The Mets will try to snap a three game losing streak tonight as they take on the Nationals for game two of the series. Last night the Mets looked flat and un-Mets-like. They were swinging at pitches way out of the zone, not working counts and made several defensive mistakes (like big mistakes) in the field. The whole night felt off.
Hopefully the Mets got a fully night of sleep and are fully adjusted so they can get back on the winning path today against MacKenzie Gore and Dominic Smith.
Kodai Senga makes his fifth start tonight. The hope is that the extra rest he got with the off-day brings back the Senga we saw earlier this season. Over his four starts and 21 innings he has a 4.29 ERA, 6.04 FIP, 1.524 WHIP and a 97 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed eight runs over 9 2/3 innings from 12 hits and eight walks while striking out 11 batters. Further, the home run ball has been hitting him a bit more recently as he has allowed five in his three starts, with two per game in his last two.
The Mets bats will go from one highly touted young player in Josiah Gray to another in MacKenzie Gore. In four starts and 21 innings this season, Gore has a 3.43 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 1.381 WHIP and a 121 ERA+. His last two starts were a bit rougher than his first two, allowing five runs from seven hits and five walks over 9 2/3 innings (4.66 ERA). Gore did not face the Mets last season and the only Met who has seen him in a major league game is Tommy Pham who is 2-for-5 with three strikeouts against him.
Three Things To Watch For:
- How do the Mets look out of the gate? It was apparent in the bottom of the first inning that something looked off about the Mets yesterday. Brandon Nimmo, who usually works a long first at bat, struck out swinging. Marte and Lindor quickly followed. The Mets added two more strikeouts in the bottom of the second. By the end of the game they struck out a combined 13 times. I personally will feel a giant wave of relief in the bottom of the first today if the Mets are able to work counts and make Gore toss a few extra pitches.
- Let the kids play! Brett Baty is 5-for-16 in his last four games with a double (.313/.313/.375). Francisco Álvarez is 4-for-15 in his last four games with a homer (.267/.267/.467). These aren’t batting lines that are going to blow anyone away however there have been signs over the last four games they each played that both players are starting to turn a corner.
- The Mets are no longer HBP leaders! For the first time in what feels like forever, the Mets are no longer hit by pitch leaders. The Mets are tied with the Rays with 17 plunks. Both teams trail the Angels who have been hit 18 times. This is not a category the Mets want to lead in, although their roster is constructed to lead.
Let’s Go Mets!
