Before we get to this series, let’s look at what has happened lately.

Mets Have Won 9 of Their Last 10 Games

The Mets are on a hot streak at just the right time. Although the season spans 162 games, the teams that figure it out later are generally successful in the playoffs. Of course, injuries also play major roles in these situations, and the Mets are on the unfortunate end of that with the season-ending injury suffered by Jeff McNeil (fractured wrist). The Mets must now rely on their infield depth in McNeil’s absence, which could expose a potential weakness in roster construction.

After taking a seven-game winning streak into their weekend series against the Reds, the Mets won two out of three. The entire pitching staff played an instrumental role in securing these two victories, as well as offensive contributions from Mark Vientos, J.D. Martinez, and others.

What’s The Story?

Entering Monday, the Mets are tied for the third Wild Card spot with the Braves. They trail the Padres and Diamondbacks, who are both two and one and a half games ahead, respectively. It is positive progress from last week, as they have made up ground on both teams since beginning their series against the Reds.

The Blue Jays are not in the race entering the series, sitting 8.5 games out of the third AL Wild Card spot. They have won just one of their last six games against the Twins, Phillies, and Braves. While they have standout pieces, they haven’t seemed to figure it out this year, and the Mets should be able to take advantage of that.

Pitching Matchups

• Monday: RHP Tylor Megill (3-5, 4.95 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Burr (0-1, 4.44 ERA): While Paul Blackburn was supposed to return from the IL, he was a late scratch early Monday, and Tylor Megill will get the start instead. Megill has had an up-and-down season, seeing most of his time in Triple-A Syracuse. The trend has somewhat continued in his return to the big league club, and he continues to struggle to go deep into games. In the two starts since his return in late August, Megill has gone just over nine innings and allowed four runs, ten hits and struck out nine while walking two. The Blue Jays made a last minute switch to their rotation for the series, sending opener Burr to the mound for Monday. The Mets should expect to see him for an inning or two.
• Tuesday: LHP David Peterson (9-1, 2.75 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (9-13, 4.30 ERA):
•  David Peterson continues to lead the Mets to pivotal victories, most recently tossing six innings of one-run ball. He has not allowed more than three runs in a start since July 28, showcasing his value down the stretch. The former Met Bassitt struggled through a recent start, where he allowed 10 hits and four runs over 5 1/3 innings. His summer struggles have seeped into September, with a 6.03 ERA since the begging of July.
• Wednesday: LHP Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.43 ERA) vs. RHP Bowden Francis (8-4, 3.72 ERA): Sean Manaea took a minor step back in his last start, allowing four runs over 6 2/3 innings. However, he has been strong lately, consistently delivering outings of six or more innings.  Bowden Francis has been really effective recently, tossing six or more innings in each of his last five starts. In that span, he has allowed just five runs.

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METS FINISHED ROAD TRIP STRONG

After splitting their first series of the road trip against the Padres, the Mets still had to play six games against the Diamondbacks and White Sox. With the season ending sooner rather than later, the Mets had little margin for error as they continued to log flight miles across the country.

The Mets promptly handled business in Arizona, winning two out of three. Strong pitching performances from southpaws Sean Manaea and David Peterson played a major role in securing these integral victories.

Then, the Mets would be tested once again, as they traveled to Chicago with no off day in between to play three games against the White Sox. While the White Sox have drawn comparisons to the 1962 Mets due to their misfortunes this year, these games were still not guaranteed victories.

That said, the Mets once again asserted their dominance in a series sweep, again with the help of their effective starting pitchers.

Overall, they finished their 10-game road trip with a 7-3 record, which is a tremendous outcome given the demanding travel requirements. They now sit one game behind the Braves for the third NL Wild Card spot with the whole month of September in front of them.

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WHAT’S THE STORY?

After a long road trip, the Mets do not have time to breathe yet. They begin their series against the Red Sox on Monday, just a day after their winning effort on the Southside. They face a Red Sox team largely out of the playoff race, with 4 1/2 games separating them from the third AL Wild Card spot. Never forget: anything can happen a month out from October.

However, the Mets are still very much in their race, a game behind the Braves and four games behind both the Padres and Diamondbacks. While reaching the first or second Wild Card spot may be a bit of a stretch, the third spot is certainly up for grabs. They will go up against the Braves in the penultimate series of the season at Truist Park. Therefore, the Mets must stay afoat until then to be within striking distance once they fly to Atlanta in late September.

