Friday, April 5, 2024 • 6:40 PM
Great American Ballpark • Cincinnati, OH
LHP José Quintana (0-1, 3.86) vs. RHP Hunter Greene (0-0, 3.86)
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The Mets are heading to Ohio with a victory in the books!

Things looked pretty bleak late yesterday afternoon. The Mets had already lost the first game of their doubleheader with the Detroit Tigers 6-3 after leading most of the game and then self-destructing in the 11th inning. It was the bottom of the ninth in the second game and the Mets were down 1-0. with just one hit to their name. Then Pete Alonso happened. He reached way out of the zone and knocked a solo shot out of the park, knotting things up while recording his the 500th RBI of his career. A couple of batters later, Tyrone Taylor came through with the first walk-off hit of his career as the Mets won their first contest of the year. They finally won!

Now, the Mets start a grueling stretch that first has them on the road in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. Do the Mets play more loose tonight with a win under their belt? Do the bats get going? How many times will the Mets broadcast booth talk about skyrosas?

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Mets Lineup

  1. Francisco Lindor SS
  2. Pete Alonso 1B
  3. Francisco Álvarez C
  4. Brett Baty 3B
  5. Starling Marte RF
  6. Tyrone Taylor LF
  7. Jeff McNeil 2B
  8. Harrison Bader CF
  9. DJ Stewart DH

José Quintana will make his second start of the season, a full week after his first start on Opening Day. His last time out against the Milwaukee Brewers, he allowed two runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings with four strikeouts. He faced the Reds in September last season, allowing only two runs on eight hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings while striking out two batters. He’s also pitched well over his career at Great American Ballpark, owning a 2.93 ERA over 30 2/3 innings of work there. Cincinnati has the following career numbers against him:

Opposing Lineup

  1. Jonathan India 2B
  2. Spencer Steer LF
  3. Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B
  4. Jeimer Candelario DH
  5. Stuart Fairchild CF
  6. Elly De La Cruz SS
  7. Santiago Espinal 3B
  8. Will Benson RF
  9. Luke Maile C

The Mets’ bats will look to continue their ninth inning magic from yesterday against the flame-thrower of the Reds staff, Hunter Greene. Over 112 innings and 22 starts last season, Greene had a 4.82 ERA, 4.25 FIP, 1.420 WHIP and a 95 ERA+. In his first start this season, he allowed two runs on five hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings while striking out seven batters against the Nationals. When it comes to Greene, patience is key. He generates a ton of strikeouts (12.5 K/9 last season) but also walks a lot of batters (3.9 BB/9) and is susceptible to the home run (1.5 HR/9).

In two starts against the Mets last season, he allowed a combined five runs on 10 hits over 11 innings. He struck out 10 batters across both games while walking five and allowing two home runs – basically representative of his 2023 season numbers. New York has the following career numbers against him:

  • Pete Alonso 2-6, 2 HR, 3 BB, K
  • Francisco Álvarez 0-1, BB
  • Harrison Bader 1-5, HR
  • Brett Baty 0-2
  • Francisco Lindor 1-8, HR, 2 K
  • Starling Marte 0-6, K
  • Jeff McNeil 4-8, 2B, 2 K
  • Omar Narváez 0-8, 6 K
  • Brandon Nimmo 5-9, HR, 2 K
  • DJ Stewart 1-3, K
  • Tyrone Taylor 2-9, HR, 4 K
  • Joey Wendle 2-7, K

Game Notes

Newly signed Julio Teheran was officially added to the Mets’ 26-man roster today and is available out of the bullpen tonight if needed. He will make his first start on Monday against the Atlanta Braves, his former club, and is set to throw 70 to 75 pitches in that outing.

In a corresponding move, the Mets designated Michael Tonkin for assignment after he allowed a total of eight runs over four innings with the club. Among other roster notes, manager Carlos Mendoza announced that Brandon Nimmo will sit tonight with a tight right hamstring while J.D. Martinez will see his first game action of the season with Low-A St. Lucie.

The Mets have a discrepancy of -.045 between their wOBA and xwOBA thus far, representing the largest gap in the league, meaning that the results should swing back in their favor relatively soon.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Julio Teheran and the bullpen. After every member of the Mets’ bullpen besides Yohan Ramírez appeared during yesterday’s doubleheader, Mendoza may have to get creative with his bullpen usage. Reed Garrett is likely the only arm off limits after throwing three scoreless innings in the latter of the two contests, especially considering the team had two days off prior to yesterday after a pair of postponements. However, Teheran’s availability could still come in handy as the relievers continue to settle into a routine and a rhythm in the early stages of the season, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make his debut against the Reds on Friday if Quintana can’t work deep into the game.
  2. Francisco Álvarez has not been the problem. The Mets’ lineup has been cold, but Álvarez has been the exact opposite. He’s opened up the season going 8-for-20 at the plate with three doubles and a homer, which translates into a 1.129 OPS. Hopefully the veterans start hitting around him so the Mets can start to take Álvarez’s hot start and turn it into victories.
  3. The Díaz Brothers united! Alexis Díaz has had a tremendous first two seasons with the Reds. In his rookie year, he posted a 1.84 ERA and a 237 ERA+ over 63 2/3 innings. Last year, he was named an All-Star and had both a 3.07 ERA and a 149 ERA+ over 67 1/3 innings. It’s always special to see players on the field with their family members, and it’s even more special when both are two of the best at what they do.

Let’s go Mets!