Tuesday, June 9, 2026 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Dustin May (3-6, 4.59) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (4-4, 3.63)
SNY

Do you find yourself struggling to stay awake for late night sporting events? Rejoice! The Mets return to the East Coast tonight after their final West Coast road trip for the season. If you live in the eastern time zone, first pitch for the rest of the season happens at a reasonable time!

The Mets are coming off of a series win in San Diego where Carson Benge had a historic day going 5-for-5 in the leadoff spot. The Mets are still in last place in the NL East, but they have won seven of their last 10 and are only five games out of the last Wild Card spot. They’ll play a Cardinals team tonight who have won four games in a row and are two games above the last wild card spot. Now is the time for the Mets to collapse the playoff race!

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

  1. Carson Benge – RF
  2. Bo Bichette – SS
  3. Juan Soto – LF
  4. Jared Young – 1B
  5. A.J Ewing – CF
  6. Marcus Semien – 2B
  7. Brett Baty – 3B
  8. MJ Melendez – DH
  9. Francisco Alvarez – C

Starting Pitcher: Freddy Peralta

Freddy Peralta has made 13 starts this season totaling 72 innings with a 3.63 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 1.319 WHIP and a 112 ERA+. He ended May allowing eight runs over 11 2/3 innings from 16 hits and three walks. He’s coming off of a strong start in Seattle where he held the Mariners to one run over six innings while striking out six. He held the Cardinals to one run over 5 1/3 innings earlier this season in a game the Mets eventually lost 2-1 in extra-innings.

The Cardinals have the following career stats against Peralta:

  • Alec Burleson 4-21, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Nolan Gorman 3-12, 2B, 4 BB, 2 K
  • Ivan Herrera 4-8, BB, 2 K
  • Lars Nootbaar 4-19, 3 BB, 8 K
  • Pedro Pagés 2=6, 2 HR, 3 K
  • Jordan Walker 2-9, 3 K
  • JJ Wetherholt 1-3, 2 K
  • Masyn Winn 3-17, BB, 3 K

Opposing Lineup

  1. JJ Wetherholt – 2B
  2. Iván Herrera – DH
  3. Alec Burleson – 1B
  4. Jordan Walker – RF
  5. Lars Nootbaar – LF
  6. Masyn Winn – SS
  7. Jimmy Crooks – C
  8. Nolan Gorman – 3B
  9. Nathan Church – CF

Dustin May has made 12 starts this season, totaling 66 2/3 innings with a 4.59 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.290 WHIP and an 88 ERA+. May went on a tear in mid-April, putting up a 1.93 ERA, 3.02 FIP over 23 1/3 innings (four starts). Since then, he has a 4.00 ERA, 2.97 FIP over 36 innings (six starts).

He missed the Mets in early April and the Mets have the following career stats against him:

  • Brett Baty 2-5, K
  • Marcus Semien 0-3
  • Juan Soto 2-11, 2 2B, 4 BB, 2 K
  • Luis Torrens 0-2
  • Eric Wagaman 1-2, BB
  • Jared Young 0-3, 2 K

Game Notes

Francisco Alvarez is back! Just four weeks after meniscus surgery, Alvarez is starting at catcher and batting ninth.

Kodai Senga, unfortunately, was shut down from his rehab assignment with an ulnar nerve issue. His time with the Mets may be coming to a close.

Jorge Polanco will not be shut down due to Achilles bursitis and will DH on rehab within the next couple of days.

The Cardinals activated outfielder Nathan Church from the injured list and optioned Victor Scott II to the minors.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Carson Benge. Benge had a career day on Sunday, going 5-for-5 with a home run, a triple and three runs scored. He’s now hitting .265/.325/.408 on the season with a 107 OPS+. Since April 23, Benge has played in 41 games, slashing .318/.371/.497. He’s become a fantastic table setter for the Mets and has the ability to set the tone for the night!
  2. A.J. Ewing. Ewing was not on the Mets yet when the Mets went to St. Louis earlier this season. Over 25 games, Ewing already has a 0.8 bWAR, which is just 0.1 behind Carson Benge. He’s slashing .259/.340/.329 with a 92 OPS+. His 11 walks already have him tied for 7th on the team. His seven steals rank second on the Mets. Ewing currently has a five-game hitting streak. The only knock on his game recently has been strikeouts. He has struck out at least once in seven games in a row, totaling 10 K’s.
  3. JJ Wetherholt. The Mets aren’t the only team being led by exciting rookies. JJ Wetherholt has been a revelation. He’s slashing .246/.358/.395 with a 116 OPS+ and a 2.7 bWAR. He has stolen seven bases this season without being caught at all and has drawn 31 walks. Baseball Savant has him in the 97th percentile for baserunning value and 99th percentile for fielding run value. This is going to be a series with rookies driving the narrative!

Let’s go Mets!