Tuesday, August 20, 2024 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Dean Kremer (5-9, 4.48) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (6-8, 4.26)
SNY

Francisco Alvarez a huge home run Monday night, walking off the Orioles in the first game of the series. Rather than starting this article about how the Mets are trying to snap a two-game losing streak, thanks to Alvarez we can talk about how the Mets have won three of their last four games. If the Mets win today, they will win their second consecutive series.

The Braves had the night off on Monday and start a series with the Phillies tonight. The Mets are currently 1.5 games back of them for the third Wild Card spot.

Jose Quintana. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Mets Lineup

  1. Francisco Lindor – SS
  2. Mark Vientos – 3B
  3. Brandon Nimmo – LF
  4. J.D. Martinez – DH
  5. Pete Alonso – 1B
  6. Jesse Winker – RF
  7. Francisco Alvarez – C
  8. Jeff McNeil – 2B
  9. Tyrone Taylor – CF

Jose Quintana has pitched 129 innings over 24 games with a 4.26 ERA, 5.00 FIP, 1.295 WHIP and a 92 ERA+. Quintana is having a rough August, allowing 12 runs from 14 hits and 10 walks over 15 2/3 innings (6.89 ERA, 5.65 FIP). Opponents are getting on base at a .375 clip. In July, Quintana had a 2.05 ERA (4.92 FIP) over five starts and opponents were getting on base at a more reasonable .265 clip.

The Orioles have the following career numbers against Quintana:

Opposing Lineup

  1. Austin Slater – LF
  2. Ryan Mountcastle – 1B
  3. Gunnar Henderson – SS
  4. Anthony Santander – RF
  5. Eloy Jimenez – DH
  6. Colton Cowser – CF
  7. Ramon Urias – 3B
  8. James McCann – C
  9. Jackson Holliday – 2B

Dean Kremer has pitched 90 1/3 innings over 17 starts with a 4.48 ERA, 4.79 FIP, 1.284 WHIP and an 85 ERA+. Kremer is coming off of a good start where he held the Nationals to one run over six innings. In his four starts before that, he had a 5.66 ERA (4.37 FIP) allowing 16 runs, 13 earned over 20 2/3 innings. Similar to Quintana, he’s been struggling with runners on base. During a recent tough stretch, he allowed 22 hits and walked 11 batters, leading opponent hitters to have a .340 OBP.

Mets batters have the following career numbers against Kremer:

  • Pete Alonso 0-2
  • Francisco Alvarez 0-2, BB
  • Harrison Bader 2-2
  • Francisco Lindor 2-3, 2B
  • Starling Marte 0-2, K
  • J.D. Martinez 3-10, 3 2B, 2 BB, K
  • Jeff McNeil 0-2
  • Brandon Nimmo 0-1, 2 BB
  • Luis Torrens 0-2, K
  • Mark Vientos 0-2, 2 K
  • Jesse Winker 0-3, K

Game Notes

Kyle Crick is starting a rehab assignment tonight. The team signed him to a minor-league deal but has been on the 60-day injured list since the end of spring training.

Dedniel Núñez makes a rehab appearance tonight and could rejoin the team if all goes well.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Please let J.D. Martinez get hot. Francisco Alvarez was the hero Monday night, but J.D. Martinez got things started for the Mets by hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. That was his first home run since August 3. Since the All-Star break, J.D. Martinez has only hit three home runs (compared to nine before the break).
  2. Strikeouts. For a second straight game Monday night, strikeouts were a problem for the Mets. Monday the Mets struck out 14 times, making 26 Ks in their last two games. Four players on Monday night struck out two times or more. The Mets are facing a starting pitcher who struggles with hits and walks, their strikeout numbers should be a bellwether on how the night is going.
  3. 30-30 loading? Francisco Lindor stole his 25th base of the season last night. He has 24 home runs on the season. He’s still on track for a 30-30 season. This isn’t news, I just want to celebrate this more.

Let’s go Mets!