The Mets are heading to Ohio with a victory in the books!
Things looked pretty bleak late yesterday afternoon. The Mets already lost the first game after leading most of the game and then self-destructing in the 11th inning. It was the bottom of the ninth in the second game, the Mets were down 1-0. Then Pete Alonso happened. He reached way out of the zone and knocked a solo shot out of the park. A couple of batters later Tyrone Taylor had a walk-off hit and the Mets won. They finally won!
Now the Mets start a grueling stretch that first has them on the road in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. Do the Mets play more loose tonight with a win under their belt? Do the bats get going? How many times will the Mets broadcast booth talk about skyrosas?
The “Skyrosa” at reds Great American Ballpark ⚾️
— US Sport Scran (@SportScran) July 21, 2023
(@Reds )
$7 – Skyline Chili Coney
$7 – LaRosa’s Pepperoni Pizza pic.twitter.com/mMhj30Fw0a
Jose Quintana will make his second start of the season, a full week after his first start. Last week he allowed two runs from six hits over 4 2/3 innings with four strikeouts. He faced the Reds in September last season allowing only two runs from eight hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings while striking out two batters. He’s also pitched well over his career at Great American Ballpark. He has a 2.93 ERA over 30 2/3 innings of work. The Reds have the following career numbers against him:
- Jeimer Candelario 3-7, 2B
- Elly De La Cruz 0-3, K
- Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1-3
- Santiago Espinal 2-2
- Stuart Fairchild 2-4, 2B, K
- Jonathan India 1-6, K
- Nick Martini 0-1
- Spencer Steer 1-6, BB, 2 K
- Tyler Stephenson 1-3
The Mets bats will look to continue their 9th inning magic from yesterday against the flame-thrower of the Reds staff, Hunter Greene. Over 112 innings and 22 starts last season, Greene had a 4.82 ERA, 4.25 FIP, 1.420 WHIP and a 95 ERA+. In his first start this season he allowed two runs from five hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out seven batters in his short outing. When it comes to Greene, patience is key. He strikes out a ton (12.5 K/9 last season) but also walks a lot (3.9 BB/9) and is susceptible to the home run (1.5 HR/9).
In two starts against the Mets last season (beginning and end of the season) he allowed five runs from 10 hits over 11 innings. He struck out 10 batters across both games while walking five and allowing two home runs – basically representative of his 2023 season numbers. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Pete Alonso 2-6, 2 HR, 3 BB, K
- Francisco Alvarez 0-1, BB
- Harrison Bader 1-5, HR
- Brett Baty 0-2
- Francisco Lindor 1-8, HR, 2 K
- Starling Marte 0-6, K
- Jeff McNeil 4-8, 2B, 2 K
- Omar Narváez 0-8, 6 K
- Brandon Nimmo 5-9, HR, 2 K
- DJ Stewart 1-3, K
- Tyrone Taylor 2-9, HR, 4 K
- Joey Wendle 2-7, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Brandon Nimmo is walking again. Nimmo’s ability to get on base is key for the Mets offense. In his first three games of the season he went 1-for-13 at the plate with no walks. In his fourth game of the season he went 0-for-3 at the plate, but finally walked. Yesterday he walked five times across both games, raising his OBP from .167 to .286. Obviously we want him to get some hits too but the key to Hunter Greene is letting himself get into trouble. Nimmo walking again is a tremendous sign.
- Francisco Alvarez has not been the problem. The Mets lineup has been cold. Alvarez has been the exact opposite. He’s opening up the season going 8-for-20 at the plate with three doubles and homer, which translates into a 1.129 OPS. Hopefully the veterans start hitting around him so the Mets can start to take Alvarez’s hot start and turn it into victories.
- The Díaz Brothers united! Alexis Díaz has had a tremendous first two seasons with the Reds. In his rookie year he had a 1.84 ERA, 237 ERA+ over 63 2/3 innings. Last year he was named an All Star had a 3.07 ERA, 149 ERA+ over 67 1/3 innings. It’s always special to see players on the field with their family members, it’s even more special when both family members are two of the best at what they do.
Let’s Go Mets!
