The entire 2024 season comes down to a doubleheader in Atlanta today. The Mets and Diamondbacks both won on Sunday, while the Braves lost, setting up a doubleheader today where both games need to be played. Win and you’re in. That’s all the Mets and the Braves have to do. If they each win one game, they both celebrate before taking flights to San Diego and Milwaukee.
If either team gets swept, then the Diamondbacks play October baseball. The stage is set. Can the Grimace Mets find just a bit more magic?
The Mets are sending out Tylor Megill who hasn’t faced the Braves yet this season for game one. Over 15 games this season, 72 1/3 innings, Megill has a 3.98 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.272 WHIP and a 99 ERA+ (all career bests except for his WHIP). Since returning to the rotation he has pitched 25 1/3 innings with a 1.78 ERA, 2.02 FIP while striking out 28 batters. The Braves have the following career numbers against him:
- Ozzie Albies 5-18, HR, 5 K
- Orlando Arcia 2-9, 2B, BB, K
- Travis d’Arnaud 2-9, 2B, K
- Adam Duvall 2-5
- Michael Harris II 1-5, 2 K
- Jarred Kelenic 0-3, 2 K
- Whit Merrifield 0-3
- Sean Murphy 2-3, 3 BB
- Matt Olson 3-14, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
- Marcell Ozuna 6-12, 2B, 2 HR, 3 K
- Jorge Soler 0-5, K
- Gio Urshela 0-2, K
The Braves will find out this afternoon if the Mets were able to make adjustments to Spencer Schwellenbach. Schwellenbach pitched the first game of the Mets vs Braves series on Tuesday, holding the Mets to just a solo-shot from Mark Vientos over seven innings. In his last three starts he has allowed only four runs over 19 innings. The solo shot that Mark Vientos had on Tuesday night was their only run scored against Schwellenbach this entire season (14 innings). The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Luisangel Acuña 0-2
- Pete Alonso 1-5, 2B, BB, 2 K
- Francisco Alvarez 0-3, K
- Jose Iglesias 1-5, K
- Francisco Lindor 0-3
- Starling Marte 0-3
- J.D. Martinez 0-3, 3 K
- Brandon Nimmo 0-6, K
- Tyrone Taylor 0-3, K
- Luis Torrens 0-2, 2 2K
- Mark Vientos 2-5, HR, 3 K
- Jesse Winker 0-6, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- How do the Mets come out in the top of the first? On Tuesday night in Atlanta, the Mets looked pressed from the start, and it was a feeling that followed them through the first two games in Milwaukee. On Sunday afternoon the Mets came out aggressive and fired up, starting with Lindor getting on base and the immediately stealing a base. The Mets would go on to have 12 hits including multi-hit days from Lindor, Iglesias, Vientos, J.D. Martinez and Francisco Alvarez. The Mets need the same energy today so they don’t fall into the same game script story about the Mets vs Spencer Schwellenbach.
- Jose Iglesias. Iglesias kept hitting even when the rest of the team went silent over the last week. He now has a 20 game hitting streak where he is slashing .416/.451/.507. He has at least two hits in six of of his last eight games. The difference for the Mets is Iglesias hasn’t scored since September 21st. He also hasn’t had an RBI since the 21st. He’s getting on base, can the Mets take advantage today?
- Mets Bullpen Usage. The first game today is going to have “Game 7” vibes with both managers doing everything they can to pus their teams into the post-season. The Mets used Díaz yesterday, he had to use 26 pitches to get through the inning but it was his first time pitching in a week, he says he’s good to go today. The only pitcher who is probably not available is Phil Maton who pitched in back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday. There’s also a second game today. If things are going left, for the Mets, will we see Mendoza pivot to put all the effort in game two?
Let’s Go Mets!
