Sunday, June 24, 2018 • 1:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, N.Y.
LHP Rich Hill (1-2, 4.99) vs. LHP Jerry Blevins (1-1, 4.86)
PIX11 • WOR 710 AM • 104.3 WAXQ-FM HD 2 • ESPN 1050
Yesterday’s battle of the aces was anything but and ended with the Mets getting routed and now they will try to avoid the sweep. The Mets got an average start from Jacob deGrom allowing three runs over six innings, with two runs coming after a controversial strike three non-call. The Mets offense should have been able to overcome that for a few reasons, but they didn’t. First, they just owe it to deGrom. Second, Kershaw only lasted a few innings since this was really a rehab start for him. Third, they went 2-12 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight men on base. Gsellman will become the scapegoat of this game (first for allowing five runs over two innings, second because the Mets will probably need him today and he shouldn’t be available, which isn’t his fault at all) but ultimately the offense needs to get it done. Nimmo got three hits on the night, which is nice!
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo CF
- Todd Frazier 3B
- Asdrubal Cabrera 2B
- Wilmer Flores 1B
- Jose Bautista RF
- Dominic Smith LF
- Kevin Plawecki C
- Jose Reyes SS
- Jerry Blevins P
Dodgers Lineup
- Enrique Hernandez SS
- Max Muncy 3B
- Matt Kemp LF
- Cody Bellinger 1B
- Yasiel Puig RF
- Logan Forsythe 2B
- Joc Pederson CF
- Austin Barnes C
- Rich Hill P
Complicating the finale for the Mets today is the pitching situation. Jason Vargas was a late scratch from today’s start landing himself on the DL from conditioning injury. The Mets called up Flexen who was supposed to start for Vegas today and instead flew all night to get to New York. The situation is reminiscent of Tyler Pill in 2017 who got a last-minute start for Harvey, traveled all night and did terribly. While Jerry Blevins will actually get the start, Flexen is likely going to pitch a large portion of this game. Flexen has allowed seven runs, three earned over 2 1/3 innings this year and last year allowed 44 runs, 42 earned in 48.0 innings (a 7.88 ERA) also posting a 6.95 FIP, 2.021 WHIP and 53 ERA+.
The Dodgers starting pitcher situation today is normal. I’m envious. Rich Hill his 1-2 over 7 starts and 30.2 innings with a 4.99 ERA, 5.51 FIP, 1.565 WHIP, 77 ERA+. His last start was on the 19th which was his first start in exactly a month. He pitched well holding the Cubs scoreless over six innings off three hits and two walks. In LA against the Mets last year he held the Amazin’s to 1 run over five innings from four hits and three walks while in Queens he held the Mets to three runs over five innings from six hits and one walk. The Mets have the following numbers against Hill:
- Bautista 4-24, 2 2B, 3 BB
- Reyes 3-8
- Flores 2-6, 2B, HR
- Cabrera 0-4
- Conforto 1-3, HR
- Frazier 0-2
- Rosario 0-2
Game Notes
Jerry Blevins will start today for the first time since August 21, 2005 when he was with Peoria (A) of the Midwest League at Quad Cities. He worked five innings and allowed four runs on nine hits in that game. Blevins made two starts that season, his only two starts during his professional career.
Michael Conforto has four doubles, two homers, seven walks and seven RBI in his last 11 games. Conforto is batting
.325 (13-40) with a .429 on-base percentage during that span. In addition, Conforto has hit in six straight games, going 9-24 (.375). He has a 14.6% walk rate for the year, ranking 14th in the majors.
Jose Bautista has a .455 OBP since joining the Mets on May 22. Bautista has reached base safely in his last nine games (.615 OBP during that span). He has homered in back-to-back games for the first time since homering in three consecutive games, August 9-11, 2017 with Toronto. Bautista is hitting .500 (6-12) with two doubles, two homers, eight RBI and six runs scored over his last seven games. He has drawn 10 base-on-balls in his last nine games.
The Mets are facing their fourth consecutive lefthanded starter. The last time that happened was in 2012 (May 1-5) courtesy of Elias. The club is 9-13 when facing a left-handed starter.
After losing the first two games of this series, the Mets will look to avoid being swept. The Dodgers swept a three-game series at Citi Field last year, August 4-6. The Mets have never lost every game of a home season series to a team in consecutive years.
Let’s Go Mets!
