The Mets will try to toss off Wednesday night’s disappointing loss quickly with the afternoon game today. The Mets bullpen fell apart late, with Edwin Díaz allowing a go-ahead grand slam in the 8th inning. The Braves also won on Wednesday pushing the Mets back to four games out of the third wild card spot.
We always knew that this week would be the most difficult week for the Mets, and they can still get a winning record between the Padres and the Diamondbacks with a win in the rubber game today.
The Mets turn to David Peterson to continue his incredible run. Over 15 starts, 85 1/3 innings, Peterson has a 2.85 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 1.324 WHIP and a 138 ERA+. In the month of August he has pitched 31 2/3 innings with a 1.71 ERA, 3.17 FIP. In his last two starts he has pitched at least seven innings. The Diamondbacks have the following career numbers against Peterson:
- Josh Bell 4-13, HR, 3 BB, 2 K
- Randal Grichuk 3-7, BB
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 1-2, HR
- Jose Herrera 1-2
- Jake McCarthy 0-2
- Kevin Newman 0-1, BB
- Geraldo Perdomo 0-1, BB
- Pavin Smith 3-4, 2B, 2 BB, K
- Eugenio Suarez 0-2, K
Ryne Nelson has a 4.29 ERA, 3.62 FIP, 1.277 WHIP and a 96 ERA+ over 130 innings. In his last three games he has really turned it on, allowing only five runs, scattering 13 hits over 19 2/3 innings while striking out 22 batters. He has also allowed one home run in three consecutive starts – a weakness the Mets could exploit. The Mets have the following career numbers against Nelson:
- Pete Alonso 3-5, 2 HR
- Francisco Alvarez 1-4, HR, K
- Francisco Lindor 3-4, 2 3B, K
- Starling Marte 1-2
- J.D. Martinez 1-3, 3B, K
- Jeff McNeil 1-5, 2B
- Brandon Nimmo 2-4, 2B, 3B
- Mark Vientos 1-2
- Jesse Winker 2-5, 2 HR, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- David Peterson. Over the last month or so David Peterson has moved from “oh look he’s getting good results” to “oh man, he might be the ace of this staff”. If there was ever a time the Mets needed an ace on their staff this season, it’s right now in this moment.
- Pete Alonso. Pete Alonso hit his 220th career homer a couple of nights ago, which tied him with Mike Piazza on the Mets all-time list. He is 3-for-5 lifetime against Ryne Nelson with two homers. We have been on 221st watch for a game or so now, and Nelson has allowed a homer in three consecutive games.
- Mets Bullpen. This has been a tough few games for the bullpen with the loss on Sunday and Wednesday. These types of losses, especially in the same week, can lead to spiraling. How does the bullpen come out in today’s game? How do they react if things start to go left (several balls in a row, bad calls, etc.).
Let’s Go Mets!
