(You are probably reading this during Game 1, this was written before Game 1 started. I hope it was good. I also hope the Pirates didn’t change their mind about their starter, leaving this article void).
The Mets and Pirates are set to play the second game of today’s double header featuring Jacob deGrom and Juan Nicasio. I know its early to mention this, but this poses an interesting situation for the Mets this weekend. Do they start a starter on short rest? Does Logan Verrett get the spot start (my leading theory at this point/most conventional strategy)? Do they bump someone from the rotation to make up for it? Give players an extra day even though there’s an off day Monday? Go with two starters again this weekend in the same game and then use the off-day to reset? (Probably not).
Sorry for diverging.
Jacob deGrom is 3-1 over 9 starts and 55.0 innings this year with a 2.62 ERA while striking out 47 batters. In his last two starts he has tossed 14.0 innings allowing 2 ER, 5 walks while striking out 16 batters. It has been a minute since deGrom has faced the Bucs. He pitched two games, both no-decisions and tossed 13.1 innings of 1.35 ERA ball against the Pirates in 2014. The Pirates have the following numbers against Jacob:
- McCutchen 3-5
- Mercer 1-5
- Harrison 0-3
- Marte 0-2
- Polanco 0-2
Juan Nicasio is 4-4 over 10 starts and 53.0 innings with a 4.75 ERA in his first season with the Pirates. The long time Rockie (Rocky?) spent last year the Dodgers. Since the start of May he has pitched 5 games and 26.0 innings with an ERA of 6.23. He pitched against the Mets three times last year in relief totaling 3.1 innings and 4 runs. The Mets have the following numbers against Juan:
- Loney 2-11, 2B
- Walker 3-10, 2B, 3B
- Granderson 1-7, 2B
- Cabrera 2-6, HR
- Lagares 2-5, 2B, 3B
- Rivera 2-4, 2B, HR
- Flores 1-2, 2B
Let’s Go Mets!
