The roughest game preview articles to write follow inexplicable losses. The Mets on paper should not be swept by the Cubs. But it happened. Last night the Mets starting pitching faltered early and the bullpen was able to bail the Mets out. The offense, for the most part, was ice cold again. It’s been a theme this week.
It’s Roberto Clemente Day across the league today and the Mets welcome the Pirates to Queens. The Pirates should be the focus on Clemente Day, I don’t understand how they can be on the road today, but I digress. Earlier this month the Mets swept both games of a doubleheader against the Pirates after dropping the series Opener. The Mets will look to channel that same energy from the doubleheader tonight as they open the four game series.
Carlos Carrasco, the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award winner, gets the start for the Mets. Over 25 games and 135 innings, Carrasco has posted a 3.80 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.304 WHIP and a 103 ERA+. He has made two starts since retuning from the injured list. His first start was forgettable – allowing five runs, one earned, over 2 2/3 innings. Last time out he held the Marlins to one run from four hits and no walks in six innings of work. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Carrasco:
- Ben Gamel 5-8, 2 2B, HR
- Bryan Reynolds 0-4
- Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-2, BB
- Kevin Newman 1-2, 2B, BB
The Mets bats will get a look at JT Brubaker tonight. Over 26 starts and 138 1/3 innings of work, Brubaker has a 4.36 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 1.424 WHIP and a 96 ERA+. Over his last three games he has pitched 18 innings allowing 12 runs, 11 earned, from 20 hits and five walks (5.50 ERA). If we expand the scope, it’s not that much better. In his last seven games he has allowed 24 runs, 23 earned, over 38 1/3 innings, a 5.40 ERA. The Mets have the following career numbers against Brubaker:
- Tyler Naquin 1-13, 2B, 3 BB, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 0-5, 3 BB, K
- Pete Alonso 2-6, HR, K
- Brandon Nimmo 2-3, 2B, 3 BB, K
- James McCann 3-4, 2 HR, K
- Jeff McNeil 1-5, 2 K
- Dominic Smith 2-5, 2 K
- Darin Ruf 1-1, BB
- Daniel Vogelbach 0-1, K
Let’s Go Mets!
