Tuesday, April 23, 2019 • 7:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Zach Eflin (2-2, 3.68) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (1-2, 6.35)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050 AM

After what felt like a week of being out of step, the Mets were in-sync last night after a two-hour rain delay and will try to take game two of the series against the Phillies today in the battle of the Zachs/Zacks. Last night the Mets functioned as they were designed to. Matz was strong over 6.0 innings and then Lugo, Familia and Diaz each had a strong inning behind him. For a team that has been struggling with pitching of all kinds the last couple of weeks, it was a welcomed sign.

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  2. Pete Alonso – 1B
  3. Robinson Cano – 2B
  4. Michael Conforto – RF
  5. Wilson Ramos – C
  6. Jeff McNeil – LF
  7. Todd Frazier – 3B
  8. Luis Guillorme – SS
  9. Zack Wheeler – RHP

Phillies Lineup

  1. Andrew McCutchen – LF
  2. J.T. Realmuto – C
  3. Bryce Harper – RF
  4. Rhys Hoskins – 1B
  5. Maikel Franco – 3B
  6. Cesar Hernandez – 2B
  7. Phil Gosselin – SS
  8. Zach Eflin – RHP
  9. Roman Quinn – CF

Tonight it’s Wheeler’s turn to get back on the right track. On the season he has tossed 22.2 innings over 4 starts posting a 6.35 ERA, 4.72 FIP, 1.544 WHIP and 63 ERA+. His last two starts have been a step in the right direction, posting a 3.46 ERA over 13.0 innings. His last start was the first of the season against the Phillies where he allowed 3 runs over 7.0 innings from 5 hits and 3 walks but also two homers. The Phillies have the following numbers against him:

  • Bryce Harper 5-28, HR, 4 BB, 11 K
  • Cesar Hernandez 8-16, HR, BB, 4 K
  • Odubel Herrera 2-13, HR, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Maikel Franco 1-9, HR, 2 BB
  • J.T. Realmuto 5-11, 2B, 2 K
  • Rhys Hoskins 1-9, BB, 3 K
  • Andrew McCutchen 2-9, 2B, HR, BB, K
  • Scott Kingery 1-6, HR, 2 K

The Mets will get their first 2019 look at Zach Eflin tonight who is 2-2 over 4 starts and 22.0 innings with a 3.68 ERA, 4.77 FIP, 1.364 WHIP and 93 ERA+. In his first two starts of the season he was dominant allowing only 1 run over 12.0 innings, then he allowed 6 runs off 10 hits in 4.0 innings against the Marlins. He had an average start his last time in Colorado allowing 3 runs, 2 earned over 6.0 innings. He faced the Mets 4 times last year allowing 13 runs over 19.2 innings (5.95 ERA) from 19 hits and 9 walks while striking out 23. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

  • Michael Conforto 3-16, 2B, HR, BB, 4 K
  • Amed Rosario 5-11, 3 2B, 2 K
  • Jeff McNeil 2-7, 2B, 3B, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Brandon Nimmo 1-7, 2 BB
  • Dominic Smith 1-6, BB
  • Todd Frazier 2-4, HR, 2 K
  • Robinson Cano 3-3, HR

Game Notes

McNeil is 12-28 (.429) this year when he has two strikes, the highest mark in the majors.

Amed Rosario is feeling better and may be available off the bench tonight.

There’s not timetable on the return for Justin Wilson from the 10-day IL. He’s dealing with elbow soreness and won’t throw for three days.

Lets Go Mets!

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