Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Friday, July 23, 2021 • 7:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Steven Matz (8-4, 4.43) vs. RHP Tylor Megill (0-0, 2.63)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

The Mets return home!

The Mets haven’t been home since the All-Star break. Since then they’ve had a lackluster series in Pittsburgh, a series where they battled severe pitching shortages in Cincy and have now extended their division lead to four games. The Braves and Phillies, tied for second in the division, play each other this weekend while the Mets take on an old friend tonight (more on that in a bit).

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  2. Pete Alonso – 1B
  3. Dominic Smith – LF
  4. J.D. Davis – 3B
  5. Michael Conforto – RF
  6. James McCann – C
  7. Jonathan Villar – SS
  8. Luis Guillorme – 2B
  9. Tylor Megill – RHP

Blue Jays Lineup

The Mets got a much needed off day yesterday. The pitchers though basically got two days off thanks to Marcus Stroman. Stroman put on a show on Wednesday, holding the Reds scoreless for eight innings, giving the Mets stability.

Tylor Megill will look to make stability from the rotation a multiple game thing as he takes the mound tonight. In his first five starts and 24 innings this year he has a 2.63 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 1.208 WHIP and a 150 ERA+. He’s coming off of his best start in his career, six scoreless innings scattering six hits while walking none. This will be Megill’s first game against the Blue Jays.

Big night tonight for those who like to see old friends, Steven Matz makes his Citi Field return! Matz, pitcher for the Mets since 2015, was traded this off-season to the Blue Jays for Yennsy Diaz and Sean Reid-Foley (another player, Josh Winckowski who the Mets traded). A beloved Long Island native, Matz enjoyed success and faced obstacles while he was with the Mets. This year he has made 16 starts and pitched 81 1/3 innings with a 4.43 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 1.328 WHIP and a 101 ERA+. He’s coming off of a solid start where he didn’t allow any runs over five innings (jhree hits, no walks). Before that he allowed eight runs, seven earned over 6 2/3 innings in two starts. Only two Mets have seen Matz before:

  • Jonathan Villar 2-7, 3 K
  • Kevin Pillar 0-5, BB, K

Game Notes

The Mets announced they’ve acquired veteran left-handed Rich Hill from the Rays.

To make room for Hill on the 40-man roster, the Mets have transferred Robert Stock to the 60-day injured list.

Jeff McNeil is out of the lineup with what manager Luis Rojas called a fatigued leg.

Let’s Go Mets!