The Mets head into the last series of the season with quite a bit of uncertainty. Last night’s game was suspended in the bottom of the ninth with the Mets down one run. If the game is needed, and there’s a high chance it will be, the Mets and Marlins will finish playing on Monday. As of writing, it looks like it will rain all day today in New York. If that forecasts holds out to be true, its hard to believe that the field will be in playing condition tonight.
In addition to all of the weather news the Mets have had a couple of injuries in the last couple of days. Jeff McNeil has a partial tear in his UCL, while surgery is not expected, he’s done for the season. Brandon Nimmo sustained a shoulder season last night likely ending his 2023 campaign.
Tylor Megill gets the start tonight. Over 24 starts this season he has pitched 119 innings with a 4.92 ERA, 5.14 FIP, 1.622 WHIP and an 86 ERA+. In the month of September he has allowed nine runs, eight earned over 22 innings (3.27 ERA, 5.67 FIP) while striking out 16 batters. This includes his last start which was also against the Phillies where he allowed three runs over six innings from five hits. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:
- J.T. Realmuto 2-9, 2B, HR, 5 K
- Bryce Harper 2-8, 3 K
- Kyle Schwarber 1-5, 2B, 2 BB
- Trea Turner 1-4, BB
- Alec Bohm 2-7, 2B, K
- Bryson Stott 0-5, 3 K
- NIck Castellanos 1-7, 2B, K
- Brandon Marsh 2-4, HR, 2 K
- Rodolfo Castro 0-2, 2 K
- Johan Rojas 0-2
- Edmundo Sosa 1-2
The Mets bats will get to face Taijuan Walker one more time this season. Over 30 starts (165 2/3 innings) Walker has a 4.35 ERA, 4.46 FIP, 1.316 WHIP and a 99 ERA+. In his first three starts in September he allowed 15 runs, 14 earned over 17 1/3 innings (7.27 ERA). He had a much better start his last time out, against the Mets no less, where he allowed two runs over six innings from five hits and a walk. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Francisco Lindor 2-13, 3 K, BB
- Brandon Nimmo 3-9, 2B, HR, K, 2 BB
- Rafael Ortega 2-5, 2 K, BB
- Pete Alonso 2-7, 2 2B, 3 K, BB
- Brett Baty 0-5, K
- DJ Stewart 0-5, 2 K
- Omar Narváez 1-4, K, BB
- Daniel Vogelbach 0-4, K
- Francisco Álvarez 0-4, 2 K
- Ronny Mauricio 0-3
- Mark Vientos 0-2
Three Things To Watch For:
- Brett Baty. Baty has been emerging this month from his summer long slump, collecting 12 hits over 18 games (not including his 1-for-3 performance last night which isn’t official yet) including a double a two homers. We would love to see Baty have a big weekend to end 2023 off on a positive note and gain some momentum heading into the off season.
- Ronny Mauricio. Mauricio has become the reason to watch the Mets since he was called up. He’s collected 21 hits in 86 trips hitting .244/.286/.349. He’s cooled off a bit after his torrid start. Can Ronny get one or two more extra-base hits to close out the season? His two homers have been absolute lasers.
- Milestone Tracker. Time is really starting to runout on these! Francisco Lindor needs four RBI’s this weekend to reach 100 for the second season in a row (and the second time in his career). Álvarez is looking for two more to get to 25 and Pete Alonso needs four more for 50 on the year (unlikely, but not impossible!).
Let’s Go Mets!
