Monday, August 14, 2023 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, New York
RHP Quinn Priester (2-1, 8.75) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.42)
SNY

When the Mets took two of three from the Pirates in June, Pittsburgh a first place team in the NL Central (granted they were only four games above .500 going into the series). After a tailspin during the first two weeks of July, the Pirates sold players at the deadline and are now 12 games below .500. The Mets, of course, have had their own tailspin of late.

Currently, the Mets and Pirates have identical records. There’s a bit of a race to the bottom happening, but there are still six weeks of baseball left.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mets Lineup

Carlos Carrasco gets the start for the Mets tonight. Over 17 games (81 1/3 innings), Carrasco has a 6.42 ERA, 5.94 FIP, 1.598 WHIP and a 65 ERA+.

He’s coming off of an average start against the Cubs where he held them to three hits and two runs over five innings of work. This was a significant improvement compared to his previous four starts where he had a 12.33 ERA (6.20 FIP) over 15 1/3 innings. Against the Pirates earlier this year, Carrasco allowed two runs from six hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings.

The Pirates have the following career numbers against him:

Opposing Lineup

Quinn Priester looks to the right his ship against the Mets tonight.

Priester is a top prospect in the Pirates system and was recently listed as the No. 98 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline (the sixth Pirate on that list). Over five starts and 23 2/3 innings this season. he has allowed 23 runs from 30 hits and 15 walks, including five homers. This led to a small-sample size 8.75 ERA (6.35 FIP) 1.901 WHIP and a 52 ERA+. In the minors this year, he has made 18 starts (87 2/3 innings) with a 4.31 ERA.

Game Notes

Starling Marte said before Monday’s game that he’s feeling better (groin, migraines), but he’d like to get into some rehab games before returning. The Mets have not given him a timetable on that yet.

Former Mets prospect Endy Rodriguez will make his debut against the team tonight. He’s starting at catcher. Rodriguez was traded for Joey Lucchesi in a three-team deal in early 2021.

Before the game, the team brought Sam Coonrod and Jimmy Yacabonis to the active roster. Josh Walker was placed on the IL with an oblique strain (potentially ending his season), and John Curtiss was placed on the 60-day IL with a loose body in his elbow, ending his season.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. The lineup looks so much better with Brandon Nimmo leading off. Brandon Nimmo is 4-for-9 in his last two games with a double and two walks. He also made a terrific catch in the outfield last night. The Mets offense needs Nimmo in order to function, and it was great seeing him have a productive two nights in a row.
  2. Jeff McHits is back! It took a long time this season, but Jeff McHits is back! In his last 12 games, McNeil has gone 15-for-46 at the plate with a double and two homers, slashing .326/.392/.478/.871. That’s a significant improvement from his season slash line of .259/.334/.343/.677. The Mets offense as a whole hasn’t been a lot to write about over that same time stretch. Jeff McNeil has been a consistent source of hitting during this stretch, with only three hitless games (all near the start of this stretch). Here’s hoping he goes on a little run for the rest of the season.
  3. Rafael Ortega. Ortega has had nine hits in his first 12 games as a Met. Three of them came last night. Ortega arguably had the biggest hit of the night that scored two runs and busted the game open for the Mets, stretching their lead to 7-3. As the Braves clawed back those two RBI for Ortega proved critical to holding onto the lead. Ortega played over 100 games each of the last two seasons for the Cubs. With the Mets current state, he will probably continue to be a regular in the lineup for the next six weeks.

Let’s go Mets!