Wednesday, August 12, 2020 • 7:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Anibal Sanchez (0-2, 7.84) vs. RHP Robert Gsellman (0-0, 0.00)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM
Yesterday was another lackluster day for the New York Mets, and today is the day that has been a mystery on the calendar for about half a week now. Last night the Mets got a solid start from Rick Porcello, allowing two runs in six innings. The bullpen also pitched well, getting three scoreless innings of relief from Jared Hughes and Edwin Diaz.
When you get pitching like that, you have to win. But the Mets were only able to plate one of their 10 base runners (7 H, 3BB), as they once again looked lost when they had runners in scoring position. Tonight the outstanding double play combination of Guillorme and Gimenez returns, as Amed Rosario is once against absent from the starting lineup.
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo – CF
- J.D. Davis – 3B
- Jeff McNeil – LF
- Michael Conforto – RF
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- Dominic Smith – DH
- Andres Gimenez – SS
- Wilson Ramos – C
- Luis Guillorme – 2B
Nationals Lineup
- Trea Turner – SS
- Adam Eaton – RF
- Starlin Castro – 2B
- Juan Soto – LF
- Howie Kendrick – DH
- Asdrubal Cabrera – 3B
- Eric Thames – 1B
- Kurt Suzuki – C
- Victor Robles – CF
A few days ago, the Mets added Michael Wacha to the Injured List with no clear person set to start tonight’s game. Robert Gsellman was named today’s starter and he’ll probably be followed at some point by Walker Lockett. Gsellman has seen action in one game this season, allowing one hit in his only inning of work.
Last year Gsellman appeared in 52 games, pitching 63.2 innings with a 4.66 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 1.366 WHIP and 87 ERA+. He did not enjoy pitching against the Nationals last year – allowing eight runs over eight innings pitched. The Nationals have the following numbers against him:
- Trea Turner 4-17, 2B, BB, 3 K
- Adam Eaton 2-6, K
- Starlin Castro 0-5, K
- Juan Soto 1-3, 2B, BB, K
- Howie Kendrick 3-8, 2B, BB, 3 K
- Josh Harrison 3-5, 2B
- Kurt Suzuki 4-12
Anibal Sanchez gets the start for the Nationals tonight. Over his first two starts, Sanchez has allowed nine runs from 16 hits (four homers!) and four walks in 10.1 innings, while striking out 11.
Last season he made 30 starts and logged 166 innings, posting a 3.85 ERA, 4.44 FIP, 1.271 WHIP and 118 ERA+. Against the Mets he made three starts, pitching 11.1 innings, and allowed 10 runs from 16 hits (three homers) while walking five and striking out seven. The Mets have the following numbers against Sanchez:
- J.D. Davis 4-7, 2B
- Pete Alonso 2-6, HR
- Wilson Ramos 8-22, 2 2B, 4 BB, K
- Brian Dozier 11-40, 2 2B, 3 HR, 3 BB, 8 K
- Brandon Nimmo 1-4, 2 BB, K
- Michael Conforto 2-14, HR, BB, 8 K
- Jeff McNeil 1-6, 2B, BB
- Amed Rosario 2-10, 2B, K
Game Notes
Luis Rojas announced prior to the game that Robert Gsellman was not just making this start as part of a bullpen game, but that he will be part of the rotation moving forward. Gsellman will be available for 45 to 60 pitches tonight.
Gsellman last made a start in 2017 and has the following career numbers as a starter: 11-9, 4.60 ERA, 29 starts. 156 2/3 IP, 174 H, 53 BB, 118 K.
Brandon Nimmo has reached base safely in all 17 games this year and in 32 consecutive games dating back to last season. If he gets on base tonight, Nimmo will tie Daryl Strawberry (1987) and Jose Reyes (2008) for the fourth-longest streak in franchise history.
Let’s Go Mets!
