Thursday, April 17, 2025 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Andre Pallante (2-0, 2.20) vs. RHP Griffin Canning (1-1, 4.20)
SNY

It’s been a weird last two days for the Mets. The Mets weren’t able to take advantage of a Twins team making mistakes on the field. When the Mets were at their best in 2022, or cruising through their Grimace era, they never let a mistake from the other team slide.

Then there were the unusual things that happened. A critical fielding mistake from Francisco Lindor (one of the most consistent fielders the Mets have ever had). A starting pitcher getting sick and needing to miss a start, two days before the Mets were originally thinking about inserting a sixth starter. Losing a challenge early in a game, and because of the arcane challenge rules, couldn’t challenge a missed call at first that led to a run.

The best thing after a couple of days like this is to come home, reset, and get some positive vibes going.

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

  1. Francisco Lindor – SS
  2. Juan Soto – RF
  3. Pete Alonso – 1B
  4. Mark Vientos – 3B
  5. Brandon Nimmo – LF
  6. Starling Marte – DH
  7. Luis Torrens – C
  8. Brett Baty – 2B
  9. Tyrone Taylor – CF

Griffin Canning returns to the mound after missing a start due to illness. Over three starts, Canning has pitched 15 innings, allowing seven runs on 15 hits and eight walks while striking out 13 (4.20 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 1.533 WHIP, 91 ERA+). His last start was definitely the worst of the season, allowing four runs over 5 1/3 innings from seven hits and three walks in Sacramento. He was doing great, though, until the sixth inning, when three of those earned runs scored. The Cardinals have the following career numbers against him:

Opposing Lineup

Andre Pallante is off to a fast start in 2025. Over three starts, he has allowed four runs over 16 1/3 innings from 10 hits, seven walks and 13 strikeouts (2.20 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.041 WHIP, 185 ERA+). He’s coming off his best start of the season, where he shut out the Phillies over seven innings. The Mets got to him, though, in 2024, tagging him for five runs from five hits over 4 2/3 innings. The Mets own the following career stats against him:

  • Pete Alonso 1-3, 2 BB
  • Francisco Lindor 2-8, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Starling Marte 2-3, BB, K
  • Brandon Nimmo 1-10, 2B, K
  • Juan Soto 0-3, 2 BB
  • Tyrone Taylor 3-8, 2B, K
  • Jesse Winker 1-3

Game Notes

  • Carlos Mendoza said that Francisco Alvarez could return to the Mets during this home stand. Alvarez will catch back-to-back games for Double-A Binghamton this weekend, and they will re-evaluate him after those two games.
  • Frankie Montas is throwing from 75 feet as he continues to rehab from a lat injury. Montas is still on track for a late-May or early-June return.
  • Drew Gilbert has been activated from the seven-day injured list for Triple-A Syracuse. Gilbert went 9-for-24 with two homers and two doubles for St. Lucie. Dom Hamel has been activated from the IL as well.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Roster Moves. The Mets made a series of long-awaited roster moves earlier this afternoon. Jose Siri was finally added to the IL, which allows the Mets to recall Max Kranick despite optioning him earlier in the week. Justin Hagenman was optioned to Syracuse, and José Azócar was selected. Azócar gives the Mets additional outfield depth and was playing solidly in Triple A (10-for-41, 2 2B, HR, 4 SB, .244/.367/.366).
  2. Pete Alonso. As long as Pete Alonso keeps hitting, we’ll keep highlighting him. Yesterday, he went 2-for-4 at the plate. It was his third consecutive game with two hits. He already has nine multi-hit games this season (18 games played). The focus on 2025 is going to be on the Polar Bear chasing the Mets’ all-time home run record (252, held by Strawberry, and Alonso is currently at 231). He’s also turning into a double machine, with eight so far in the young season.
  3. Positive signs from struggling hitters. Brett Baty went 2-for-4 at the plate yesterday. It was his third consecutive game with a hit (4-for-13). Luisangel Acuña has a six-game hitting streak right now, going 8-for-21 with two doubles, four stolen bases, and six runs scored. The Mets have won every game in the last six where Acuña scored a run.

Let’s go Mets!