Tuesday, August 13, 2024 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Joe Boyle (2-5, 7.16) vs. RHP Paul Blackburn (5-2, 3.86)
SNY

The Mets look to snap their three-game losing streak as they welcome the Oakland Athletics to Citi Field tonight. The Mets are coming off an intense road trip that saw them play in Anaheim, St. Louis, Denver and Seattle with no days off. They got a much-needed physical and mental break on Monday and now head into this series fresh.

The Mets are one full game behind the Braves for the last Wild Card spot. The Diamondbacks and Padres are each five games ahead of the Mets. This is a huge two weeks for the Mets with a homestand followed by a west coast trip to San Diego and Arizona.

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Mets Lineup

  1. Francisco Lindor, SS
  2. Brandon Nimmo, LF
  3. Jesse Winker, RF
  4. Pete Alonso, 1B
  5. J.D. Martinez, DH
  6. Jeff McNeil, 2B
  7. Jose Iglesias, 3B
  8. Francisco Alvarez, C
  9. Harrison Bader, CF

Paul Blackburn has been solid for the Mets since coming over from Oakland. Over his first two starts, he has allowed three runs, two earned, over 12 innings, scattering 11 hits while striking out 12 (small sample size 1.50 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.250 WHIP and a 271 ERA+). Overall, he has a 3.86 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 1.175 WHIP and a 105 ERA+ for 2024. Blackburn made his Major League debut with the Athletics and only played with the Athletics until the Mets traded for him, so this will be his first time facing his original team. Abraham Toro is the only member of the Athletics roster to face him in a Major League game(3-for-7, 3B, K).

Opposing Lineup

  1. Lawrence Butler, RF
  2. Brent Rooker, DH
  3. JJ Bleday, CF
  4. Miguel Andujar, LF
  5. Shea Langeliers, C
  6. Seth Brown, 1B
  7. Zack Gelof, 2B
  8. Darell Hernaiz, 3B
  9. Max Schuemann, SS

Joe Boyle will get the start for the Athletics this evening. Over seven starts, he has tossed 27 2/3 innings with a 7.16 ERA, 5.09 FIP, 1.735 WHIP and a 57 ERA+. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 5, when he allowed four runs on a hit and three walks in one inning. In Las Vegas this season, he has a 5.63 ERA over 38 1/3 innings (12 games, 11 starts).

Game Notes

  • Starling Marte continues to progress in his rehab assignment, going the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. The RF has been out since late June with a right bone bruise injury and could be available sometime during this homestand.
  • Manager Carlos Mendoza noted Mark Vientos, who has been dealing with a sore ankle, should be available off the bench today and in the lineup Wednesday.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Runners In Scoring Position. The Mets hitting with RISP is the key metric to see if the team can break out of their collective funk. On Sunday night, they collectively went 0-for-8 with RISP, an improvement from Saturday, where they didn’t even get a runner in scoring position. All it takes is one good rally, and the albatross will evaporate.
  2. Francisco Lindor. Lindor is carrying the club right now. He had his second consecutive two-hit game on Sunday, hitting his 29th double of the season. Since August 3, he has gone 13-for-39 at the plate with two doubles, slashing .333/.366/.385. He’s only scored four times, a sign of the lack of offense within the club right now.
  3. Pete Alonso. The start of the Mets’ road trip looked pretty good for Alonso, who went 8-for-25 with three homers and five walks (.320/.452/.680). The only alarm bell was 11 strikeouts. Alonso had a series to forget in Seattle, going 0-for-11 with a walk and six strikeouts. Let’s hope vintage Pete comes back at Citi Field!

Let’s go Mets!