Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Monday, September 11, 2023 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, New York
RHP Zach Davies (2-5, 6.81) vs. LHP José Quintana (2-5, 3.00)
SNY

The Mets escaped Minneapolis with a win this weekend and welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to Citi Field tonight. After yesterday’s win and a Nationals loss, the Mets are now 1.5 games ahead of the Nationals for last place in the Division. The Diamondbacks have a lot to play for this week – they currently have a 0.5-game lead for the last wild card spot right above the Marlins. The Diamondbacks are being chased by three teams for the last spot, all a maximum of 1.5 games out. Win or lose today, the Mets are going to help someone’s chances and hurt someone else’s.

Mets Lineup

CF Brandon Nimmo 
SS Francisco Lindor
LF Jeff McNeil 
1B Pete Alonso 
RF DJ Stewart 
2B Ronny Mauricio 
DH Brett Baty 
3B Mark Vientos 
C Omar Narváez

José Quintana takes the mound for his 10th start of the season. Over his first nine starts and 54 innings, Quintana has a 3.00 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 1.259 WHIP, and a 140 ERA+. He’s coming off of a brilliant start where he allowed one run over seven innings to the Nationals, scattering four hits. Over his last two starts, he has allowed only one run from seven hits in 13 innings of work while striking out nine. The Diamondbacks have the following career numbers against him:

  • Tommy Pham 4-19, HR, 4 K, BB
  • Evan Longoria 5-20, 3 K, BB
  • Ketel Marte 3-8, 2B, K
  • Christian Walker 2-4
  • Jace Peterson 0-1, K, BB
  • Emmanuel Rivera 2-2

Opposing Lineup

2B Ketel Marte
CF Corbin Carroll 
RF Tommy Pham
1B Christian Walker
LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
DH Evan Longoria
3B Emmanuel Rivera
SS Jordan Lawlar
C Seby Zavala

Zach Davies makes his 16th start of the season tonight. Over 71 1/3 innings he has a 6.81 ERA, 4.54 FIP, 1.598 WHIP, and a 64 ERA+. His first two starts since returning to the rotation were great – he allowed only two earned runs over 11 innings. His last start – not so much. Against the Rockies, he allowed five runs from six hits and three walks over three innings. He faced the Mets back in July where he allowed four runs from five hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

The Diamondbacks lineup has been carried by young, talented players in 2023. Now, the Mets will face off against the young lineup at home that features Jordan Lawlar. Lawlar was the 10th overall prospect (MLB.com) before his call-up and has All-Star talent written all over him. In 16 games in Triple-A, Lawlar slashed .358/.438/.612/1.050 with five home runs. He’s only played in three games at the major league level in 2023.

Game Notes

Tonight, the Mets will hold a special pregame ceremony to honor the memory and victims of those who perished on September 11, 2001, and from injuries sustained in responding to the crisis. First responders from across the area will be involved to help commemorate the day. Mike Piazza, whose game-winning home run against the Braves lifted the spirits of our city when baseball resumed after the 9/11 attack, will hold a pregame press conference in the Press Conference room following Buck Showalter. The New York Mets will wear first responder caps during the game. Caps from the FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority Police Department, Department of Sanitation, and Department of Correction will all be represented to commemorate their bravery and sacrifice.

Over his last 18 games, DJ Stewart is batting .323 (21- 65) with 11 runs, four doubles, 10 home runs, 21 RBI, and a 1.218 OPS. In 41 games this year, Stewart is batting .264 (28-106) with 14 runs, six doubles, 11 home runs, 24 RBI, 10 walks, a .342 OBP and a .632 SLG.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Welcome Back, Tommy Pham! Tommy Pham was one of the surprise signings for the Mets this offseason and essentially carried the Mets’ offense in early summer. Over 79 games for the Mets, he hit 10 homers and slashed .268/.348/.472 with a 125 OPS+. In 33 games with the Diamondbacks, he’s hit five home runs and has a .248/.289/.451 slash line with a 99 OPS+.
  2. Don’t forget about DJ Stewart! DJ Stewart is still playing good baseball down the stretch of the season. Since August 28th he has hit five home runs and has gone 7-for-26 (.885 SLG) at the plate with 11 RBIs. He pushed the only two runs scored in yesterday’s game across the plate. While our eyes have started to shift over to the baby Mets since the start of September, Stewart is still here, still making noise, still making a case to be part of the 2024 Mets.
  3. Will the Mets cut down on strikeouts today? Yesterday the Mets struck out a combined 16 times. Lindor, McNeil, Alonso, Mauricio, and Vientos all struck out two times each. Stewart, the hero of the game, had three strikeouts!

Let’s go Mets!