Thursday, May 16, 2019 • 1:05 p.m.
Nationals Park • Washington, D.C.
RHP Zack Wheeler (3-2, 4.35) vs. RHP Aníbal Sánchez (0-6, 5.27)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050 AM
The Mets and Nationals close out their three game series this afternoon with a rubber game! After taking the opener on Tuesday, the Mets fell behind yesterday early and could not catch back up as their bats fell silent. On the positive side, the bullpen did a great job tossing scoreless innings in what has been a weak area for the Mets this season.
Mets Lineup
- Jeff McNeil – LF
- Dominic Smith – 1B
- Robinson Cano – 2B
- Michael Conforto – RF
- J.D. Davis – 3B
- Brandon Nimmo – CF
- Amed Rosario – SS
- Tomas Nido – C
- Zack Wheeler – RHP
Nationals Lineup
- Adam Eaton – RF
- Victor Robles – CF
- Anthony Rendon – 3B
- Juan Soto – LF
- Howie Kendrick – 2B
- Gerardo Parra – 1B
- Kurt Suzuki – C
- Wilmer Difo – SS
- Anibal Sanchez – RHP
Wheeler looks to lead the Mets back to .500. He is 3-2 on the season over 8 games and 49.2 innings with a 4.35 ERA, 2.70 FIP (a career best), 1.349 WHIP and 89 ERA+. In the month of May he has allowed 4 runs off 15 hits in 14.0 innings while striking out 21 batters. His first two starts were against the Nationals and they were the worst of the season as he allowed 11 runs over 9.2 innings. In fact, if you take out those two starts, he has a 2.93 ERA on the year. The Nationals have the following numbers against Wheeler:
- Anthony Rendon 10-30, 6 BB, 4 K
- Ryan Zimmerman 8-27, 2 HR, 3 BB, 5 K
- Adam Eaton 9-15, 2 2B, 3 BB
- Trea Turner 6-16, 2B, HR, 2 BB
- Gerardo Parra 5-12, BB
- Juan Soto 2-11, 2 BB, 4 K
- Wilmer Difo 1-8, BB, K
- Victor Robles 2-4, 2B, K
The Mets bats will try to leave to DC on a high note against Anibal Sanchez who is 0-6 over 8 starts and 41.0 innings with a 5.27 ERA, 4.86 FIP, 1.683 WHIP and 84 ERA+. In the month of May he has thrown 9.0 innings over two starts allowing 5 runs, 3 earned. The last time he has pitched into the 6th inning was on April 19th. He pitched against the Mets twice last year allowing 5 runs over 10.0 innings from 7 hits and 4 walks. The Mets have the following numbers against him:
- Robinson Cano 4-21, 2B, BB, 3 K
- Todd Frazier 1-19, 2 BB, 7 K
- Wilson Ramos 6-18, 2B, 3 BB
- Michael Conforto 1-7, HR, BB, 2 K
- Adeiny Hechavarria 1-5, 2B, BB, 2 K
- Brandon Nimmo 1-5, BB, K
- Amed Rosario 1-4, 2B
Game Notes
The Mets bullpen added 5.1 scoreless innings last night. The pen has allowed one run in its last 14.2 innings (0.61 ERA) over its last five games. In addition, the bullpen has the lowest ERA (1.69 – seven earned runs/37.1 innings) in May.
The Mets are 14-9 against the NL East this season. New York is in the midst of 12 straight games again the division. Only Philadelphia (15 wins) and Houston (15 wins) have more victories vs. their division this season.
Drew Gagnon has thrown 5.2 scoreless innings in his last five starts and is an option to start on Saturday.
Let’s Go Mets!
