Thursday, August 17, 2023 • 7:15 PM
Busch Stadium • St. Louis, Missouri
LHP José Quintana (0-4, 3.03) vs. RHP Adam Wainwright (3-7, 8.78)
FOX

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets won the series against the Pirates and now head to St. Louis to start a series with another NL Central team. Yesterday the Mets had an all-around good day at the office, scoring a bunch of runs, having a starter pitch at least five innings, and a bullpen that gave up only one run in four innings of relief. They now face a struggling Cardinals team that is in last place, but has won six of their last ten games.

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – LF
  2. Francisco Lindor – SS
  3. Jeff McNeil – 2B
  4. Pete Alonso – 1B
  5. Daniel Vogelbach – DH
  6. Francisco Álvarez – C
  7. DJ Stewart – RF
  8. Jonathan Araúz – 3B
  9. Rafael Ortega – CF

José Quintana looks to start the long weekend in St. Louis off on the right foot for the Mets. Over five starts this season, Quintana has a 3.03 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 1.281 WHIP and a 139 ERA+. In his last two starts, he has allowed three runs over 12 innings (2.25 ERA, 2.85 FIP). In his first five starts, he allowed exactly six hits per start. Quintana broke that streak last time out when he held the Braves to only four hits. Despite how well Quintana has pitched this season, the Mets have never won a Quintana start. The Cardinals have the following career numbers against him:

Opposing Lineup

  1. Tommy Edman – CF
  2. Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
  3. Nolan Arenado – 3B
  4. Willson Contreras – DH
  5. Tyler O’Neill – LF
  6. Jordan Walker – RF
  7. Andrew Knizner – C
  8. Taylor Motter – SS
  9. José Fermin – 2B

The Mets bats draw their old rival, Adam Wainwright. Adam has started 15 games totaling 66 2/3 innings this season with an 8.78 ERA, 6.04 FIP, 2.085 WHIP, and a 49 ERA+. In August, he has started two games, pitching four innings, allowing 15 runs on 18 hits and two walks (33.75 ERA, 8.76 FIP). He pitched well against the Mets earlier this season, holding them to three runs over 6 1/3 innings in a game the Cardinals won. The Mets have the following career numbers against Adam:

  • Omar Narváez 9-24, 3 2B, HR, 2 K, 3 BB
  • Daniel Vogelbach 3-15, HR, 5 K, 2 BB
  • Rafael Ortega 6-14, 3B, K, BB
  • Jeff McNeil 1-11, 2 K, BB
  • Pete Alonso 3-7, 2 2B, K, 2 BB
  • Francisco Lindor 2-9, 2 K, BB
  • Brandon Nimmo 1-2, HR, BB
  • Tim Locastro 1-2, K, BB
  • Francisco Álvarez 1-3
  • Danny Mendick 2-2, 2B

Game Notes

Mark Vientos has been placed on the injured list with wrist inflammation. Abraham Almonte will take his spot on the roster.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. DJ Stewart, the engine to the offense? Stewart has gone 4-for-6 in the last two games at the plate, hitting three homers. Stewart was hitless from August 4th to the 13th (0-for-14) before revving his engine and smacking three balls out of the park. He will continue to get a lot of playing time for the rest of this season and make an impression for a role on the 2024 squad.
  2. Mets Bullpen changes and usage. For two straight days, the Mets had to send a pitcher down to the minors after being overused to bring up a fresh arm. The Mets went through four relievers yesterday, with Bickford putting in the most work tossing 30 pitches. Sam Coonrod has two days’ rest. Also, Dennis Santana, who was recalled before yesterday’s game, wasn’t used at all, so he should be good to go if needed.
  3. Adam Wainwright. Tonight is probably the last time the Mets will face Adam Wainwright in a major league game. Wainwright has had a 3.52 career ERA over 18 seasons and cemented himself in Mets history when he struck out Carlos Beltran to end the 2006 NLCS. A rarity in today’s game, Wainwright stayed with the Cardinals throughout his entire career. Cheers to a great career (even though the image of the Cardinals celebrating at Shea is forever burned into my mind

Let’s go Mets!