Although it goes without saying, the Mets must treat every game as critical going forward, including these upcoming contests. The Red Sox have had their hot-and-cold moments this year, but come off a weekend series against the Tigers they lost. They finished August with a 13-15 record after extending manager Alex Cora. The bottom line is this is a team that the Mets need to beat if they want to convince themselves that they are true contenders.

PITCHING MATCHUPS

• Monday: RHP Brayan Bello (12-6, 4.66 ERA) vs. RHP Luis Severino (9-6, 3.96 ERA): Bello comes off a tremendous outing, tossing eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. Despite his overall rocky season, he has settled in nicely as of late, with a 3.52 ERA in nine starts since July 14. Severino struck out nine in 4 2/3 innings last time, but he also allowed four runs. This has been the longest body of work Severino has produced in a long time, so this last month of the season will test his endurance, given his recent injury history. He has a 5.8 percent barrel rate this year, so it will be difficult for the Red Sox to produce strong contact.
• Tuesday: RHP Kutter Crawford (8-12, 4.12 ERA) vs. LHP David Peterson (8-1, 2.83 ERA): Crawford had a rough stretch in late July that spilled over into August, where he had a 9.75 ERA across five starts from July 21 to August 14. However, he has settled in since then, posting a 3.71 ERA in his last three starts. Crawford has struggled to limit barrels and initiate ground balls, so those are two areas that the Mets should look to exploit. Peterson, on the other hand, has been a revelation for the Mets this year. Just when you think he will regress, he puts up another dominant outing. He did that in his last start, pitching seven innings and allowing two runs against the Diamondbacks.
• Wednesday: RHP Tanner Houck (8-9, 3.12 ERA) vs. RHP Tylor Megill (3-5, 4.82 ERA): Houck is coming off six shutout innings with six strikeouts against the Tigers, in what has been an overall successful season. He has induced ground balls 55.2 percent of the time, while limiting barrels to just a 5.8 percent clip. He will likely be the toughest pitcher the Mets face this series, so they should be sure to put out their best lineup on Wednesday. Megill is back with the team after a stint in Triple-A Syracuse, and he was effective in his last start. He pitched 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and one run allowed against the White Sox. Despite the similarity in name, the Red Sox are not the White Sox; Megill will be tested against a more disciplined offense.

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WHO’S HOT

Jesse Winker

When was the last time the Mets struck a trade for an impactful offensive player? After several years of missing the mark, the Mets may have found their stride with Jesse Winker. He has not only reinvigorated the energy among players and fans alike, but he has also produced at an exceptional level lately. He is batting .471/.444/.765 in his last seven games with a home run and four RBIs. Since joining the Mets, Winker has had seven extra-base hits, nine RBIs, and 135 wRC+ in 79 plate appearances. His presence and continued production in the lineup will be essential to the team’s success this month.

Jarren Duran

Like Winker, Duran has been strong in recently. He is batting .393/.414/.857 with three home runs in his last seven games. He offers a combination of fielding, speed, and bat-to-ball skills that has proven to be a nightmare for opposing teams. Eleven of the All-Star MVP’s 21 home runs have come against fastballs, so it would be wise for Mets pitchers to bring some offspeed alternatives against him this week.

PREDICTION

With an off day coming Wednesday, the Mets will pour all their energy into this series and assert their position as the better team. They will win on Monday and Tuesday with strong performances from Severino and Peterson in front of the home crowd. However, the cards may not be stacked in the Mets’ favor on Wednesday, with the possibility of a Tylor Megill outing that takes them out of the game early. So, the final prediction is that the Mets win the series 2-1, with help from the Citi Field crowd that they have not seen in a while.

The post Series Preview: Mets Return Home to Host Red Sox appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

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Heading into the game, Peterson had a 1.71 ERA and 3.17 FIP over his last five outings. His 50 percent ground ball rate during that time had been integral to his success.

On the season, he falls into the 91st percentile in that stat (52.7%), which has helped to mitigate the effects of his subpar 18.1 percent strikeout rate and 43.5 percent hard-hit rate.

One possible explanation for Peterson’s elite ground ball rate is his increased sinker usage, which has jumped from 25.3 percent last year to 31.8 percent this season. Several Mets pitchers including Sean Manaea and Phil Maton have also altered their pitch distribution this season with favorable results.

