The Mets will try to clinch a playoff for the first time ever at Citi Field this afternoon! On Tuesday the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the five game series thanks to a dominant start by Sean Manaea who shutout the Phillies over 7+ innings. Pete Alonso got the scoring going early with a solo shot. Late in the game the Mets bats built multiple small rallies on their way to a 7-2 victory. Let’s end this tonight in Queens!
Jose Quintana will start a clinching game for his second straight start. His last start was in a winner-take-all elimination game where he held the Brewers scoreless over six innings, scattering four hits and a walk while striking out five. In the regular season he tossed 170 1/3 innings with a 3.75 ERA, 4.56 FIP, 1.250 WHIP and a 105 ERA+. Quintana ended the season on a terrific run with a 0.74 ERA, 2.48 FIP over six games. This includes a start against the Phillies in Philly where Quintana held them scoreless over seven innings. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:
- Alec Bohm 3-15, 2B, HR, 3 K
- Nick Castellanos 13-53, 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 10 K
- Bryce Harper 4-21, 2B, HR, BB, 8 K
- Austin Hays 1-1
- Branon Marsh 0-2, K
- J.T. Realmuto 4-19, HR, 3 BB, K
- Johan Rojas 5-9, 2 K
- Kyle Schwarber 7-24, 2B, HR, 7 K
- Edmundo Sosa 3-9, 2B, 3 K
- Bryson Stott 0-3, BB, K
- Garrett Stubbs 0-2
- Trea Turner 6-24, 2B, 3 K
- Weston Wilson 0-6, 2 K
Ranger Suárez has pitched 150 2/3 innings over 27 starts with a 3.46 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.201 WHIP and a 117 ERA+. He hasn’t pitched since September 27th where he allowed six runs over two innings to the Nationals. In his last six starts of the season he had a 6.49 ERA, 5.37 FIP over 26 1/3 innings, allowing five homers. This includes a start against the Mets where Suárez allowed two runs, both solo home runs, over five innings, in a game the Mets won 6-3. Over the course of the season Suárez has a 2.30 ERA over three starts against the Mets. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Luisangel Acuña 1-2, HR
- Pete Alonso 2-17, 2 2B, 8 BB, 4 K
- Francisco Alvarez 1-7, HR, 3 K
- Harrison Bader 1-7
- Jose Iglesias 6-8, 2 2B, K
- Francisco Lindor 5-16, 2B, HR, BB, K
- Starling Marte 6-19, 2B, 2 BB, K
- J.D. Martinez 2-9, 2B, BB, 3 K
- Brandon Nimmo 3-25, 3 BB, 4 K
- Tyrone Taylor 2-7, K
- Luis Torrens 1-5, BB, 2 K
- Mark Vientos 3-15, 2B, HR, 7 K
- Jesse Winker 1-5, 2 K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Pete Alonso. The postseason can completely rewrite a regular season. In Alonso’s last four games he has gone 3-for-14 with all three hits being home runs, and has walked three times. All three homers have been to the opposite field. He saved the Mets season in Milwaukee. He energized Citi Field. The Mets are just more fun with Pete Alonso is hitting his stride.
- The Mets Approach. It was clear the Mets had a specific approach Tuesday with Aaron Nola. The Mets were aggressive, swinging at first pitch, not waiting for Nola to drop his curveball all over the place. Do they do the same with Ranger today, or do they try to get him to work a bit more and get himself in trouble. For example, Alonso only has two hits in 17 at bats, but has eight walks (.118 BA vs .400 OBP, thus showing why batting average is a terrible stat). The Mets have also shown they are not afraid of the Phillies bullpen.
- The Phillies Approach. Zack Wheeler was fantastic against the Mets in game one. If this series goes to five games, the Mets will be facing Wheeler again in Philly. If the Phillies lose today, there is no game on Friday. Expect the Phillies to empty out their bullpen tonight, there’s no reason to keep anyone with this being an elimination game and their best pitcher waiting for game five. The Mets pass the baton approach has been effective against the Phillies going back to September and has to be weighing on the minds of the Phillies relievers.
Let’s Go Mets!
