The Mariners and the Mets play the rubber game this afternoon in Queens. The Mariners are in a tight playoff race and need every win they can get. The Mets are just trying to see where players fit in their 2024 and 2025 plans.
Tylor Megill looks to build on one of his best starts of the season this afternoon. Over 20 starts and 97 innings, Tylor Megill has posted a 5.29 ERA, 5.02 FIP, 1.680 WHIP and a 79 ERA+. In his last start he h allowed only one run from five hits over six innings while striking out eight batters, a season high for Megill. Before that he had allowed 21 runs, 19 earned, over his previous 22 innings and five starts while striking out 18. The only Mariner that has faced Megill before is Teoscar Hernández (0-for-2, K).
The Mets bats will look to pick up where they left off last night against George Kirby. Kirby has pitched 156 1/3 innings over 25 starts this season with a 3.28 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 1.030 WHIP and a 125 ERA+. The Mets bats faced the league leader last night in H/9 (Castillo), tonight in Kirby they face the league leader in BB/9 (0.8) and K/BB (10.14). He’s looked a lot more human in his last two starts though allowing seven runs from 16 hits over 11 2/3 innings. During stretch (5.40 ERA) he has struck out 11 batters while walking zero. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Brandon Nimmo 0-2
- Pete Alonso 0-1, BB
- Jonathan Araúz 1-2
- Francisco Lindor 1-1
- Jeff McNeil 0-1
Three Things To Watch For:
- Megill is nearing several career milestones. If Megill pitches three innings today he’ll cross 100 innings in a season for the first time in his career. He struck out eight batters in his last outing, which was unusually high for him this season. He now sits at 82 in 2023, and 100 is within striking distance if he has a good rest of the month. It would be a double milestone for Megill as reaching 100 in the season would also give him 250 in his career.
- Mark Vientos and Brett Baty. Last night it was Mark’s turn to get the start and he took full advantage of it, going 2-for-3 at the plate with his fourth homer on the season. In his last three games he has gone 5-for-10 at the plate with two homers and three runs scored. He also had to leave the game early due to foot soreness. As hot as Mark has been lately, there’s no reason for him to push it during a day game after a night game when the Mets have Brett Baty who also needs at bats and reps in the field.
- DJ Stewart does it again! Last night Stewart went 2-for-5 at the plate with a homer and three RBI’s. Since August 15th Stewart has hit nine homers and has gone 19-for-53 at the plate hitting .359/.414/.925. He has as many strikeouts as RBI’s during this stretch (18). Last night hit the double digit homer plateau for the season. Let’s keep the good times going DJ!
Let’s Go Mets!