Peterson started off strong in the first inning, picking off Randal Grichuk with a deceptive move to first base to end the inning. This was his 14th time pulling off such an attempt in his career.

Grichuk would get his revenge in the bottom of the third, launching a two-run home run to give the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Peterson’s pickoff expertise would work to his advantage once again as he nabbed Jake McCarthy to end the inning.

Grichuk’s home run would be the only blip in Peterson’s otherwise solid outing, as he went on to complete seven innings with four strikeouts. This is the third-consecutive start in which he has pitched seven or more innings, showcasing his value to the team down the stretch.

Peterson’s slider was working particularly well for him in this start, generating three whiffs and six called strikes in 19 uses. The pitch has a 31.9 percent whiff rate this season, the highest of all his offerings.

The Mets would go on to take the series with a 3-2 win that was backed by their strong pitching.

Peterson commented on the mindset of the team as they navigate this final stretch of the season.

“We’ve talked all year about letting each day be its own thing,” Peterson said. “We win, we celebrate the little victory and move on.”

The post Peterson Holds Down Fort With Strong Outing appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

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Vientos has certainly earned his placement at the top of the order, as he was holding a nine-game hitting streak heading into the game. In that span, he was batting .353/.436/.706 with a 218 wRC+, three home runs and seven RBIs.

After leadoff hitter Francisco Lindor reached base via a double to start the contest, Vientos responded with a 100.5 mph two-bagger of his own, driving in the game’s first run.

“I tried to do the same thing as Frankie and pretty much did it,” Vientos said.

Statcast recently began tracking bat speed on batted balls, and they classify any bat speed exceeding 75 mph as a “fast swing.” Vientos’ bat speed on that double was 76.9 mph, therefore qualifying it as a fast swing. This season, he is ranked in the 58th percentile for that metric with a 72.3 mph average.

Later on, Vientos would break the game open with a 101.2 mph two-run single in the top of the ninth inning. He extended the Mets’ lead to four runs in the process and contributed to a major rally that eventually led to four more runs crossing the plate that frame in an eventual 8-3 win.

When asked about his approach with the bases loaded and no outs in that situation, Vientos emphasized simplicity in the face of high pressure.

“Honestly, all I was trying to do was put the ball through the infield or get a sac fly,” Vientos said. “I know we needed runs to keep the game far away.”

These comments display growth in Vientos’ mindset from being swing-happy earlier in his career to his more disciplined approach nowadays. There is no doubt that veterans like Lindor and J.D. Martinez have contributed to the productive season he is having.

He is now batting .282/.339/.557 with 20 home runs and 54 RBIs this season, which has rightfully earned him a major role on this team.

The post Vientos Stays Hot With Three-RBI Performance appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets sit two games behind the Braves in the Wild Card race for the third spot. These upcoming games will continue to be of great importance for the Mets, as the margin for error will decrease as the end of the season gets closer.

As for the Orioles, they are looking to figure out their postseason fate. The O’s and Yankees are tied for the best record in the American League East, so they are looking to avoid a Wild Card placement as the postseason approaches.

This series will conclude the homestand for the Mets, as they will venture out to San Diego and Arizona with no off days in between. Therefore, the Mets should take advantage of the home crowd now since they won’t return to Citi Field until September.

Let’s preview the pitching matchups for this series!

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Monday, August 19, 2024: LHP Trevor Rogers (2-11, 4.89 ERA) vs. David Peterson (7-1, 3.04 ERA)

Trevor Rogers has struggled mightily since being traded to the Orioles, allowing 12 earned runs across three starts. He has allowed an average exit velocity of 91.3 mph, a common theme for him this season. He is in the 10th percentile among qualified pitchers in that category, with a figure of 90.6 mph for the season. His struggles have extended to control, where he has walked 9.8 percent of opposing batters. Rogers had one of his better outings against the Mets in late July when he allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings.

David Peterson continues to put up strong numbers, most recently tossing 6 1/3 shutout frames against the Athletics. Peterson has a 2.43 ERA in his last six starts, along with an elite 52.7 percent ground ball rate. Despite not being favored by some advanced statistics (he has just a 0.5 fWAR on the season), his 53.3 percent ground ball rate makes up for it. To put this into perspective, if Peterson allows hard contact, he might not be as susceptible to its adverse effects, as he mainly allows ground balls.

