In an alternate timeline, today is the pivotal day of the Mets season. A doubleheader against the Braves. A battle for the division. A four game series where two of the games will be televised nationally. Alas we don’t live in that universe. Here the Mets lost to the Braves 7-0 last night, leaving 14 runners on base throughout the night. The Mets collected seven hits and nine walks yesterday, can they repeat that today but actually get runners to score?
Denyi Reyes gets the first start for the Mets this afternoon returning to the majors for the first time since the start of May. Over six games and 7 1/3 innings for the Mets, Reyes allowed five runs from eight hits leading to a 6.14 ERA, 5.85 FIP, 1.500 WHIP and a 70 ERA+. What his season stats hide is all of the damage was done by the Braves. Reyes held opponents scoreless in his first 6 1/3 Mets innings. In one outing against the Braves, they hit two homers and scored five runs against him in one inning, a game the Mets lost 9-8. In Syracuse this season he has pitched in 15 games, including 13 starts, with a 5.77 ERA. Things have been better of late. He has a 2.08 ERA over 13 innings in his last two starts. The Braves have the following career numbers against Denyi:
- Ronald Acuña Jr. 1-1
- Michael Harris II 1-1
- Sean Murphy 1-1, HR
- Matt Olson 1-1
- Kevin Pillar 1-1, HR
- Ozzie Albies 0-1, K
- Vaughn Grissom 0-1
- Austin Riley 0-1
The Braves are countering Denyi Reyes with an Allan Winans spot start. Winans has had one major league outing this season back on July 22nd. He pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing two runs from five hits and a walk. He’s pitched in 20 games, starting 15 times in AAA ball this year posting a 2.79 ERA and 1.027 WHIP over 113 innings innings. This is his first time facing the Mets.
Three Things To Watch For:
- How deep into the game can Reyes go? The most pitches Reyes has thrown in a minor league game is 70, which he did his last time out. Generally he throws into the mid-50’s. The Mets bullpen was saved last night by Jimmy Yacabonis who tossed 3 2/3 innings. With the second game tonight and another game tomorrow night the Mets are going to need deep performances by starting pitchers this afternoon.
- Why pitch to Alonso when you can pitch to Vogelbach? Alonso went 0-for-1 last night with three walks. Behind him was Daniel Vogelbach who went 0-for-5 at the plate with four strikeouts. Just a tough day in the office yesterday for Vogelbach. With the Mets playing two games today, we have a higher chance of seeing some more creative lineups. Hopefully Buck will create some space so Alonso will see more hittable pitches.
- Will someone else play out of position? Jeff McNeil played centerfield for the first time in his career last night after DJ Stewart came in for Brandon Nimmo. Will we see anyone else today expand their horizons and try something new?
Let’s Go Mets!
