José Butto. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, October 1, 2023 • 3:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Matt Strahm (9-5, 3.32) vs. RHP José Butto (1-3, 3.75)
SNY

For the last time in 2023 we get to see the New York Mets play baseball. It wasn’t the season that anyone expected it to be way back last winter. There were spirals, devastating injuries, sticky stuff incident, players who regressed, and spurts of tremendous rain. There were also the “Baby Mets,” players who stepped up in big ways when needed, new fan favorites, and a lot of potential for good years down the road.

All of today’s games are at the same time because of postseason scenarios. Unlike in previous years every Wild Card battle was resolved yesterday, with five teams clinching playoff spots. The only thing left for today are questions as to who gets what seed.

Mets Lineup

  1. Rafael Ortega, CF
  2. Ronny Maurcio, 2B
  3. Pete Alonso, 1B
  4. Francisco Lindor, SS
  5. Mark Vientos, DH
  6. Brett Baty, 3B
  7. Francisco Álvarez, C
  8. DJ Stewart, RF
  9. Tim Locastro, LF

José Butto will start the last game for the Mets. This is fitting. Butto emerged this month as an interesting possibility for next year after struggling earlier in the season. For most of the season, he was the most ready pitching prospect the Mets had in the upper minors. Now, there are three starting pitchers knocking on the door behind him. His start today, but really his spring starts, are going to be critical as the Mets figure out the back half of their rotation for the next season.

Over eight starts, and 36 innings this season, he has a 3.75 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 1.361 WHIP, and a 113 ERA+. He’s coming off of his first rough start in a while where he allowed four runs from four hits over four runs against the Phillies. Before that he allowed four runs from 12 hits over 17 1/3 innings spread over three starts (2.08 ERA, 1.93 FIP).

The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

Phillies Lineup

  1. Kyle Schwarber, DH
  2. Nick Castellanos, RF
  3. Bryson Stott, 2B
  4. Alec Bohm, 3B
  5. Brandon Marsh, CF
  6. Edmundo Sosa, SS
  7. Jake Cave, 1B
  8. Johan Rojas, CF
  9. Drew Stubbs, C

Matt Strahm will open for the Phillies today, followed by Nick Nelson, who will be making his 2023 debut on the last day of the season. Strahm has pitched in 55 games (nine starts) for the Phillies this season tossing 86 2/3 innings with a 3.32 ERA, 3.29 FIP, 1.027 WHIP, and a 130 ERA+.

As a starter he has logged 32 1/3 innings. Over those nine games, he posted  a 4.18 ERA (1.052 WHIP). This is quite a bit higher than his relief ERA of 2.82.

The Mets have the following numbers against him:

  • Francisco Lindor 0-3, 2 K, 2 BB
  • Pete Alonso 0-4, 3 K
  • Omar Narváez 0-2, 2 K
  • Mark Vientos 0-1
  • Danny Mendick 0-2, K
  • Francisco Álvarez 0-1
  • Brett Baty 1-2, 2B
  • Tim Locastro 1-2, K
  • Rafael Ortega 0-1
  • Luis Guillorme 1-1

Game Notes

Before the game, manager Buck Showalter told media he will not be returning as manager next season.

The New York Mets will have at least the seventh-best odds in the lottery. That can change, and they can drop to eighth with a win and a Pirates loss.

The Mets and Marlins will not have to finish the previously suspended game from Thursday night.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. The “Baby Mets.” One of the best part of the 2023 Mets has been the emergence of the “Baby Mets.” Francisco Álvarez had a tremendous day yesterday hitting two homers to get his total to 25 on the season. Ronny Mauricio has raked all season in the minors and finally got a chance to play in September. Mark Vientos and Brett Baty, at times, have shown flashes of brilliance this season.
  2. Milestones, one more time. There are two big milestones left. It’s not probable, but technically, Pete Alonso could hit four homers in this game to reach 50 on the season. Francisco Lindor only needs two more RBIs to reach 100 on the season.
  3. The New York Mets. It has been a long season, unfortunately one that has not gone the way no one wanted it to. However, the system is loaded, the team has the richest owner in all of sports, and they still have several pieces that can make up a contending roster. With all that being said, enjoy this last game as we won’t be seeing Mets’ baseball again for a while.