Sunday, April 28, 2024 • 1:40 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Lance Lynn (1-0, 2.81) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (1-2, 4.21)
SNY

For a second straight series the New York Mets find themselves trying avoid the sweep. On Friday night, the Mets dropped the game 4-2, falling early and couldn’t claw back. On Saturday afternoon, the Mets fell early again, had one massive inning to bring them within two, and but couldn’t complete the comeback.

The Mets now find themselves back at .500, can they get back on the right track today?

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo, LF
  2. Francisco Lindor, SS
  3. Pete Alonso, 1B
  4. DJ Stewart, DH
  5. Tyrone Taylor, RF
  6. Jeff McNeil, 2B
  7. Harrison Bader, CF
  8. Brett Baty, 3B
  9. Tomás Nido, C

Jose Quintana has pitched 25 2/3 innings over five starts this season with a 4.21 ERA, 4.76 FIP, 1.597 WHIP, and a 94 ERA+. His numbers are inflated by his last start in San Francisco where he allowed five runs from seven hits and three walks over five innings.

Another interesting quirk this season for Quintana; he has struck out exactly four batters in each of his five starts this season.

Quintana’s former team has the following career numbers against him:

Jose Quintana. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals Lineup

  1. Brendan Donovan, LF
  2. Willson Contreras, DH
  3. Nolan Arenado, 3B
  4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
  5. Ivan Herrera, C
  6. Lars Nootbaar, RF
  7. Masyn Winn, SS
  8. Nolan Gorman, 2B
  9. Michael Siani, CF

The Mets’ bats will get a look at the ageless Lance Lynn who is about two weeks away from his 37th birthday. Over five starts (25 2/3 innings) this season, he has a 2.81 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.364 WHIP, and a 149 ERA+. This is a pretty far departure from his 183 2/3 innings last season where he had a 5.73 ERA, 5.53 FIP, 1.394 WHIP and a 77 ERA+.

The Mets have the following career numbers against Lynn:

Game Notes

Prior to Sunday’s game, the Mets announced they’ve optioned left-handed reliever Josh Walker to Syracuse (Triple-A) and have recalled left-handed reliever Danny Young. Young has allowed only one run and three hits to go along with 12 strikeouts over eight innings of relief work for Syracuse (Triple-A).

Tylor Megill madę a rehab start for High-A Brooklyn last night. He was perfect in two innings, striking out the side in each.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirms that Kodai Senga will face hitters from High-A Brooklyn tomorrow as he takes his next step in rehabilitation.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Brandon Nimmo is getting on base in bunches. Nimmo went 2-for-4 at the plate Saturday, marking his second-consecutive game with two hits. It’s also his third-consecutive game where he got on base twice (4-for-11, 2B, 3 BB, .500 OBP). He has now reached base safely at least once in nine straight games (.439 OBP).
  2. Mets depth players getting the job done. In Saturday’s game DJ Stewart went 1-for-2 at the plate, working two walks raising his OPS to .827 on the season. Tyrone Taylor went 1-for-4 at the plate and scored a run. He’s slashing .321/.351/.491 so far. Teams win because of the players behind their regular starters and it feels like a while since the Mets have had solid, consistent play from role players.
  3. The Mets need a quality start. The Mets are in a six-way tie for the least amount of quality starts by a starting pitching this year in the majors (five). The league average is nine quality starts per team. For comparison, the Phillies are leading the league with 18 so far.