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Tuesday, August 20, 2024: RHP Dean Kremer (5-9, 4.48 ERA) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (6-8, 4.26 ERA)

Dean Kremer offers a five-pitch mix headlined by a four-seamer and cutter. Kremer was effective in his latest outing, allowing one run over six innings. However, that is not the usual output for Kremer, who has struggled to remain consistent this season. He has been plagued by barrels, allowing them at a 10.4 percent clip this year. The Mets should be able to capitalize on his high fastball usage Tuesday.

Jose Quintana was not very effective in his last start, allowing four runs in as many innings. Quintana has a 5.29 ERA in his previous six starts, along with an uninspiring 37.8 percent ground ball rate. He has been largely inconsistent this season, so his recent struggles might not hold much weight heading into the game on Tuesday.

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Wednesday, August 21, 2024: RHP Zach Eflin (9-7, 3.72 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (9-5, 3.46 ERA)

Zach Eflin mainly deploys a sinker and cutter, among other pitches, and he controls them all very well. He has just a 2.7 percent walk rate, which is good for the 99th percentile. Further, he has excelled in getting batters to chase with his 32.9 percent chase rate. Eflin is a tough pitcher to face because his pitches generate a lot of movement, and he can keep them in the zone.

Sean Manaea has continued his excellent stretch, with a 2.51 ERA in his last five starts. He has stepped up in a big way for the Mets as they continue to navigate through this difficult stretch of games. The interesting thing about Manaea’s success is that he has done it with a low ground ball rate and average strikeout rate. He looks to continue this success against a formidable Orioles lineup.

Players to Watch

Pete Alonso (NYM)

Pete Alonso has been heating up recently, crushing two home runs in his last five games. He has a 12.5 percent barrel rate in 2024, showcasing his home run potential. Further, he has hit the Orioles well over the years, with five home runs in 11 games against them in his career.

Gunnar Henderson (BAL)

Gunnar Henderson has been on a tear recently, smashing four home runs in his last five games. The young slugger has been sensational this season, batting .288/.374/.562 with 33 home runs to complement his strong baserunning skills. His unique combination of a low chase rate of 21.8 percent and a high hard-hit rate of 55.4 percent make him a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

The post Series Preview: Mets Host the Young and Hungry Orioles appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Vientos commented about the advantage associated with batting earlier in the order after New York’s 7-6 loss.

“I get to have like five at-bats in a game, so you get more at-bats,” Vientos said. “There’s just something about second, I can’t really tell you.”

This decision from manager Carlos Mendoza paid off rather quickly, as Vientos launched a two-run home run to give the Mets a 3-0 lead in the third inning. This 406-foot long ball traveled 107.2 mph at a launch angle of 26 degrees.

Vientos has been very adept in generating barrels, as he is in the 96th percentile among qualified hitters with a 16.1 percent barrel rate. This means that he is not only posting strong exit velocities, but also hitting at an ideal launch angle, which is exactly what he did on that first homer.

His productive day did not end there. In the very next inning, Vientos cracked another home run, this time of the solo variety, to make the score 6-4 in favor of the Mets. His 19th long ball of the season traveled 371 feet to straight-away right field at a 101.1 mph exit velocity.

This homer came on a fastball, a pitch that Vientos has performed very well against this year. He is slugging .614 against fastballs compared to his .390 mark against breaking balls.

Despite the Mets’ defeat, Vientos ended the day 2-for-5 with his 18th and 19th home runs of the season. He is now batting .275/.333/.557 on the year with 48 RBIs and a 148 wRC+.

Teammate and hitting extraordinaire J.D. Martinez had high praise for Vientos after the game.

“He plays with energy,” Martinez said. “He’s got confidence in the box. That’s something that you want to see.”

While Vientos’ defense at the hot corner leaves a lot to be desired, his breakout season at the plate has been a revelation for the Mets. He has solidified himself as the starting third baseman for this club, eclipsing Brett Baty in that regard. He could slide to first base or into the designated hitter role in the future as well, and he’s certainly cemented a role as a key piece for New York moving forward.

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The Mets struggled mightily against the Mariners over the weekend, only scoring one run among three losing efforts. They sit one game behind the Braves for the final Wild Card spot after winning four of 10 games on their road trip.

This series against the Athletics kicks off a crucial nine-game homestand that can have major Wild Card race implications.

Let’s preview the pitching matchups for this series!

