The Mets started off the season 0-5 and then flipped the script after a walk-off win against the Tigers, ushering in about two weeks of winning. Going into Sunday’s game the Mets lost four of their last five games and were trying to avoid getting swept for a second series in a row.
The loss felt inevitable after the 10th inning when the Mets failed to move a runner in scoring position across the plate for what felt like the 30th time. Then the Cardinals scored to open up the 11th. But Mark Vientos said not today and smacked a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 11th. The vibes instantly improved.
The Mets will need the vibes as they welcome the 17-11 Cubs to Citi Field tonight. Can the Mets stop their roll?
Luis Severino has pitched 27 innings this season over five starts with a 2.67 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.259 WHIP and a 150 ERA+. He allowed three runs over six innings against the Giants his last time out, his second quality start in row for the Mets. More importantly, in his last start he didn’t walk a single batter. The Cubs have the following career numbers against Severino:
- Yan Gomes 1-8, 2 K
- Ian Happ 1-3, K
- Nico Hoerner 0-3, K
- Nick Madrigal 1-2
- Christopher Morel 1-3, K
- Patrick Wisdom 0-2, BB, 2 K
The Mets bats will catch Jameson Taillon making his third start of the season tonight. Over his first two starts he has allowed three runs, two earned, over 10 2/3 innings while striking out eight. Last season over 154 2/3 innings he had a 4.84 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 1.276 WHIP and a 93 ERA+. His one start against the Mets was a good one where he held the Mets to two runs and three hits over seven innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Pete Alonso 1-3, HR
- Harrison Bader 2-12, BB, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 2-7, 2 K
- J.D. Martinez 4-18, 2B, HR, BB, 6 K
- Jeff McNeil 1-3, K
- Omar Narváez 1-3, 2B, 2 BB
- Brandon Nimmo 0-3
- DJ Stewart 0-2, BB, K
- Tyrone Taylor 1-5, 2B, 2 K
- Mark Vientos 0-2, K
- Joey Wendle 0-3, 2 K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Is Harrison Bader back? From April 9th to the 14th Bader had an absurd 14 hits in 33 trips to the plate batting .452/.485/.613. In the five games between then and Sunday’s game Bader went 1-for-18 at the plate hitting .056/.056/.056. Yesterday Bader went 2-for-5 and scored a run, is the pendulum swinging back to racking up hits mode?
- Mark Vientos is seizing his opportunity. Since his call-up Mark Vientos has gone 3-for-4 at the plate with a walk-off home run. Not sure how the Mets will find playing time for all of J.D. Martinez, DJ Stewart, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos once Starling Marte returns (assuming that Vientos stays up with the team).
- Mets need another quality start. In Sunday’s game preview we talked about how the Mets were tied with several other teams for fewest total quality starts of the season at five. The Mets got a magnificent start from Quintana yesterday, but then still needed their bullpen to pitch three innings due to the game going into extras. Adam Ottavino hasn’t pitched since Wednesday and he’s the only Met pitcher who has thrown in the last three days. Another quality start from Severino will go a long way for a bullpen that has recently been battered by injuries (Brooks Raley, Drew Smith).
Let’s Go Mets!
