The Mets bid to play spoiler for two nights in a row failed late as the Marlins overcame the Mets late game comeback. Entering play today, the Diamondbacks have a half game lead on the second wild card spot. The Cubs snapped their losing streak and have the third wild card spot. The Marlins are half a game behind the Cubs and the Reds are sitting one game out. Meanwhile the Mets have “fallen” to ninth in the tankathon standings as every team they’re chasing lost last night except the Royals.
Kodai Senga is putting together a resume for either Rookie of the Year or Cy Young. Over 27 starts and 155 1/3 innings he has a 2.95 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 1.210 WHIP and a 143 ERA+. In his last five starts he has pitched 32 2/3 innings (1.65 ERA, 3.17 FIP) allowing only six runs while striking out 42 batters. Since July 5th he has made 12 starts with a 2.32 ERA, 2.88 FIP. The last time Senga faced the Marlins was way back at the start of the season where he allowed two runs from six hits and six walks over 11 1/3 innings (back-to-back starts) while striking out 14 batters. The Marlins have the following stats against Kodai:
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. 1-5, HR, 3 K, BB
- Jorge Soler 1-6, 2B, 3 K
- Luis Arrez 3-5, BB
- Jon Berti 0-4, K
- Bryan De La Cruz 0-2, K
- Jacob Stallings 0-1, K, BB
- Jesús Sánchez 0-2, 2 K
- Yuli Gurriel 0-2, K
- Nick Fortes 0-2, K
- Joey Wendle 0-2
The Mets bats will get a look at Eury Pérez tonight. Over 18 starts and 88 1/3 innings, he has a 3.06 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 1.098 WHIP and a 145 ERA+. The Marlins are trying to be careful with Eury’s innings this season and he hasn’t thrown above 90 pitches since July 6th. In September he has allowed eight runs from 14 hits and six walks over 14 1/3 innings while striking out 16 batters. Four of the 14 home runs he’s allowed this season have come over his last three starts. This will be his first time facing the Mets.
Three Things To Watch For:
- Can Kodai Senga reach 200 strikeouts for the season? Senga is sitting at 191 strikeouts for the season. Reaching the 200 mark, while keeping his season ERA below 3.00, would be a nice boost to his resume for either ROY or Cy Young.
- Jeff McNeil loves hitting in Miami. So far this series McNeil has gone 5-for-8 at the plate with a double and a homer. Last night was McNeil’s third three hit game since September 2nd. Over this stretch McNeil has gone 19-for-63 with eight extra-base hits. He’s finishing 2023 strong.
- Milestone Tracker. There was a little movement last night again on the milestones we are watching for the rest of the season as Lindor stole a base for the second night in a row. He is now sitting at 26 homers and 28 stolen bases on the season as time ticks down to reach 30-30. Pete Alonso has five more home runs to go until 50. Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Álvarez each have two more home runs to go for 25 on the season.
Let’s Go Mets!
