Sunday, June 2, 2024 • 1:40 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Brandon Pfaadt (2-4, 4.16) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (1-5, 5.06)
WPIX

For a second day in a row the Mets will attempt to win a series. The Mets took the first two games of the series, but dropped Saturday’s game. A loss today will put the Mets right back where they were before Thursday’s game. A win today is the first step in the “just win two of every three games,” mantra that made the 2022 team so good.

Mets Lineup

  1. Francisco Lindor, SS
  2. Pete Alonso, 1B
  3. Brandon Nimmo, LF
  4. J.D. Martinez, DH
  5. DJ Stewart, RF
  6. Mark Vientos, 3B
  7. Tyrone Taylor, CF
  8. Jeff McNeil, 2B
  9. Luis Torrens, C

Jose Quintana looks to give the Mets what they need most right now; a solid start from a starting pitcher. Over 11 starts (58 2/3 innings), Quintana has a 5.06 ERA, 4.83 FIP, 1.364 WHIP, and a 75 ERA+. Over his last three starts, he has pitched 17 1/3 innings with a 4.15 ERA, 4.47 FIP. It’s not great, but his results are getting more consistent.

A massive warning sign did pop up in the month of May though. From March 29 through April 28, Quintana allowed only three home runs over six starts. In his five starts in May, he has allowed six homers.

Quintana faced the Diamondbacks last season in September holding them two runs over five innings. The Diamondbacks have the following career numbers against him:

  • Tucker Barnhart 3-8, 2 BB, 3 K
  • Corbin Carroll 0-3, K
  • Randal Grichuk 4-16, 2 2B, HR, 5 K
  • Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 0-1, BB
  • Ketel Marte 4-11, 2B, 2 K
  • Jake McCarthy 1-1, BB
  • Kevin Newman 10-21, 3 K
  • Eugenio Suarez 8-25, 2B, HR, 6 BB, 5 K
  • Christian Walker 2-7

Jose Quintana. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Diamondbacks Lineup

  1. Ketel Marte, 2B
  2. Corbin Carroll, CF
  3. Lourdes Gurriel, LF
  4. Christian Walker, 1B
  5. Randal Grichuk, RF
  6. Eugenio Suarez, DH
  7. Blaze Alexander, 3B
  8. Kevin Newman, SS
  9. Tucker Barnhart, C

The Mets’ bats will get a look at Brandon Pfaadt this afternoon. Over 11 starts (67 innings), Pfaadt has a 4.16 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 1.075 WHIP, and an 96 ERA+. Pfaadt’s season started off rough allowing 11 runs over a two game span but since then he’s allowed three earned runs or less in each start. The only exception is his last start where he allowed four runs over seven innings.

Only two Mets have seen Pfaadt in a major-league game. J.D. Martinez is 0-for-2 with a strikeout and Tyrone Taylor has a homer in his only plate appearance against Pfaadt.

Game Notes

Prior to Sunday’s game the New York Mets announced that they’ve activated right-handed reliever Drew Smith off the injured list. Left-handed reliever Josh Walker has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. The Mark Vientos show. On Friday, Vientos went 3-for-5 at the plate. Saturday, Vientos went 2-for-4 with a homer. Since returning to the major leagues he has slashed .326/.380/.609. Does Vientos continue to seize the opportunity to be the Mets everyday third basemen?
  2. Does Alonso make it four-straight games with an extra-base hit? Alonso has hit in three consecutive games with going 4-for-10. All four hits have been for extra bases, hitting three doubles and a home run. While his season slugging is still the lowest it has been in his career (.477 compared to a career .524 mark), it’s starting to creep up in the right direction. Over his last 13 games, he has had a .563 slugging percentage raising his season mark by about 20 points in the same stretch.
  3. Stolen bases. The Diamondbacks love to steal bases. The Mets have been pretty terrible at holding runners on this year. Neither of these statements are Earth-shattering facts. Saturday the Diamondbacks stole four bases against the Mets. Will they be as aggressive today?