K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-7, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jon Berti 4-7, K
• Garrett Cooper 1-6, 3 K
• Jorge Soler 1-6, K

Sandy Alcantara has made 17 starts and pitched a league leading 123 1/3 innings this year with a 1.82 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 0.908 WHIP and a 227 ERA+. He is coming off of a dominating start against the Angels where he allowed no runs from two hits while striking out 10. He’s made two starts against the Mets this season. In the first start the Mets were able to score two runs from six hits and a walk over eight innings. In the second start the Mets made him look human. The Mets scored five runs, four earned, over seven innings from six hits. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 4-24, 3 2B, HR, BB, 7 K
• Jeff McNeil 8-25, 2B, HR, 3 BB, K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-23, 2B, 3 BB, 5 K
• Francisco Lindor 7-19, 2 2B, HR, BB, K
• Eduardo Escobar 1-15, K
• Dominic Smith 2-14, K
• Ender Inciarte 0-7, 3 BB
• J.D. Davis 4-10, 2 2B
• Mark Canha 1-3, HR

Let’s Go Mets!

Happy Keith Hernandez Day! The All-Star first basemen and announcer for the New York Mets gets his number retired today at Citi Field. A long time criticism of the Mets was the team didn’t honor their own history. Things have changed the last two seasons with ceremonies for both Jerry Koosman and Keith. If you are going to the ballpark today, we hope you have an Amazin’ day and get to share stories about Keith on the field with those who were too young to see him.

At 33 years old, I definitely fall in the “too young to see him” bucket but I remember when I was in high school when SNY formed and introduced us to Gary, Keith and Ron. From telling us about the fundamentals, to his love of tootsie pops, to stories about his cat, I have loved having Keith be part of of my daily routine. Thank you Keith!

There’s also a baseball game today! Carlos Carrasco will make his 17th start of the season. Over 87 1/3 innings he has a 4.64 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 1.328 WHIP and a 87 ERA+. Carrasco ended the month of June with back to back rough starts, allowing 11 runs over 6 2/3 innings. Last time out he held the Rangers to only one run from six hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Carrasco Faced the Marlins in the middle of June and allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings from eight hits and two walks while striking out seven. The Marlins have the following numbers against Carrasco:

• Avisail Garcia 11-42, 2B, HR, BB, 12 K
• Jesus Aguilar 3-9, 2B, 2 BB, K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 211, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Billy Hamilton 3-10, 3B, 2 BB, 2 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 3-10, HR, 2 K
• Jorge Soler 1-7, 2 BB, 4 K
• Miguel Rojas 3-7, HR, K
• Jacob Stallings 1-7, 2 K
• Jesus Sanchez 1-5, 2 K

Braxton Garrett gets the start for the Marlins. Over six starts and 29 2/3 innings this season he has a 4.25 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 1.449 WHIP and a 98 ERA+. Braxton is coming off of a terrific start against the Nationals where he allowed only one run over 7 1/3 innings from four hits and a walk. His start before that he allowed five runs from seven hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Cardinals.

Braxton faced the Mets on June 18th and allowed three runs from five hits and two walks over four innings of work, in a game the Mets won 3-2. The Mets have the following career numbers against Braxton:

• Pete Alonso 0-3, 2 BB
• J.D. Davis 1-3, 2 BB, 2 K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-3
• Dominic Smith 2-3
• Mark Canha 1-1, BB
• Eduardo Escobar 0-2
• Francisco Lindor 1-2, HR
• Starling Marte 1-2
• Jeff McNeil 1-2

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets opened the series last night against the Marlins in grand fashion! J.D. Davis hit a grand slam, putting a cap on the Mets blowout 10-0 win. Davis has been struggling for most of the season, so it was great seeing him get a big hit to really put the game out of reach. James McCann, also struggling for most of the season, got a big three homer.

The bullpen for tonight’s game is also well rested thanks to Trevor Williams who tossed seven innings of shutout ball, followed by Jake Reed who provided two additional innings.

The story of tonight’s game will be the return of Chris Bassitt. He felt fatigued last week, took a covid test, self-reported the positive test (which is the responsible thing to do) and was put on the Covid IL list. He was frustrated with the process and gave a press conference yesterday were he suggested he may consider a different course in the future (which is the irresponsible thing to do).

