Thursday, September 21, 2023 • 7:15 PM
Citizens Bank Park • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LHP David Peterson (3-8, 5.22) vs. LHP Ranger Suárez (3-6, 3.80)
FOX

The Mets continue to shake up the wild card standings tonight as they take on the Phillies. In the last three series, the Mets have played the Diamondbacks, Reds, and Marlins, all of whom were fighting for the last wild card spot. The Diamondbacks, after losing the series to the Mets, now have the second spot, while the Marlins and Reds are on the outside looking in. The Phillies have a four-game lead and have been able to stay above the fray, but if the Mets take this series, then the whole top of the standings could be in disarray by Monday.

Ronny Mauricio. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  2. Ronny Mauricio – 2B
  3. Pete Alonso – 1B
  4. Francisco Lindor – SS
  5. Mark Vientos – DH
  6. Jeff McNeil – RF
  7. Francisco Alvarez – C
  8. Brett Baty – 3B
  9. Tim Locastro – LF

David Peterson makes his 20th start of the year after hitting exactly 100 innings for the season in his last start. He has a 5.22 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.590 WHIP, and an 81 ERA+. If he has a quality start today, throws at least six innings, he will pass his career high for innings pitched in one season (105 2/3). Since August 4, Peterson has made eight starts pitching 37 2/3 innings with a 4.06 ERA and 4.69 FIP. In his last two starts, he has allowed six runs, five earned, from 14 hits and three walks while striking out 18 batters in 11 2/3 innings (3.86 ERA, 2.32 FIP). The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

Opposing Lineup

  1. Kyle Schwarber – DH
  2. Trea Turner – SS
  3. Alec Bohm – 3B
  4. Bryce Harper – 1B
  5. J.T. Realmuto – C
  6. Nick Castellanos – RF
  7. Bryson Stott – 2B
  8. Johan Rojas – CF
  9. Cristian Pache – LF

The Mets bats look to pick up where they left off last night against Ranger Suárez. Over 20 starts (113 2/3 innings) this season, Suárez has a 3.80 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 1.399 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. In his last six starts (34 2/3 innings), he has a 2.86 ERA (4.07 FIP) while striking out 36 batters. He faced the Mets at the end of May, where he allowed two runs from five hits over 6 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

Game Notes

Ronny Mauricio has safely hit in 13 of his first 16 career games. He is batting .300 (18-60) with five runs, three doubles, one home run, seven RBI, five walks and six steals in his first 16 career games.

Make sure to check out our Series Preview.

The Baby Mets came through in a big way on Wednesday, with Mauricio reaching base three times, Brett Baty hitting a monster home run, and Mark Vientos homering twice.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Mark Vientos. Vientos had a night last night, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two homers, bringing him up to seven home runs on the season. Since September 12th, he has gone 12-for-35 at the plate with three homer runs, hitting .343/.361/.600. Before this stretch, his batting average was .199 for the season and is now .226.
  2. Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo has now collected three hits in back to back nights. Since September 12th, Nimmo has gone 16-40 at the plate with five doubles, a triple, a home run and three walks (.400/.442/.650). He’s ending the year on a hot streak, and it’s no coincidence the team has generally done better in the last week or so.
  3. Milestone Tracker. Brandon Nimmo’s home run last night brought him to 24 on the season, just one shy of 25! There was no movement for the other players we’ve been tracking for the last week. Lindor is four home runs and two stolen bases short of a 30-30 season. Alonso needs five home runs to reach 50. Álvarez is looking for two more home runs to reach 25 on the year.

Let’s go Mets!