The Mets will try to rebound tonight after a bizarre series opener with the Royals. The Mets and Royals went into extra innings last night, with the Mets scoring twice in the top of the tenth. The Royals were able to tie the game thanks a poor throw from Brett Baty. Then Josh Walker came into his first game since being recalled to the Mets. He had pitch-com issue that led to a walk-off balk (and a Royals Gatorade shower). Just a strange game. Anyway, the Mets have Kodai Senga on the mound tonight to help us forget all about yesterday.
Kodai Senga has pitched 19 games (105 innings) with a 3.17 ERA, 3.79 FIP, 1.238 WHIP and a 130 ERA+. He was much more like himself in his last start, holding the Nationals to one run over six innings. In the month of July he’s pitched 23 1/3 innings allowing only five earned runs (1.93 ERA, 3.06 FIP). This will be his first career start against the Royals.
The Mets were supposed to face Alec Marsh tonight, but Marsh pitched the sixth inning last night so the Royals are calling up Cole Ragans. In Cole’s only start with the Royals this season he allowed one run from four hits over five innings. He pitched 17 games out of the bullpen for the Rangers before joining the Royals where he allowed 17 runs, 16 earned, over 24 1/3 innings of work (5.92 ERA, 5.29 FIP, 1.397 WHIP, 74 ERA+). This will be Ragans’ first time facing the Mets.
Three Things To Watch For:
- Pete Alonso. Pete Alonso went 2-for-5 at the plate with his 31st homer of the season. One of the things to watch for the rest of the season is if he will get to 50 homers. Before his injury, he was hitting about 10 homers per month. He has about two months to go and 19 homers left.
- Francisco Álvarez. Álvarez also went 2-for-5 at the plate last night hitting his 21st homer of the season. He is quickly rising through the historical ranks of young, prolific hitting catchers. He’s also now tied, again, with Francisco Lindor for homers on the team. His development is another reason to keep watching the Mets while they pivot for 2024 and beyond.
- Will the defense improve? The Mets defense has been costing them games. Last night it was Álvarez and Baty who made their 10th and 8th error on the season respectively. The pressure for 2023 is off right now and for their development they should see an increase of time playing their positions so they can get more chances to improve. This is also an argument for why the Mets should call up Mauricio but that’s a conversation for another day.
Let’s Go Mets!
