The Mets finally got back in the win column last night! PJ Conlon was excellent the first time through the batting order (hitters were 0-8 with a walk) but got hit hard his second time through prompting an early exit (in addition to starting his first major league game, he also picked up his first major league hit). The Mets offense though gave the team quite the cushion thanks to some long-needed power from Conforto and Gonzalez. The Reds would chip away at the Mets lead the rest of the night but would ultimately lose to the Amazin’s by a score of 7-6.
Speaking of players needing redemptive performances, tonight’s starter is Jason Vargas who has had a terrible start to 2018. He is 0-2 in his first two games as a Met allowing 15 runs from 20 hits and 5 walks, including 5 homers, in 8.1 innings. In his career he has pitched in Cincinnati twice where he has allowed 7 runs, 6 earned, over 10.1 innings from 10 hits and 6 walks. The only member of the Reds who have seen Jason in a game is Eugenio Suarez who is 1-4 against him.
The Mets bats will try to keep the offense flowing against Luis Castillo, who is coming off of his rookie season. Last year he was 3-7 over 15 games and 89.1 innings with a 3.12 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.075 WHIP and 141 ERA+. This year in 7 games he has struggled with a 1-4 record, 7.01 ERA, 5.20 FIP, 1.673 WHIP and 57 ERA+. He is coming off of his best start of the season against the Brewers where he pitched into the 7th inning (but didn’t record any outs) allowing 2 runs from 9 hits and a walk. He has never faced the Mets before and the only member of the Mets who has seen him is Todd Frazier who is 1-2 against him.
Lets Go Mets!
