The Mets head into Atlanta for a four game set after winning their first series of the season. After starting the year 0-5, the Mets have won three of the last four games they’ve played. Yesterday the Mets scored two runs early and there were some concerns if leaving the bases loaded in the second and third inning would come back to bite them. However the pitching was excellent as it has been for most of the season and the Mets squeaked through with a 3-1 win.
This week is an important, early statement series with the Braves. Splitting the series would be an accomplishment. Winning the series could turn heads. Let’s get off to a good start tonight.
Julio Teherán will be pitching in Atlanta tonight – for the Mets? The long-time Atlanta Braves signed a contract with the Mets last week and will will take over Tylor Megill’s spot in the rotation for the foreseeable future. Last season Julio pitched with the Brewers and totaled 71 2/3 innings over 14 games (11 starts) with a 4.40 ERA, 4.93 FIP, 1.130 WHIP and a 97 ERA+. He spent spring training with the Orioles where he allowed five runs over 13 1/3 innings (3.38 ERA) wracking up 10 strikeouts to go with seven walks.
He faced the Braves twice last season with very different results. In the first game he allowed one run over six innings. Then in his next start, in Atlanta, he allowed nine runs from 11 hits over five innings. the Braves the following numbers against him:
- Ronald Acuña Jr. 4-6, HR
- Ozzie Albies 1-5, 3 K
- Orlando Arcia 1-8, 2 K
- Travis d’Arnaud 3-30, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
- Adam Duvall 3-6, 2B, K
- Luis Guillorme 0-2, BB
- Michael Harris II 1-3, 2B
- Matt Olson 1-9, BB, 4 K
- Marcell Ozuna 19-54, 3 2B, 4 HR, 2 BB, 9 K
- Austin Riley 2-6, 2B, K
The Mets bats draw the ageless Charlie Morton this evening. In Morton’s first start of the season he allowed no runs and three hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out six batters. Last season Morton made 30 starts over 163 1/3 innings with a 3.64 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.427 WHIP and a 122 ERA+. Morton and the Mets squared up frequently last year. Over four starts and 22 innings, Morton had a 3.27 ERA, 1.364 WHIP against the Mets who have have the following career numbers against him:
- Pete Alonso 6-25, 2B, 3 BB, 6 K
- Francisco Alvarez 2-10, HR, 2 K
- Harrison Bader 0-2, K
- Brett Baty 2-3, 2B, BB, K
- Francisco Lindor 6-41, 3 2B, HR, 2 BB, 12 K
- Starling Marte 4-21, 2 BB, 8 K
- Jeff McNeil 5-25, 2 HR, 2 BB, 7 K
- Omar Narváez 5-16, 2B, HR, BB, 3 K
- Brandon Nimmo 4-24, 4 BB, 10 K
- Zack Short 0-2, K
- DJ Stewart 2-5, 2 2B, 2 BB,2 K
- Tyrone Taylor 1-4, BB, K
- Joey Wendle 6-16, 2B, 5 K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Francisco Lindor: Lindor’s season got off to a dreadful start but yesterday was the complete opposite. He went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and a homer. His double in the first inning led to the first run of the game. His solo shot later in the game gave the Mets some much needed breathing room. Here’s hoping he can build on that tonight as he faces Charlie Morton who he has a career .146 batting average and .255 on base percentage against.
- Starling Marte: The x-factor for the Mets offense this year is going to be Starling Marte. Marte opened the season going 5-for-16 with two walks over the first four games. In the next three games he went 0-for-12. In the last two games he has gone 4-for-7 with two walks and scored three runs. Can he keep the momentum going again tonight?
- Bullpen usage, again. We’ll continue to monitor this until we don’t have to. The Mets bullpen, on the whole, has been effective this season and has kept the team in games. The starting rotation has also, for the most part, been effective. Starting pitchers are still not going deep into games and yesterday the Mets needed to use four of their key arms in one game, again. Here’s hoping the Mets bats put the team in a position tonight that Reed Garrett can eat innings at the end of the game and give the bullpen more rest.
Let’s Go Mets!