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Tuesday, August 13, 2024: TBD vs. RHP Paul Blackburn (5-2, 3.86 ERA)

The Athletics have yet to name a starter for Tuesday, as they have shaken up their rotation with off days last Thursday and this past Monday. Ross Stripling is a possibility, as he has not pitched since last Tuesday. However, he has struggled mightily since returning from injury on July 25, with a 5.40 ERA in three starts.

Paul Blackburn will go up against his former team for the first time on Tuesday. In the two starts Blackburn has made with the Mets, he has noticeably increased his cutter usage. In this span, opponents are batting just .177 against the pitch, part of an overall trend of success for Blackburn.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday, August 14, 2024: RHP Mitch Spence (7-8, 4.33 ERA) vs. LHP David Peterson (6-1, 3.34 ERA)

Mitch Spence offers a five-pitch mix headlined by a cutter and slider. His speedier pitchers hover around 92 mph, and his curveball is his best pitch. It has a 31.9 percent whiff rate, and opponents are batting just .193 against it. Besides that, Spence does not profile as a strikeout pitcher and is often susceptible to allowing hard contact. His 41.9 percent hard-hit rate places him in the 24th percentile among qualified pitchers this season.

David Peterson has impressed this season despite gaps in his game. He struggles with walks, as he walks 10.6 percent of opponents. Peterson has walked three or more batters in four of his five last starts. However, he makes up for it with his elite 90th percentile 52.6 percent ground ball rate. He will have to work on his control issues if he wants to make an impact in the postseason.

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Thursday, August 15, 2024: RHP Joey Estes (5-4, 4.70 ERA) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (6-8, 4.10 ERA)

Joey Estes throws his four-seamer over half the time with several secondary offerings. He only strikes out 18.3 percent of batters and has a 20th percentile 9.4 percent barrel rate. Further, Estes has the worst ground ball rate in the league at 23.5 percent. Despite these poor numbers, Estes has been better recently, allowing two or fewer earned runs in his last five starts.

Jose Quintana struggled in his last outing, allowing five earned runs over 6 2/3 innings. However, he has been effective since the beginning of July, posting a 3.19 ERA across seven starts. He has walked 9.8 percent of batters in that span, highlighting an issue that has plagued him this season.

Players to Watch

Jeff McNeil (NYM)

Jeff McNeil was one of the lone bright spots amid a poor offensive series for the Mets, going 3-for-10 with a home run against the Mariners. He is also batting .299/.346/.588 in his last 30 games, marking a major turnaround from his early season woes. The Mets will need more than just McNeil’s production if they want to make this homestand count.

Brent Rooker (OAK)

Brent Rooker had a solid series over the weekend, going 4-for-9 with a home run against the Blue Jays. This is part of a larger trend where Rooker is batting .336/.409/.718 with 12 home runs in his last 30 games. Rooker has established himself as one of the best hitters across the league this year, eclipsing the 90th percentile in xwOBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate. The Mets may be wise to take a cautious approach against Rooker.

The post Series Preview: Mets Begin Homestand Against Athletics appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Alonso was 5-for-26 with a home run and a 147 wRC+ in August leading into the game.

He quickly added another home run, this one of the two-run variety, to that total in the first inning against left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber. This moonshot traveled 471 feet at 111.6 mph, contributing to a first-inning onslaught against the Rockies.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

This distance was undoubtedly impressive, even for a renowned slugger like Alonso. In fact, it is the second-longest home run of his career, only trailing his 489-foot shot from July of 2019.

“I didn’t really know how far it was going to go, and I’m like ‘oh wow,'” Alonso said. “That’s definitely one of my best bolts.”

Alonso tried to one-up this towering blast in the third inning, when he crushed a 454-foot solo home run with a 110.6 mph exit velocity. Both of his long balls would have been home runs in all 30 MLB parks, showcasing the incredible power Alonso provides.

Manager Carlos Mendoza commended Alonso for his performance, and emphasized his importance to the team’s success.

“He can carry a team quite a bit too,” Mendoza said. “The two balls that he hit – he hit pretty far. And that’s who he is.”

Alonso would go on to collect a fifth-inning single to contribute to a 3-for-5 performance that headlined a 9-1 Mets win. He is now batting .246/.331/.476 with 25 home runs for the season.

Despite his individual accolades, he maintained a team-first approach in his postgame comments.

“Ultimately, I just want to help the team win,” Alonso stated. “Hopefully I can continue to do that and I just want to be the best I can every single day.”

These comments directly contrast from his controversial words earlier this week, where he placed more of the focus on his individual performance.

