Monday, September 16, 2019 • 8:40 p.m. ET
Coors Field • Denver, CO
LHP Steven Matz (10-8, 3.84) vs. RHP Antonio Senzatela (9-10, 6.87)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050 AM
The Mets played well against the Dodgers the last two days, but the bullpen couldn’t hold it together yesterday, and the offense gave the team zero breathing room as they fell 3-2.
Now the Mets find themselves four games back in the wild card race, where they were a week ago. Over the course of two day last week, the Mets went from four games out to two games out so it can happen again, they need to pretty much win the rest of the way out. Which is easier said than done. Luckily, for the first time in forever, the Mets schedule gets a tick easier as they head into Colorado.
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo (L) CF
- Jeff McNeil (L) 3B
- Michael Conforto (L) RF
- Robinson Cano (L) 2B
- Pete Alonso (R) 1B
- J.D. Davis (R) LF
- Amed Rosario (R) SS
- Tomas Nido (R) C
- Steven Matz (R) P
Rockies Lineup
- Trevor Story (R) SS
- Daniel Murphy (L) 1B
- Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
- Charlie Blackmon (L) RF
- Ryan McMahon (L) 2B
- Ian Desmond (R) LF
- Garrett Hampson (R) CF
- Drew Butera (R) C
- Antonio Senzatela (R) P
Steven Matz is 10-8 over 29 games and 27 starts over 145.1 innings with a 3.84 ERA, 4.41 FIP, 1.314 WHIP and 106 ERA+. He’s coming off a great start against the Diamondbacks where he held them scoreless over six innings from four hits and three walks while striking out seven. In his last seven starts he has allowed 11 runs, 9 earned over 41.2 innings, a 1.94 ERA with opponents batting .213/.282/.361 against him. Matz faced the Rockies back on June 8 and he allowed three runs, two earned over six innings while striking out 10. The Rockies have the following numbers against him:
- Charlie Blackmon 9-for-16, 2 2B, BB, 2 K
- Nolan Arenado 6-for-16, 2B, 4 HR, BB, 3 K
- Daniel Murphy 5-for-15, 2B, HR, BB, 3 K
- Trevor Story 5-for-13, 2 2B, BB, 5 K
- Ian Desmond 2-for-8, 2 BB, K
The Mets bats draw Antonio Senzatela for the series opener. On the season he is 9-10 over 22 games and 108.2 innings with a 6.87 ERA, 5.36 FIP, 1.748 WHIP and 77 ERA+. After six consecutive starts (dating back to July 5) of struggles (20.2 innings, 38 runs, 16.55 ERA, opponents slashing .423/.473/.660), Antonio had a strong start last time out allowing only one run over six innings from four hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He had almost the same line against the Mets in June, allowing one run on four hits and two walks in six innings work, just with no strikeouts. The Mets have the following numbers against him:
- Joe Panik 9-for-21, 2 2B, 2 HR
- Michael Conforto 2-for-4, HR, K
- Pete Alonso 0-for-3
- Robinson Cano 0-for-3
- Jed Lowrie 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
- Jeff McNeil 0-for-3
- Wilson Ramos 0-for-3
- Amed Rosario 1-for-3, 2B
Notes
No Met has ever led the major leagues in home runs at the end of the year. Alonso is tied for the major league lead. This is the latest a Met has been tied for the ML lead in homers since Dave Kingman, through games of September 28, 1976. Courtesy of Elias.
Robinson Canó is batting .449 (22-for-49) with 14 runs, five doubles, four homers, eight RBI, six walks, a .500 OBP, a .796 SLG and a 1.296 OPS over his last 15 games. He has safely hit in each of his last 14 starts. Since returning from the 10-Day IL, Canó is batting .400 (12-for-30) with seven runs, three home runs, a double, five RBI, five walks and a 1.206 OPS.
The Mets have matched their franchise record with four players with at least 20 home runs – Pete Alonso (47), Michael Conforto (30), Todd Frazier (22) and Jeff McNeil (20). J.D. Davis is close behind with 19. This matches the record of four set in 2016, 2000 and 1987.
Since being activated, Brandon Nimmo has reached safely in 19 of his 38 plate appearances, posting a .250/.500/.625 slashline in 13 games. Has a .467 OBP in his last 23 games (May 7-20 and September 1-present) with 22 walks in that span.
Let’s go Mets!
