Friday’s game against the Padres was pretty much the opposite of Thursday’s. The Mets bats couldn’t get much going, Paul Blackburn struggled on the mound before leaving the game after taking a comebacker to his pitching hand. The Braves won. Just an ugly night for the Amazin’s.
But tonight is a new night and the Mets hottest pitcher for the last month, David Peterson is on the mound. Can the Mets behind Peterson get through Michael King during his meteoric season?
David Peterson has made 14 starts this season totaling 78 innings with a 3.00 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 1.359 WHIP and a 130 ERA+. His 130 ERA+ is his best mark for his career, his closest being a 125 ERA+ during his rookie season. Peterson has made four starts throughout August totaling 24 1/3 innings with a 1.85 ERA (3.09 FIP) striking out 21 batters. The Padres batters have the following career numbers against Peterson:
- Luis Arráez 1-2, BB
- Xander Bogaerts 0-11, BB, 2 K
- Luis Campusano 2-2
- Jake Cronenworth 2-7, BB, K
- Bryce Johnson 0-0, BB
- Manny Machado 2-7, 2B, BB, 2 K
- David Peralta 0-1, K
- Jurickson Profar 1-1
- Donovan Solano 1-4, K
- Tyler Wade 0-1
Michael King has tossed 141 1/3 innings this season with a 3.18 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.175 WHIP and a 127 ERA+. Since the end of June Michel King has been on an absolute tear with a 2.08 ERA, 2.16 FIP over 47 2/3 innings, striking out 58 batters and allowing only two homers. The Mets batters have the following career numbers against King:
- Pete Alonso 1-5, 2 K
- Francisco Alvarez 0-1
- José Iglesias 1-4
- Francisco Lindor 0-3, 2 K
- J.D. Martinez 2-11, 2 2B, 3 K
- Jeff McNeil 3-5
- Brandon Nimmo 0-4, 3 K
- Tyrone Taylor 0-2, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Mets bullpen. The Mets bullpen was in a pretty good position going into Friday’s game, but with Paul Blackburn only lasting 2 1/3 innings, the bullpen needed put in extra work. Stanek, Danny Young and Adam Ottavino each tossed multiple innings, allowing only two runs, but the game was already out of reach at that point. Dedniel Núñez rejoined the team before Friday’s game. Díaz and Buttó now have had two days off so they are good to go. Seems like the game plan is to get Peterson through six and rely on Núñez, Díaz and Buttó to close it out.
- Strikeouts. Michael King has been striking out the world over the last two months. With exception of a handful of games, the Mets batters have been striking out a ton over the last week to two weeks. Friday night the Mets struck out a combined 14 times with Vientos, Martinez, Marte, Alonso and McNeil all have at least two. Lindor was the only Mets hitter who didn’t strike out last night.
- Can Lindor set a personal best for doubles? Lindor hit is 34th double of the season Friday night. That was his fourth double in his last four games. He is now only 10 doubles behind his career best, 44, which he did way back in 2017. His 34th double was his best as a New York Met (33 last season).
Let’s Go Mets!