“I’m on pace for close to 40 homers, I was an All-Star this year, to beat myself up or be frustrated – it’s really no use,” Alonso said. “I’m really excited for the end of the year where we get to play winning baseball. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished this year so far.”

While he did mention the “winning baseball” that the Mets were in position to play, he conveyed a feeling of contentment regarding his own performance that did not sit well with some members of the Mets community. However, it is encouraging to see the shift in his approach in his latest comments.

Alonso is not only facing pressure from New York fans that expect a contending team, but he is also grappling with his impending free agency. That being said, it is in his best interest for the Mets to contend this year, as it will only improve his perceived value among potential suitors this offseason.

The post Alonso’s Pair of Moonshots Fuels Mets appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

As of now, the Mets now trail the Braves, Padres, and Diamondbacks, who are all tied for three Wild Card spots, by 1.5 games. As a result, every game must be approached with urgency, as there are a number of other teams in the running for these spots.

That being said, let’s preview the pitching matchups for this week!

Photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday, August 6, 2024: RHP Luis Severino (7-4, 3.93 ERA) vs. LHP Kyle Freeland (3-4, 5.64 ERA)

Luis Severino struggled in his recent start, allowing six runs over three innings. He clearly was not on his game that day, so the hope is that he will turn it around against a weaker Rockies lineup. He used his fastball 42 percent of the time in that outing, and only generated one whiff on 14 swings. Severino is in the 89th percentile for fastball run value on Baseball Savant, so there is potential for that pitch to be effective.

Kyle Freeland has been very ineffective this year, measuring poorly in a number of metrics. He has a 1.51 WHIP, but that is mainly from allowing so many hits, as he walks only 5.8 percent of opposing batters. His average opposing exit velocity is 91.1 miles per hour, placing him in just the third percentile of that category. Furthermore, his 19.1 percent whiff rate places him in the eighth percentile among qualified pitchers. The hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field should help the Mets take advantage of this favorable matchup.

Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday, August 7, 2024: RHP Paul Blackburn (5-2, 4.11 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Feltner (1-10, 4.97 ERA)

Paul Blackburn excelled in his Mets debut, striking out six over six innings. Like Manaea, he altered his pitch mix in this outing by decreasing the usage of his ineffective four seamer. Instead, he used his cutter and changeup as his primary pitches, which yielded favorable results for the right-handed pitcher. In fact, he generated six whiffs out of 13 swings against his changeup. He looks to build upon this solid outing on Wednesday.

Ryan Feltner offers a five-pitch mix headlined by a four seamer and slider. His best pitch is his curveball, which has a .167 opposing batting average and 29.7 percent whiff rate. His other pitches are not strong, contributing to his seventh percentile pitching run value. Also, he does not profile as a strikeout pitcher, with just a 20.1 percent strikeout rate. Feltner is another pitcher that the Mets should have an advantage against this week, especially for beating him up for four runs over 3.2 innings in July.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday, August 8, 2024: LHP David Peterson (5-1, 3.47 ERA) vs. LHP Austin Gomber (3-7, 4.66 ERA)

David Peterson has quietly been very effective this season. He has a 55 percent ground ball rate, which makes up for his underwhelming strikeout numbers. The one flaw in his game this season has been his 10.4 percent walk rate, an issue that plagues several Mets pitchers. Peterson was strong in his last outing, allowing two runs over six innings with four strikeouts.

Austin Gomber offers a four-pitch mix including a four seamer, knuckle curve, changeup, and slider. He does not rely on strikeouts, but demonstrates a strong command of the strike zone with a 5.8 percent walk rate. However, Gomber has struggled in limiting barrels with a 10.4 percent opposing barrel rate. Opponents have specifically succeeded against his four seamer, which has an opposing .620 slugging percentage.

Players to Watch

Jeff McNeil (NYM)

Jeff McNeil has turned his season around, adding another home run to his ledger against St. Louis on Monday. He now has five homers and six doubles 364/.393/.745/1.138 slash line since the All-Star break (61 plate appearances). McNeil hit two doubles in three games against the Rockies in their early July series. Since McNeil measures very well in whiff rate and strikeout rate, he should have the advantage with his swing-heavy approach against the weaker Rockies pitchers in a big Coors Field.

