The Mets lost a frustrating game against the Orioles Tuesday night, filled with defensive mistake. The Orioles scored early and the Mets made a comeback late, but the Orioles poured on a few insurance runs to keep the Mets at bay. The Mets can still win the series in the rubber game this afternoon in Citi Field.
Sean Manaea has tossed 130 innings with a 3.46 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 1.208 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. Manaea has pitched seven innings in three of his last four starts. During that stretch he has had a 2.25 ERA, 2.24 FIP over 24 innings while striking out 28 batters. He has also allowed only one home run. The Orioles have the following career numbers against Manaea:
- Eloy Jimenez 0-0, BB
- James McCann 1-5, K
- Ryan Mountcastle 1-2, K
- Cedric Mullins 0-3, K
- Austin Slater 4-22, 2B, 3 BB, 6 K
- Ramón Urías 0-2
The Mets were originally slated to face Zach Elfin today, a major trade deadline acquisition for the Orioles. Elfin landed on the injured list before the start of Tuesday’s game and now Cole Irvin is sliding back in the rotation to close things out for the Orioles. This season Irvin has pitched 94 2/3 innings over 21 games (14 starts) with a 4.85 ERA, 4.48 FIP, 1.405 WHIP and a 78 ERA+. He’s been more effective as a starter this season with a 4.06 ERA over 75 1/3 innings, compared to a 7.91 ERA over 19 1/3 innings as a reliever. The Orioles have the following career numbers against him:
- Pete Alonso 1-2, BB
- Francisco Alvarez 0-1, K
- Harrison Bader 0-1
- José Iglesias 1-9, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 1-4
- Starling Marte 0-1
- J.D. Martinez 1-5, BB, 2 K
- Jeff McNeil 3-5
- Brandon Nimmo 2-3
- Luis Torrens 6-9, 2B, K
- Mark Vientos 2-3, 2B, BB, K
- Jesse Winker 0-2, BB
Three Things To Watch For:
- Keeping the ball in the park. Manaea’s success recently has been keeping the ball in the park. The Orioles are a top tier homer hitting team. For the Mets pitching, this is the main metric I’m watching for today.
- Mets are trying to end a streak. The Mets have struck out more than 10 times in three games in a row now. Sunday the Mets struck out 12 times, Monday 14 times and Tuesday 11 times. That is 37 strikeouts in three games – way too many. In other dugout, the Orioles on struck out five times on Tuesday night.
- The Martinez heat up is happening? Before Tuesday’s game we discussed how J.D. Martinez’s two run homer on Monday night set the tone for the Mets. It was his first home runs since August 3rd. Martinez hit a home run last night, his second consecutive game with one, that put a comeback on the table for the Mets. If the Mets are going to make a run they are going to need J.D.!
Let’s Go Mets!
