Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, August 12, 2023 • 7:15 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, New York
RHP Spencer Strider (12-4, 3.94) vs. LHP José Quintana (0-3, 3.42)
FOX

The Mets got absolutely trounced in the first game of the doubleheader this afternoon. The game was 13-0 heading into the bottom half of the 8th, where the Mets finally picked up their first three runs of the weekend on a Daniel Vogelbach homer. Then with Danny Mendick pitching the Braves just unloaded on the Mets and ended up winning 21-3. Ouch. Anyway the Mets could win 2-1 or something tonight and the day will be an overall loss for the Braves. Let’s go!

Mets Lineup

José Quintana has had an interesting first four starts as a New York Met. Over 23 2/3 innings he’s allowed 24 hits and 10 runs leading to a 3.24 ERA, 2.80 FIP, 1.310 WHIP and a 122 ERA+. He’s allowed exactly six hits in each start and either two or three runs in each start. He’s kept the Mets in each game he’s pitched in and two of his starts have been quality starts. The Mets bats though have not returned the favor and the Mets have lost every game that he has started. Anyway, the Braves the following career numbers against Quintana:

  • Orlando Arcia 4-29, 2B, 6 K, 4 BB
  • Marcell Ozuna 7-16, HR, 3 K, 2 BB
  • Matt Olson 2-12, 2B, 5 K, 2 BB
  • Eddie Rosario 4-16, 3 K, BB
  • Kevin Pillar 5-15, 3 2B, 4 K, BB
  • Ronald Acuña Jr. 0-7, 2 K, 2 BB
  • Ozzie Albies 5-8, 2 2B, 2 HR, K
  • Austin Riley 0-5, K, BB
  • Travis d’Arnaud 1-4
  • Sean Murphy 2-4, 2B
  • Michael Harris II 2-4, 2B, K

Opposing Lineup

The Mets bats will try to find themselves tonight against Spencer Strider. On the season Strider has a 3.94 ERA, 2.93 FIP (league leading), 1.126 WHIP and a 115 ERA+ over 132 1/3 innings. He’s also leading the league with an absurd 14.4 K/9. In his last five starts he has allowed 19 runs, 18 earned, from 28 hits over 27 2/3 innings. He’s also struck out 45 batters over this stretch (5.86 ERA, 3.34 FIP). Against the Mets this season he has allowed 12 runs over nine innings while striking out 16 batters. The Mets have the following numbers against Strider:

  • Brandon Nimmo 6-14, 3B, 2 HR, 2 K, 2 BB
  • Francisco Lindor 6-13, 3B, 2 K, 2 BB
  • Pete Alonso 2-9, 2B, HR, 6 K, BB
  • Jeff McNeil 3-10, 2B, 2 K
  • Daniel Vogelbach 1-8, 4 K, 2 BB
  • Francisco Álvarez 1-3, HR, 2 K
  • Mark Vientos 0-2, K

Game Notes

The Mets lost 21-3 in game one of the doubleheader today. The Braves scored 20+ runs for the first time since June 30, 2021, which was also against the Mets.

Brandon Nimmo is back in the lineup after sitting for game one. The center fielder is dealing with quad tightness but is playing through it.

Francisco Lindor is also back in the lineup against the Braves for game two of the doubleheader. The Mets’ shortstop was dealing with right side soreness, but according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, his MRI came back with “good news.”

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Where is the Mets offense? The Mets were very close to getting shutout again, but Daniel Vogelbach through the boos, collected a three-run homer to get the Mets on the scoreboard. As a team though the Mets only got six hits today with four walks. They’ve hit Strider well this season but this Mets lineup is much weaker than what Strider has already seen.
  2. The pitching situation was a disaster earlier. The only good thing about the Mets bullpen right now is Jimmy Yacabonis saved them last night and Reed Garrett with Danny Mendick saved them today. Everyone that is more reliable for the Mets is still fresh and ready to go. None of that matters though when your long-man gives up six runs (like Garrett did earlier today). The bar is low for this evening for the pen.
  3. How does the earlier game impact tonight? The Mets and Braves played a three hour and 12 minute game this afternoon where the Braves had 22 hits. The Mets had to endure that entire barrage out on the field. That has to cause fatigue.

Let’s go Mets!