The Mets go for the sweep tonight before the off-day against Philly! Last night the Mets fired on all cylinders as they beat the Phillies 9-0. Through the first five innings, the game was the Zack Wheeler show as he recorded 11 strikeouts, had two hits including a homer and a double and recorded three RBI, or three of the Mets four runs.
Then in the sixth, Todd Frazier hit a Grand Slam that put the game away for the Mets. Last night’s win means that no matter what happens tonight, the Mets will at least tie their season record against the Phillies.
The game also got a little chippy/chirpy last night in the ninth inning which will be something to watch for today. The Phillies were already upset about the bad umpiring from Monday night, which led to Bryce Harper being ejected and then Jake Arrieta making comments about Harper being ejected.
In the ninth inning last night, Jacob Rhame almost hit Rhys Hoskins, who took it as he was being thrown at on purpose. Benches cleared but stayed towards the dugout. Important to note: the Mets were winning 9-0, had no reason to throw at Rhys and Rhame notoriously has control issues.
Ball four to Hoskins could also be interpreted as Rhame throwing at Rhys (if you’re a Phillies fan or Hoskins). To everyone else, it looked like Rhame still demonstrating a lack of control. Maybe this is a non-issue that the Phillies use to band together tonight.
Mets Lineup
- Jeff McNeil LF
- Michael Conforto RF
- Robinson Cano 2B
- Wilson Ramos C
- Dominic Smith 1B
- Todd Frazier 3B
- Amed Rosario SS
- Juan Lagares CF
- Jason Vargas P
Phillies Lineup
- Andrew McCutchen LF
- J.T. Realmuto C
- Bryce Harper RF
- Rhys Hoskins 1B
- Maikel Franco 3B
- Cesar Hernandez 2B
- Sean Rodriguez SS
- Vince Velasquez P
- Roman Quinn CF
For the Mets, they send out Jason Vargas who’s a bonding moment for fans and teammates in different ways. Over 10.1 innings, four games and three starts this year he has a 9.58 ERA, 7.75 FIP, 2.323 WHIP and a 42 ERA+. His last start was a step forward – allowing one run over four innings against the Cardinals that lowered his ERA from 14.21 to 9.58. He did average, which is good, in his one start against the Phillies last year holding them to two runs over 5.1 innings. The Phillies have the following numbers against him:
- Bryce Harper 0-for-5, BB
- Cesar Hernandez 1-for-3
- Rhys Hoskins 1-for-3
- Scott Kingery 1-for-2, 2B
- J.T. Realmuto 0-for-2
- Nick Williams 0-for-2
- Maikel Franco 0-for-1
- Andrew McCutchen 0-for-1
The Mets bats will get their first look at Vince Velasquez who over his first four games and three starts this year has found his stuff compared to previous years. Last year in 31 games and 30 starts, 146.2 innings, he had a 4.85 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.343 WHIP and 86 ERA+. This year in 17.2 innings he has a 2.55 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 0.962 WHIP, and 179 ERA+. Last year he faced the Mets twice and allowed five runs from nine hits and two walks over 10 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Velasquez:
- Michael Conforto 6-for-12, 3 HR, 3 BB, 2 K
- Travis d’Arnaud 1-for-10, 3 K
- Amed Rosario 2-for-5, 3B
- Robinson Cano 0-for-2, 2 BB
- Jeff McNeil 2-for-3
- Dominic Smith 1-for-3, 2B
- Todd Frazier 0-for-1
- Brandon Nimmo 1-for-1, 2B, BB
- Wilson Ramos 0-for-2
Game Notes
The Mets have won the season series vs. the Phillies seven straight years dating to 2012. According to Elias, it’s the longest streak of consecutive season-series wins vs. one team in team history. The Mets have won 22 of their last 29 series vs. the Phillies. New York is 52-29 vs. Philadelphia since the start of the 2015 campaign, including 11-8 last year. New York has out-homered the Phillies, 127-74, since the start of the 2015 season.
New York has scored 128 runs through its first 23 games which is the second-most in team history. Only the 1996 (136 runs) team scored more runs. The team’s 128 runs rank fourth in the majors.
The Mets have recorded 212 hits this season, which is fourth in the National League. The team is hitting .262 this year, which also ranks fourth in the NL.
Michael Conforto went 2-4 with a run and a walk in last night’s win against the Phillies. He has reached base safely twice in a game 17 times this season. That ties him with Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich for the major league lead.
New York owns an 11-7 record against division rivals so far this season.
Lets Go Mets!
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