Tuesday, April 2, 2019 • 7:10 p.m.
Marlins Park • Miami, FL
LHP Jason Vargas (7-9, 5.77 in ’18) vs. RHP José Ureña (0-1, 9.64)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050 AM

Let the kids play! The Mets won in the 9th inning last night, largely behind their young hitters and tonight they’ll try to take the series from the Marlins. Yesterday the Mets went down 2-0 early, crawled back to make it 2-2 (thanks to a Juan Lagares homer, his first since September 2017) then fell 3-2 and were able to knot it up again. In the top of the 9th. Amed singled in Dom Smith to take the lead and then Pete Alonso unloaded on a baseball for his first career home run that traveled 440-ft and left his bat at 113 miles per hour. Edwin Diaz would make things interesting in the 9th loading the bases before striking out the side.

My takeaway from last night was the dugout after Smith scored and then Alonso scored. The Mets looked liked they were having so much fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that much joy on their faces and I hope this continues. When they’re having fun, they’re way more fun to watch!

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – LF
  2. Jeff McNeil – 3B
  3. Robinson Cano – 2B
  4. Michael Conforto – RF
  5. Wilson Ramos – C
  6. Dominic Smith – 1B
  7. Amed Rosario – SS
  8. Juan Lagares – CF
  9. Jason Vargas – LHP

Marlins Lineup

  1. Miguel Rojas – SS
  2. Curtis Granderson – LF
  3. Brian Anderson – 3B
  4. Starlin Castro – 2B
  5. Martin Prado – 1B
  6. Jorge Alfaro – C
  7. Lewis Brinson – CF
  8. Peter O’Brien – RF
  9. Jose Urena – RHP

Jason Vargas makes his first start of 2019 today for the Mets. Last year was the tale of two seasons for him. Overall he went 7-9 over 20 starts and 92.0 innings with a 5.77 ERA, 5.02 FIP, 1.413 WHIP and 64 ERA+. From his first start until August 7th he made 12 starts and pitched 47.1 innings posting at 8.75 ERA. From his next start (August 14th) until the end of the season he made 8 starts, pitched 44.2 innings and posted a 2.62 ERA. Completely different. In two starts against the Marlins last year he allowed 2 runs off 5 hits in 11.0 innings while striking out 14 batters. The Marlins have the following numbers against Vargas:

The Mets bats will get their first look at Jose Urena who will be making his second start of the season tonight. Last year Jose made 31 starts pitching 174.0 innings posting a 3.98 ERA, 4.17 FIP (career low), 1.184 WHIP (career low) and a 91 ERA+. For a second straight year he led the league in hitting batters with pitchers with 14 in 2017 and 12 in 2018 (but none so far this year!). In his first start this season he allowed 6 runs, 5 earned off 9 hits and a walk while striking out 2. So far, his 9 hits allowed is the highest by any individual pitcher in 2019. He faced the Mets a lot last year making 4 starts and totaling 22.2 innings posting a 3.57 ERA and allowing 9 runs from 22 hits and 9 walks while striking out 14. The Mets have the following numbers against Urena:

Game Notes

Wilson Ramos is 19-for-his-last-36 (.528) with runners in scoring position dating to June 30 of last season, the highest average in those situations in the majors in that span. his .578 OBP with RISP in that span ranks second in that time behind only Mike Trout (.603).

Following last night’s game, the official scorer changed the error on Jeff McNeil. In the bottom of the fifth inning Martín Prado hit a foul ball that McNeil was unable to catch. Originally this was scored an error by McNeil, but it has been removed.

Juan Lagares was hit by a pitch on his right index finger in the ninth inning, X-rays were negative.

Mets pitchers have allowed only six walks this season, which is the fewest in the NL. Only the Houston Astros with three have issued fewer free passes. Mets starters have allowed only two walks, tied with the Astros for the fewest in the major leagues.

Let’s Go Mets!

Check 213 Miles From Shea for more Mets insights, including our look at how 21 former Mets players did with their current teams week 1 of the season.