Saturday, May 3, 2026 • 4:07 PM
Angel Stadium • Anaheim, CA
RHP Clay Holmes (3-2, 1.75) vs. RHP Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.09)
SNY
Things continue to trend downward for the New York Mets. The Mets were down most of Saturday night and tried to stage a late comeback, but ultimately failed in extra innings against the Angels. Additionally, Ronny Mauricio fractured his thumb sliding into first base leaving the New York without a shortstop again.
The Mets can still win the series with a win this afternoon but the team is hurting. Saturday, they had to start a lineup with Austin Slader and Andy Ibáñez. The Mets are starting to run out of healthy options.
Mets Lineup
- Bo Bichette – 3B
- Juan Soto – DH
- MJ Melendez – LF
- Brett Baty – 3B
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- Carson Benge – RF
- Mark Vientos – 1B
- Tyrone Taylor – CF
- Luis Torrens
Starting Pitcher: Clay Holmes
The Mets are going to need another stellar performance from Clay Holmes this afternoon. Over six starts Holmes has pitched 36 innings with a 1.75 ERA (league-leading), 3.84 FIP, 0.972 WHIP, and a 230 ERA+ (league-leading). He is coming off of a start where he held the Nationals scoreless over six innings, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out six.
The Angels have the following career numbers against him:
- Travis d’Arnaud 0-1
- Adam Frazier 0-6, K
- Josh Loew 0-5, BB, 2 K
- Yoan Moncada 0-1, BB
- Zach Neto 0-2, K
- Nolan Schanuel 0-1, K
- Jorge Soler 1-2, 2B, K
- Brent Suter 0-2, K
- Mike Trout 0-3, BB, K
Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Angels Lineup
- Zach Neto – SS
- Mike Trout – CF
- Nolan Schanuel – 1B
- Jorge Soler – RF
- Jo Adell – DH
- Josh Lowe – LF
- Vaughn Grissom – 2B
- Oswaldo Peraza – #b
- Sebastian Rivero – C
Jack Kochanowicz if off to a great start for the Angels this season. Over 35 innings (six starts). he has a 3.09 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 1.200 WHIP, and a 140 ERA+. He’s coming off of an average start where he allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings in a game the Angels eventually lost.
The only members of the Mets who have seen Kochanowicz in a major-league game are Bo Bichette (1-for-3) and Marcus Semien (6-for-13, 2 BB).
Game Notes
Prior to the game, the Mets announced they selected infielder Vidal Bruján to the major-league roster. Additionally, they designed infielder Eric Wagaman for assignment.
The above moves were necessary as infielder Ronny Mauricio fractured his thumb last night sliding into first base. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that news late Saturday night.
Three Things To Watch For
- Marcus Semien. For a second-straight game, Marcus Semien has excellent career numbers against the opponent’s starting pitcher. Semien went 1-for-4 with a run scored Saturday. With the way he has been hitting this season (.562 OPS, 60 OPS+), any hits recorded are a positive development. As the Mets lineup gets weaker and weaker by injury, they need Marcus Semien to step up.
- Short. The Mets have a giant question mark at shortstop now. A potential lineup the Mets can go with, as they are Sunday, is Brett Baty at third, Mark Vientos at first, and Bo Bichette at shortstop. For the foreseeable future it is likely fans are going to see a lot of Bichette and Vidal Bruján. Bruján played 24 games in Syracuse (Triple-A) this season and is slashing .241/.304/.313 with three doubles and a home run. He also has five stolen bases.
- Hope you like grounders. The Mets defensive alignment Sunday is incredibly important with Holmes on the mound. Hitters are hitting grounders 58.1% of the time against Holmes, which is in the 94th percentile. This is slightly higher than last year were he had a 55.9% rate.