Ezequiel Tovar (COL)

Ezequiel Tovar is batting .318/.319/.545 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in his last 15 games. In addition to his recent hot streak, he was a thorn in the Mets side during their early July series. He went 7-for-13 with three doubles and two home runs in three games. Brenton Doyle for the Rockies also had an insanely hot July, earning him NL Player of the Month honors.

The post Series Preview: Mets Look to Rout Rockies appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Entering Monday, the Mets hold the third Wild Card spot, albeit with little breathing room. There are six other teams within five games of that spot, including two within just one game. The Mets must treat each game with urgency as they prepare for a tight race in the last stretch of the season.

They play the Twins, who are in the midst of a tight Wild Card race themselves. They just won their series against the Tigers, and hold the second Wild Card spot by a tight two-game margin.

Let’s preview the pitching matchups for this series!

Jul 14, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Monday, July 29, 2024: RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (3-1, 3.27 ERA) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (5-6, 4.02 ERA)

Former Mets prospect Simeon Woods Richardson offers a four-pitch mix which includes a four-seamer, slider, changeup, and curveball. He does not profile as a strikeout pitcher but has found success through his low 6.9 percent walk rate and above-average 37.1 percent hard-hit rate. His rookie season has gone very well by most standards, and there could be additional motivation for him on Monday as he faces the team that drafted and traded him.

Jose Quintana turned in a solid outing against the Yankees, with five innings and six strikeouts. However, he struggled to limit walks, a recurring issue for him this season. He has a below-average 8.5 percent walk rate with his subpar whiff and strikeout rate. This means that allowing walks can be especially concerning for Quintana, as he usually does not follow them up with strikeouts.

Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday, July 30, 2024: RHP David Festa (1-1, 8.16 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (6-4, 3.74 ERA)

David Festa (not to be confused with former Mets pitcher Matt Festa) is on his second stint with the big league club due to injuries across the pitching staff. He struggled mightily in his first stint with a 10.80 ERA in 10 innings. However, he seemed to turn a corner in his appearance against the Phillies several days ago, striking out seven in 4 1/2 innings. He features a four-seamer, slider and changeup, with the potential to make him a strikeout pitcher at this level. He struck out 89 batters in 60 1/3 innings in Triple-A this year, and his recent outing could be a sign of good things for the rookie.

Sean Manaea has a 2.98 ERA across eight starts since June 14. However, walks continue to plague him in some of these outings. He has a 10.1 percent walk rate on the season, and this issue has created a tendency for him to exit games early due to his pitch count rising quickly. That said, he is at his best when he is inducing ground balls and locating his several pitches.

Jun 30, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday, July 31, 2024: RHP Pablo López (9-7, 4.73 ERA) vs. RHP Luis Severino (7-3, 3.58 ERA)

Pablo López offers a five-pitch mix, headlined by his four-seamer and sweeper. These are his best pitches, with opposing batting averages of .185 and .221 respectively. Despite his high ERA, he profiles well in strikeout and walk rate. He has an 82nd percentile 27.7 percent strikeout rate and 89th percentile 5.1 percent walk rate. He is trending upward heading into Wednesday, having pitched seven innings in his last two starts with 14 total strikeouts and three runs allowed.

Luis Severino has picked up right where he left off after the break, only allowing two runs across 11 innings in his two outings. He enters Wednesday with the best ERA among qualified Mets starting pitchers, showcasing his strong comeback effort from his past woes. He has also provided longevity for the Mets, as he will be starting his 21st game Wednesday. With the recent injuries to Kodai Senga and Christian Scott, the Mets need Severino’s skill set more than ever going into the Wild Card race.

Players to Watch

Pete Alonso (NYM)

Pete Alonso has been hitting better lately, batting .320/.433/.680 in his last seven games. He is coming off a multi-hit game against the Braves on Sunday, with one of those hits being a home run. While he has not been his usual self this season, now seems like the perfect time for him to turn on the switch. The front office conveyed a belief in the team with their recent trade acquisitions, which should contribute to the overall morale of the clubhouse, including Alonso.

Byron Buxton (MIN)

In his last 15 games, Byron Buxton is batting .327/.373/.673 with 18 hits and four home runs. He has often battled injuries in his career, so it is impressive to see what he can do when healthy for an extended stretch. He has been adept at achieving hard contact this season, with a hard-hit rate of 47.7 percent. He pairs this with his 97th percentile 29.6 ft/sec, causing him to wreak havoc on the basepaths. The Mets will certainly have their hands full with Buxton’s dynamic skill set this week.

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