There are several constants in life – one of them is the Marlins always playing the Mets hard, even when the Marlins are having a terrible season. The Mets look to split the four game series today and avoid losing a series to one of the worst teams in the National League.
The Mets, Diamondbacks and Padres are all effectively tied up for the last wild card spot heading into play today. Things will get tougher for the Mets over the next couple of weeks and it would be nice to head into that stretch with a win tonight.
David Peterson has pitched 43 2/3 innings for the Mets over eight starts with a 3.09 ERA, 4.53 FIP, 1.420 WHIP and a 127 ERA+. The Mets have won each of his last five starts where he has tossed 27 innings with a 2.33 ERA, 4.56 FIP. He has definitely worked his way into and out of trouble during these starts. Hitters have recorded 23 hits and 14 walks (.342 OBP) but only seven runs thanks to the ground balls Peterson produces. His only terrible start this season was against the Marlins (of course) where he allowed four runs from eight hits over five innings. The Marlins have the following career numbers against him:
- Josh Bell 3-12, BB, 2 K
- Jake Burger 1-5, BB, 2 K
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2-10, BB, 2 K
- Bryan De La Cruz 3-12, 2B, 2 BB, 4 K
- Xavier Edwards 0-2, BB, 2 K
- Nick Fortes 3-12, 2 K
- Otto Lopez 1-3, 2B
- Emmanuel Rivera 1-2
- Jesús Sánchez 0-3, K
Yonny Chirinos has pitched 25 innings over five starts for the Marlins this season with a 5.76 ERA, 5.39 FIP, 1.720 WHIP and a 76 ERA+. His season stats are heavily influenced by his last start against the Reds where he allowed seven runs from eight hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings. Before that start he had a 4.19 ERA, 3.36 FIP over 19 1/3 innings while striking out 20 batters. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Pete Alonso 1-5, HR, 2 K
- Francisco Alvarez 0-2, K
- Harrison Bader 0-2
- Francisco Lindor 0-4
- J.D. Martinez 4-13, 3B, 2 BB, 4 K
- Jeff McNeil 4-5
- Brandon Nimmo 1-5
- DJ Stewart 0-3, BB, 2 K
- Tyrone Taylor 1-2, K
- Mark Vientos 1-2, 2B, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Take advantage with runners in scoring position. The Mets had eight hits on Sunday but only scored two runs. The team went a combined 1-for-8 at the plate leaving nine runners on base. Exasperating at bats which led to 14 strikeouts on the day. The offense was so close to clicking. Hopefully things fall into place tonight.
- Take advantage of errors. The Marlins lead the league in errors and committed three of them on Sunday. Before the All-Star break, when a team made a mistake the Mets would seize that opportunity. It just didn’t happen on Sunday for the Mets.
- Marlins bullpen. The Marlins bullpen has been pretty good against the Mets this weekend, but has been also used a lot. Unless the Marlins make a roster move before tonight’s game, each of their nine pitchers have thrown against the Mets this weekend with Anthony Bender throwing the least (10 pitches on Friday). Their best relievers have already pitched twice on Friday and Sunday.
Let’s Go Mets!
