The Mets make the trip up the West Coast to face the Mariners tonight. Last night the Mets lost Flexen’s major league debut despite a 4-run 7th that brought the game within 2 runs featuring a 2-run homer from Jay Bruce. Last night also marked the first time the Mets played in the post-Duda era. The Mets right now are looking at playing Bruce at first and recalled Neil Walker from rehab as the team looks to shed pieces before the trade deadline.

Mets Lineup

  1. Michael Conforto – CF
  2. Asdrubal Cabrera – 3B
  3. Yoenis Cespedes – LF
  4. Jay Bruce – RF
  5. Wilmer Flores – 1B
  6. Neil Walker – 2B
  7. Curtis Granderson – DH
  8. Jose Reyes – SS
  9. Rene Rivera – C

Mariners Lineup

  1. Jean Segura – SS
  2. Ben Gamel – LF
  3. Robinson Cano – 2B
  4. Nelson Cruz – DH
  5. Kyle Seager – 3B
  6. Danny Valencia – 1B
  7. Mitch Haniger – RF
  8. Jarrod Dyson – CF
  9. Mike Zunino – C

While dealings with the front office look more interesting right now, a game is still going to be played tonight featuring Rafael Montero. Montero is 1-7 over 20 games and 6 starts over 52.0 innings with a 5.19 ERA, 4.02 FIP and 1.731 WHIP (which is falling). In his last start he allowed 3 runs over 7.0 innings off 7 hits and a walk against the Athletics. In his last two starts he has allowed 7 runs, 5 earned over 14 hits and 2 walks. If the Mets get the average of those numbers for the rest of the time Montero is in the rotation, they (and most of us) will be pretty happy.

The Mets draw Ariel Miranda today. The 28-year-old made his major league debut with the Orioles last year and was traded for Wade Miley. This year he is 7-4 over 20 starts and 115.0 innings with a 4.30 ERA, 5.18 FIP and 1.157 WHIP. He opened up July with two rough starts allowing 11 runs off 11 hits and 3 walks over 10.2 innings but returned to Earth in his last start allowing 2 runs over 5.1 innings.

Notes – 

New York’s bullpen is 3-0 with four saves and a 2.84 ERA (10 earned runs/31.2 innings) since July 18.

New York will face two lefthanded starters in this series. The Mets are 11-10 in games by a left-hander.

Asdrubal Cabrera is hitting .302/.383/.434 in 14 second half games.

Before the game Neil Walker and Brandon Nimmo were activated from the DL while T.J. Rivera was placed on teh DL with a partial tear of his UCL and Tyler Pill was optioned to Las Vegas.

Let’s Go Mets!