Chris Bassitt has pitched 89 2/3 innings over 15 starts this season with a 4.01 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 1.149 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. In his last three starts he has allowed six runs over 21 1/3 innings, translating into a 2.53 ERA and 2.77 FIP. He has also struck out 21 batters in that stretch. One of those starts was against the Marlins where he pitched 6 1/3 innings and was tagged for three runs. However, those three runs came on a grand slam that happened after he was pulled out of the game. The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Jorge Soler 2-8, HR, K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2-6, 2B, 2 K
• Avisail Garcia 0-6
• Miguel Rojas 2-6, K
• Jacob Stallings 1-6, 3 K
• Bryan De La Cruz 2-4, HR, BB, K
• Jesus Aguilar 1-3, K
• Jon Berti 0-2, BB, 2 K
• Garrett Cooper 1-3, K

The Mets bats will get a look at Pablo Lopez this evening. Lopez has made 16 starts throwing 94 innings this year with a 2.97 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.074 WHIP and a 139 ERA+. His last four starts have alternated between being terrible to good, and he’s coming off of a good start. Last time out he allowed only two runs from three hits over 6 1/3 innings against the Nationals. Earlier in June he faced the Mets where he allowed seven runs, six earned, over 5 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Brandon Nimmo 4-14, 2B, 2 BB, 3 K
• Pete Alonso 2-11, 3 BB, 2 K
• Ener Inciarte 6-12, 2B, BB, 3 K
• J.D. Davis 5-10, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil4-10, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Francisco Lindor 2-9, HR, 2 K
• Dominic Smith 1-9, 2B, K
• Luis Guillorme 3-6, 2B, K

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets are back! The Mets bats have been almost nonexistent for the better part of the last week. Through most of the game yesterday they managed to cobble together two runs and heading into the 9th inning there was a feeling of doom sweeping over Mets Twitter (which I guess isn’t a rare thing to happen anyway). The Mets were able to tie the game into the 9th and finally broke out in the 10th inning, scoring 5 runs, capped by a three run bomb by Brandon Nimmo.

Now the Mets welcome the red hot Miami Marlins to Citi Field – again. The Marlins have won 7 of their last 10 games and have a +12 run differential, leading to an expected win/loss record of 41-39.

Trevor Williams will get the series started for the Mets. Williams has pitched 45 2/3 innings (15 games, seven starts) with a 4.34 ERA, 4.82 FIP, 1.336 WHIP and a 93 ERA+. His last start was a bit rough as the Rangers were able to muscle three homers against him, leading to five runs over 3 2/3 innings. He missed the Marlins when the Mets faced them last month (instead Williams got a double dose of Houston). The Marlins have the following numbers against him:

• Billy Hamilton 2-12, BB, 2 K
• Jesus Aguilar 1-6, 2B, BB, 5 K
• Miguel Rojas 1-7, 2 K
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. 0-4, K
• Lewin Diaz 0-4, 2 K
• Jesus Sanchez 2-4, HR, K
• Jacob Stallings 1-3, BB
• Garrett Cooper 2-3, 2B
• Jorge Soler 0-1, BB
• Bryan De La Cruz 0-1, K

The Mets bats will try to channel the 10th inning last night against Daniel Castano tonight. Castano has tossed 26 innings over seven games and four starts this year with a 2.42 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 1.346 WHIP and a 173 ERA+. In his four starts, also his last four games, eh has pitched 22 innings with a 2.86 ERA and a 5.06 FIP. During that span he has allowed 21 hits and nine walks but has only allowed nine runs. This span includes a start against the Mets where he allowed two runs from five hits and two walks over seven innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Castano:

• Pete Alonso 2-7, 2B, HR, 2 BB
• Brandon Nimmo 2-9, 2B, HR, K
• J.D. Davis 4-8, 2 2B
• Francisco Lindor 0-4, BB, K
• Jeff McNeil 1-4, BB, K
• Dominic Smith 2-4, 2B, K
• Mark Canha 0-3, K
• Eduardo Escobar 0-3, K
• Luis Guillorme 0-3
• Starling Marte 1-2, 2B, BB, K
• Ender Inciarte 0-2

Let’s Go Mets!