Max Scherzer. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, July 16, 2023 • 5:30 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, New York
RHP Bobby Miller (5-1, 4.50) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (8-3, 4.31)
WPIX

The New York Mets got an amazing start from Kodai Senga last night and it still resulted in a loss. Senga allowed only one run on a solo home run over six innings while striking out nine. The bullpen behind him self-destructed aided by poor defense, while the offense was not able to hit the balls to the right areas.

As a result, the Mets find themselves this afternoon fighting to avoid being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Can they snap their four-game losing streak?

Mets Lineup

Max Scherzer looks to get the Mets on the right track this afternoon as he takes on his old club. Over 16 starts, 87 2/3 innings, Scherzer has a 4.31 ERA, 4.53 FIP, 1.232 WHIP. and a 96 ERA+.

He’s had a rough July, allowing nine runs over 11 innings via 11 hits and five walks. While he has struck 16 batters out, he’s also allowed five home runs. He’s now allowed a homer in seven consecutive starts and he’s allowed a total of 11 homers in that same stretch (5.63 ERA).

The Dodgers have the following career numbers against him:

Dodgers Lineup

The Mets’ bats will get a look at Dodgers’ rookie Bobby Miller. Miller has pitched 44 innings over eight starts with a 4.50 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 1.227 WHIP, and a 98 ERA+.

In his last four starts, he has allowed 20 earned runs from 27 hits and eight walks over 21 innings (8.57 ERA, 5.37 FIP). In his four starts before that, he allowed only two runs over 23 innings.

Which Bobby Miller will the Mets get today?

Game Notes

First pitch is now slated for 5:30 pm ET. This game was originally scheduled for 1:40 pm ET, but was moved due to the threat of weather.

Prior to Sunday’s game, the Mets announced that José Quintana will pitch Thursday to give him extra recovery time from illness. Justin Verlander replaces him in the Wednesday slot.

Right-handed relief pitcher Sam Coonrod is slated to begin a rehab assignment with the St. Lucie Mets (Single-A).

Brandon Nimmo hit his 14th home run of the season last night. He is three away from matching his career-high of 17, which he accomplished in 2018.

Since returning from the injured list on May 14, Brooks Raley has posted a 0.86 ERA (2 ER/21.0 IP) over 25 games.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Brandon Nimmo. The Mets, as a team, have four hits since returning from the All-Star break. Brandon Nimmo has two of them. He had the sole hit, a double, in Friday night’s game and he had the sole RBI in yesterday’s game, hitting a home run. He can’t do it alone and the Mets right now cannot do anything without him.
  2. Max Scherzer. Are the Mets buyers? Are the Mets sellers? Everything depends on Max Scherzer. If the Mets are going to make a run for the Wild Card, they need Max Scherzer to be his vintage self. If things fall apart for the Mets, it would be ideal that Scherzer still plays well as a potential trade chip.
  3. Can the bullpen get it together? Trevor Gott. Brooks Raley. Despite the Mets using seven different bullpen arms in their last two games, only the two aforementioned members have tossed a clean inning since the break. Yesterday, Ottavino allowed a run, however, aided by some very poor defense. Meanwhile, Hartwig allowed three, only two earned. Robertson is the only arm that hasn’t been used yet and probably will be today regardless of the situation. The Mets need the bullpen to step up if they are going to make any sort of a run.