The Mets continue to shake-up the the wild card standings tonight as they take on Phillies. In the last three series the Mets have played the Diamondbacks, Reds and Marlins, all who were fighting for the last wild card spot. The Diamondbacks, after losing the series to the Mets, now have the second spot while the Marlins and Reds are on the outside looking in. The Phillies have a four game lead and have been able to stay above the fray but if the Mets take this series than the whole top of the standings could be in disarray by Monday.
David Peterson makes his 20th start of the year after hitting exactly 100 innings for the season in his last start. He has a 5.22 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.590 WHIP and an 81 ERA+. If he has a quality start today, throws at least six innings, he will pass his career high for innings pitched in one season (105 2/3). Since August 4th Peterson has made eight starts pitching 37 2/3 innings with a 4.06 ERA and 4.69 FIP. In his last two starts he has allowed six runs, five earned, from 14 hits and three walks while striking out 18 batters in 11 2/3 innings (3.86 ERA, 2.32 FIP). The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:
- Alec Bohm 3-14, 2 2B, HR, 6 K, BB
- Bryce Harper 5-13, 2B, HR, 4 K, 2 BB
- J.T. Realmuto 2-10, 2B, 3 K, 3 BB
- Trea Turner 2-10, 2B, 4 K, BB
- Kyle Schwarber 1-7, 2B, 4 K, BB
- Nick Castellanos 2-4, 4 K, BB
- Brandon Marsh 1-1
- Edmundo Sosa 0-1
- Rodolfo Castro 1-1, HR
The Mets bats look to pick up where they left off last night against Ranger Suárez. Over 20 starts (113 2/3 innings) this season Suárez has a 3.80 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 1.399 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. In his last six starts (34 2/3 innings) he has a 2.86 ERA (4.07 FIP) while striking out 36 batters. He faced the Mets at the end of May where he allowed two runs from five hits over 6 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Brandon Nimmo 3-13, 2 K, 2 BB
- Pete Alonso 0-10, 2 K, 2 BB
- Francisco Lindor 2-9, HR
- Francisco Álvarez 0-3, 2 K
- Luis Guillorme 2-4
- Mark Vientos 1-3, K
- Jeff McNeil 0-5, K
- Rafael Ortega 0-1, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Mark Vientos. Vientos had a night last night going 2-for-4 at the plate with two homers, bringing him up to seven home runs on the season. Since September 12th he has gone 12-for-35 at the plate with three homer runs hitting .343/.361/.600. Before this stretch his batting average was .199 for the season and is now .226.
- Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo has now collected three hits in back to back nights. Since September 12th, Nimmo has gone 16-40 at the plate with five doubles, a triple, a home run and three walks (.400/.442/.650). He’s ending the year on a hot streak and it’s no coincidence the team in general has done better in the last week or so.
- Milestone Tracker. Brandon Nimmo’s home run last night brought him to 24 on the season, just one shy of 25! There was no movement for the other players we’ve been tracking for the last week. Lindor is four home runs and two stolen bases short of a 30-30 season. Alonso needs five home runs to reach 50. Álvarez is looking for two more home runs to reach 25 on the year.
Let’s Go Mets!
