Doubleheader Game 1 Preview: Phillies vs Mets

The Mets have had 10 scheduled games so far this year. They’ve finished 5 games. They need to make up 5 games. The Mets also have some questionable weather for the rest of the week after today (there’s a chance of rain tomorrow, rain likely on Thursday, rain/snow in Denver on Friday, and a chance of rain on Saturday/Sunday in Denver). There’s a possibility the Mets will have to postpone even more games.

At least today they should get through two shortened games. This can either be a really good thing for the struggling Mets offense, or a disaster.

The Mets also made some interesting pitching decisions today. David Peterson was supposed to pitch yesterday, he’s been bumped to Wednesday. Taijuan Walker will start this game (as scheduled) and Marcus Stroman will pitch in the second game (more on that in another article).

Taijuan Walker had a great Mets debut last week. In his first start of the season, he allowed 2 runs over 6.0 innings from 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out two. He made one start against the Phillies last year where he allowed one run over 6.0 innings from 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8. The Phillies have the following numbers against Walker:

Alec Bohm 1-2, BB
Roman Quinn 1-3, K, BB
Didi Gregorius 3-9, 2B, K
Jean Segura 1-3, K
Bryce Harper 1-5, BB
J.T. Realmuto 0-1, K
Andrew McCutchen 1-6, 2B, 2 K
Adam Haseley 0-3, 2 K
Matt Joyce 0-5, K

The Mets bats will get another look at Chase Anderson, who make his second start of the season tonight. His first start, also against the Mets, went alright for Anderson. He allowed 2 runs off 2 hits (including a homer) and 2 walks while striking out 3 over 5.0 innings. This was much better than his 2020 season where he posted a 7.22 ERA, 6.16 FIP, 1.634 WHIP and a 61 ERA+ over 33.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him: