The Mets dropped the first game of the series last night against the Angels and look to rebound tonight with Carlos Carrasco on the mound. The Mets got an amazing start from Kodai Senga last night but the offense could not contribute. This is now back-to-back losses for the Mets with their two most reliable starters on the mound. Can Carrasco be the stopper?
Carlos Carrasco has made 19 starts tossing 88 1/3 innings this season with a 6.42 ERA, 5.79 FIP, 1.653 WHIP and a 65 ERA+. Over his last three starts he has allowed seven runs from 16 hits and five walks, leading to a 5.25 ERA over 12 innings. His last time out was his first time all seasons not walking a single batter, but he allowed nine hits, the second most he’s allowed this season. The Angels have the following career numbers against him:
- Mike Moustakas 3-25, 2B, 7 K, 3 BB
- Eduardo Escobar 3-14, 2B, HR, 3 K
- Randal Grichuk 2-7, 2 2B, 3 K
- Andrew Velazquez 1-5, 2 K
- Shohei Ohtani 3-4, 2B, HR
- Brandon Drury 0-2, 2 K
- Luis Rengifo 1-2, 3B
Chase Silseth starts today for the Angels. Over 14 games and six starts this season, Silseth has pitched 45 innings with a 4.00 ERA, 5.11 FIP, 1.289 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. Silseth has been starting consistently since July 31st making four starts totaling 20 2/3 innings with a 3.48 ERA, 5.01 FIP. Before his start he allowed only three runs over 17 innings of work. Last time out he allowed five runs in 3 2/3. Homers seem to be his weakness as he’s allowed five in his last four starts. The only Met who has seen him in an official game is Jonathan Araúz who is 0-for-1 against Silseth with a walk.
Three Things To Watch For:
- Francisco Lindor. Lindor extended his hitting streak to 11 games last night, going 17-for-44 over that span with four doubles and two homers. In his last 11 games he is slashing .386/.438/.614. He really is putting together one of the best hitting seasons by a Mets middle-infielder and has a real shot now of hitting 30 homers before the season is over.
- Strikeouts. There wasn’t much to be happy about with the Mets bats last night outside of Lindor’s homer and McNeil’s double. The Mets as team only had four hits, with no-one collecting multiple hits. Ultimately the team looked lost at the plate striking out a collective 11 times, including three players having two or more strikeouts.
- The back of the bullpen is ready to go. With the off-days and the losses this week, the Mets haven’t needed the back of the bullpen that much. Ottavino and Drew Smith last pitched on Monday. Brooks Raley pitched last night, but has only thrown 11 pitches since Tuesday (and he didn’t throw on Monday!). They’re ready if the Mets bats and Carlos Carrasco put them in a position to be needed.
Let’s Go Mets!
