Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, August 26, 2023 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, New York
RHP Chase Silseth (4-1, 4.00) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-7, 6.42)
SNY

The Mets dropped the first game of the series last night against the Angels and look to rebound tonight with Carlos Carrasco on the mound. The Mets got an amazing start from Kodai Senga last night but the offense could not contribute. This is now back-to-back losses for the Mets with their two most reliable starters on the mound. Can Carrasco be the stopper?

Mets Lineup

Carlos Carrasco has made 19 starts tossing 88 1/3 innings this season with a 6.42 ERA, 5.79 FIP, 1.653 WHIP, and a 65 ERA+. Over his last three starts, he has allowed seven runs from 16 hits and five walks, leading to a 5.25 ERA over 12 innings. His last time out was his first time all season not walking a single batter, but he allowed nine hits, the second most he’s allowed this season. The Angels have the following career numbers against him:

Opposing Lineup

SS Luis Rengifo

DH Shohei Ohtani

2B Brandon Drury

3B Mike Moustakas

C Logan O’Hoppe

CF Mickey Moniak

RF Hunter Renfroe

1B Trey Cabbage

LF Randal Grichuk

SP Chase Silseth

Chase Silseth starts today for the Angels. Over 14 games and six starts this season, Silseth has pitched 45 innings with a 4.00 ERA, 5.11 FIP, 1.289 WHIP, and 113 ERA+. Silseth has been starting consistently since July 31st making four starts totaling 20 2/3 innings with a 3.48 ERA, and 5.01 FIP. Before his start, he allowed only three runs over 17 innings of work. Last time out he allowed five runs in 3 2/3. Homers seem to be his weakness as he’s allowed five in his last four starts. The only Met who has seen him in an official game is Jonathan Araúz who is 0-for-1 against Silseth with a walk.

Game Notes

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that Mark Vientos is back with the Mets after a one-day rehab assignment. He is expected to join the active roster tomorrow.

The New York Mets are hosting their second annual Women’s Day at Citi Field, presented by Citi. Led by the Mets’ female-driven employee resource group, “She-Unit,” Women’s Day is a celebration of women in sports with female-focused pregame and in-game programming in honor of Women’s Equality Day.

Pete Alonso is tied for second in the majors and is second in the NL with 95 RBI. He has previously recorded two seasons with 100 RBI (120 in 2019 and 131 in 2022). Alonso is seeking to become the fourth player in Mets history to record three or more seasons with 100 or more RBI. David Wright is the franchise leader with five 100-RBI seasons.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Francisco Lindor. Francisco Lindor extended his hitting streak to 11 games last night, going 17-for-44 over that span with four doubles and two homers. In his last 11 games, he is slashing .386/.438/.614. He really is putting together one of the best hitting seasons by a Mets middle-infielder and has a real shot now of hitting 30 homers before the season is over.
  2. Strikeouts. There wasn’t much to be happy about with the Mets bats last night outside of Lindor’s homer and McNeil’s double. The Mets as a team only had four hits, with no one collecting multiple hits. Ultimately the team looked lost at the plate striking out a collective 11 times, including three players having two or more strikeouts.
  3. The back of the bullpen is ready to go. With the off days and the losses this week, the Mets haven’t needed the back of the bullpen that much. Ottavino and Drew Smith last pitched on Monday. Brooks Raley pitched last night but has only thrown 11 pitches since Tuesday (and he didn’t throw on Monday!). They’re ready if the Mets bats and Carlos Carrasco put them in a position to be needed.

Let’s go Mets!