It’s finally July 1st.
June is over.
The Mets completed one of their worst June’s of all time yesterday with a 7-19 record. In 13 of their 19 losses, including last night, they had the lead at one point in the game. Last year it felt like the Mets could never lose. If they entered the 8th or 9th behind, they still had a chance. Right now it feels like the Mets will always lose. Yesterday the loss came on a rare mistake by David Robertson who allowed a three run homer in the 8th to give the Giants a 5-4 lead. Can the Mets put the month of June behind them and finish out the week strong before the All-Star break?
Justin Verlander has oscillated from good start to bad start since his second start of the season. Over 10 total starts (57 innings), he has a 4.11 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 1.228 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. He’s allowed four runs or more in four starts this season, and they have all came after a start were he allowed one run. Last time out he allowed no runs (first time this year!) over five innings, scattering five hits and two walks. The Giants have the following career numbers against him:
- Mitch Haniger 3-16, 2B, 2 HR, 6 K
- Roberto Pérez 2-7, 2 K
- Joc Pederson 1-4, HR
- Brandon Crawford 0-1, BB
The Mets bats draw Anthony DeSclafani tonight (who has played for the Giants, Reds and Marlins if that ever comes up on Immaculate Grid). Over 90 1/3 innings he has a 4.28 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.196 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. His last start against the Diamondbacks was a quality one where he allowed two runs over six innings. Overall he has a couple of poor starts in June leading to a month ERA of 6.65 despite a 3.97 FIP. The Mets faced him back in April and were able to tag him for four runs from seven hits over five innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Starling Marte 3-23, 2 BB, 6 K
- Francisco Lindor 8-18, 2B, 3 HR, 3 K
- Pete Alonso 4-13, HR, 5 K
- Jeff McNeil 3-12, 2 2B, 3 K
- Brandon Nimmo 1-10, 2 K
- Tommy Pham 4-11, BB, 2 K
- Mark Canha 2-5, BB
- Luis Guillorme 3-4
- Daniel Vogelbach 1-3, BB< k
- Francisco Álvarez 0-2
- Brett Baty 1-2
- Omar Narváez 0-2
Three Things To Watch For:
- It’s a day that ends in “y” so we’re talking about Tommy Pham. Tommy Pham went 3-for-4 at the plate last night with two runs scored. He also hit his ninth homer on the season. It was the fifth time this season that he has collected three hits in one game. In his last three games he has gone an insane 8-for-11 at the plate with two homers (.727/.750/.1.273, 2.023 OPS). Since May 28th, he is hitting .363/.416/.670 with a 1.086 OPS. Gary Cohen talked last night during the game that it is now possible that Pham could be the Mets All-Star.
- Jeff Mc-extra-base-hits. Last night Jeff McNeil went 2-for-4 with two doubles. The night before he went 1-for-4 with a double. Before last night’s game you have to go all the way back to June 11th for the last game when Jeff McNeil had an extra-base hit (a homer). Here’s another way to put it. From May 3rd to June 28th, Jeff McNeil had three extra-base hits, two doubles and a homer (50 games). He’s had that same total of extra-base hits in his last two games.
- Players who could be scouted tonight. The Mets right now look like sellers at the deadline, going winless since Steve Cohen’s press conference. This could always change with a winning streak, but to quote Steve “it’s getting late”. Justin Verlander could still be moved at the deadline. Assuming that David Robertson is unavailable tonight after pitching in back to back games, Brooks Raley is the most likely reliever to be scouted. Tommy Pham is the most enticing hitter going tonight that could be moved followed by Mark Canha.
Let’s Go Mets!
