Justin Verlander. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, July 30, 2023 • 1:40 pm ET
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Trevor Williams (505, 4.47) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (5-5, 3.24)
WPIX

Yesterday was a wild one for the New York Mets. The Mets got routed by the Nationals 11-6, despite the Mets hitting four home runs in the game, and that’s not even the most memorable part of the day.

Before the game was scheduled to start, it was reported that Max Scherzer was being traded to the Texas Rangers. Then there was a period of a couple of hours where the details and the reality of if the trade were delayed. This coincided with a rain delay at Citi Field, so for a while there it was a waiting game. However, the deal was finalized and Scherzer was officially dealt to the Rangers for top-50 prospect Luisangel Acuña.

Now, the Mets have to pivot from last night’s game to today’s matinee where they can still take the series from the Nationals with a win. Justin Verlander is currently scheduled to start for the Mets today with trade rumors swirling.

Mets Lineup

Justin Verlander has pitched 89 innings over 15 starts with a 3.24 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 1.146 WHIP, and a 128 ERA+. He has been way more like the pitcher he was in his Cy Young-winning season last year, posting six starts with a 1.46 ERA (3.37 FIP) over 37 innings while striking out 32. Over this stretch, he has allowed only one home, compared to eight homers over his previous nine starts.

The Nationals have the following career numbers against him:

Nationals Lineup:

  1. CJ Abrams, SS
  2. Jeimer Candelario, 3B
  3. Joey Meneses, DH
  4. Keibert Ruiz, C
  5. Luis Garcia, 2B
  6. Dominic Smith, 1B
  7. Corey Dickerson, RF
  8. Ildemaro Vargas, LF
  9. Alex Call, CF

The Mets’ bats face a familiar foe this afternoon in Trevor Williams. The former Met has started 21 games and pitched 104 2/3 innings this season for the Nationals putting up a 4.47 ERA, 5.45 FIP, 1.443 WHIP, and a 94 ERA+.

He’s coming off of a rough start against the Rockies where they were able to tag him for four runs via nine hits over six innings. He’s had some struggles in his last six starts allowing 17 runs over 28 2/3 innings (5.34 ERA), giving up seven home runs over that stretch.

The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

Game Notes

The Mets formally announced the Max Scherzer trade.

Per Will Sammon of the Athletic, relief pitcher Vinny Nittoli has rejoined the Mets.

According to Mike Mayer of MMO, Mets’ outfield/second base prospect Nick Morabito is being promoted to Single-A St. Lucie. He was slashing /324/.437/.432 with 11 stolen bases across 30 games in the Florida Complex League.

According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Mets are saving $24 million this year and $35 million next year against the payroll/luxury tax in trading David Robertson and Max Scherzer. This all despite the large cash figure being sent to the Texas Rangers in the Scherzer deal.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Is this Verlander’s last start as a Met? On Friday night, this same question was asked about Max Scherzer. Between Scherzer’s up-and-down year and player option for next year, it just felt very unlikely that the Mets would trade Scherzer. There was much more of a feeling they would end up trading Verlander. He definitely fits into what the Mets are looking for in 2024 and lately he’s pitching a lot more like the guy the Mets thought they would get. At the same time, given what Scherzer netted, the potential returns seems like it would be very large. Everything is a possibility right now.
  2. Checking in other potential trade options. Tommy Pham had a big night at the plate yesterday going 2-for-4 with a home run. Meanwhile, Mark Canha went 2-for-3. Both scored a run. As of writing this, the only notable bats that have been moved in the last week are Carlos Santana, Amed Rosario and Enrique Hernández. The market for bats has not been moving yet at the same speed as pitching. However, Pham and Canha are two names that can easily get that market moving.
  3. Daniel Vogelbach. Since July 6, Vogelbach has had 33 plate appearances and is slashing .333/.394/.567 (.961 OPS). He has 10 hits, including a double and two home runs to go along with eight strikeouts. It’s a small sample size, but he’s quietly putting together a nice little run. He’s eligible for arbitration next year and will be a free agent in 2025. Can he potentially be moved before the deadline?