The Mets look to win their fifth game in a row and sweep a series with the Guardians tonight! Earlier this afternoon the Mets recorded their fourth win in a row on the back of Scherzer’s excellent start and a go-ahead two-run homer from Starling Marte in the bottom of the 8th. It was the third time in the last four games where the Mets had a late homer in the game be the difference maker. The Mets are reveling in their new found “never-say-die” mentality!
Justin Verlander makes his fourth start of the year tonight. Over 17 innings he has allowed nine runs from 15 hits and five walks while striking out 15 batters (4.76 ERA, 5.48 FIP, 1.176 WHIP, 89 ERA+). He was great in his first two starts of the year, allowing three runs over 12 innings but hit a wall his last time out against the Rays. In that start he allowed six runs from eight hits, including two homers, over five innings of work. Overall on the season he has allowed four homers, which is slightly concerning. In one game against the Guardians last year he held them to no runs over six innings, scattering two hits and a walk. The Guardians have the following numbers against him:
- José Ramírez 11-33, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 BB, 4 K
- Mike Zunino 0-14, BB, 10 K
- Josh Bell 1-3, 2B, 2 BB, K
- Cam Gallagher 0-3, K
- Amed Rosario 0-3, K
- Andrés Giménez 0-2
- Josh Naylor 1-2
The Mets bats will get a look at the two-time all-star Shane Bieber tonight. In nine games (56 1/3 innings) this season he has a 3.20 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 1.225 WHIP and a 132 ERA+. After a terrific start to May where he allowed two runs from 12 hits and two walks over 14 innings, he got roughed up in his last outing allowing six runs, five earned, over 4 2/3 innings from 12 hits. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Tommy Pham 3-16, 2 2B, BB, 5 K
- Gary Sánchez 2-6, 2B, 2 BB
- Eduardo Escobar 5-6, 4 2B, HR
- Daniel Vogelbach 1-4, BB
- Pete Alonso 0-3, K
- Mark Canha 1-3, K
- Starling Marte 2-2, HR
Three Things To Watch For:
- Doubleheaders this season. This is the Mets fourth doubleheader this season, their second set at home. All of their doubleheaders have happened this month. They have split a doubleheader with the Braves and Nationals, and got swept by the Tigers. Today was the first time this month that the Mets won the first game of the doubleheader. Now they have a chance to actually sweep!
- Quality Starts are in again! Wednesday night Kodai Senga pitched six innings, allowing one run and striking out 12. On Thursday Megill gave the Mets six innings of two run ball. Today Max Scherzer shutout the Guardians over six innings scattering three hits. The Mets have been struggling to put together quality starts but now have three in a week. With the state of the bullpen, the Mets could really use another quality start from Justin Verlander tonight.
- It’s Francisco Álvarez time! Álvarez has had two straight games with a homer. More importantly he has recorded five RBI over his last two game. He only had six on the season going into Thursday’s game. He is quickly becoming the Mets x-factor along with Baty and hopefully Vientos.
Let’s Go Mets!
