Game Preview: Mets @ Phillies

2021’s first rubber game of the year!

The Mets play the rare mid-week, mid-afternoon getaway game (usually these games are at 1 PM) today as the Mets try to take the series from the Phillies. After melting down during the 8th inning on Monday night, the Mets came roaring back last night thanks to a great start by Marcus Stroman and 4 run 7 inning.

Dominic Smith got the Mets started early, with a 2 run homer and in the 7th inning, they got Vince Velasquez to post one of the more insane pitching lines in history: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 4 ET, 4 BB, 4 K. The big inning (plus a 2 run shot by Pete Alonso in the 9th inning, part of this big night) ended up being critical as the Mets started to melt down again in the 9th inning. But they held on for the win!

On to this afternoon! David Peterson will look to pick up where he left off in his rookie season. In 10 games, 9 starts, David pitched 49.2 innings with a 3.44 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 1.208 WHIP and a 127 ERA+. He’s coming off a spring where he allowed 5 runs from 10 hits over 12.0 innings, leading to an ERA of 3.75 and a 1.083 WHIP. David’s one game against the Phillies last year was not a good one as he allowed 5 runs from 3 hits and 4 walks over 2.0 innings. The Phillies have the following numbers against him:

Rhys Hoskins 1-2, HR, K
Jean Segura 1-2, 2B, K
Bryce Harper 1-2
J.T. Realmuto 0-0, 2 BB
Andrew McCutchen 0-0, BB
Alec Bohm 0-1
Didi Gregorius 0-1, K

The Mets get to face a long time foe in Aaron Nola this afternoon, making his second start of the season. In his first start he allowed 2 runs over 6.2 innings from 6 hits and no walks while striking out 6. Last year he pitched 71.2 innings over 12 starts (and two complete games) with a 3.28 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 1.079 WHIP and a 135 ERA+. Nola faced the Mets three times last year totaling 17.2 innings here he allowed 11 runs, 8 earned from 16 hits and 8 walks while striking out 25 batters. The Mets have the following numbers against Nola: