MMO Game Thread: Diamondbacks vs Mets, 7:10 PM

Tuesday, August 9, 2016 • 7:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, N.Y.
RHP Zack Greinke (10-3, 3.62) vs. LHP Steven Matz (8-8, 3.63)
SNY • WOR 710 AM • ESPN 1050 AM

The Mets struggled against the Tigers this weekend, but ended the series on a high note as they avoided a sweep thanks to a solid performance by Jacob deGrom and a ninth inning 2-run homer from Neil Walker off former Met closer K-Rod. After a losing road trip, the Mets return to Citi Field where they will host the Diamondbacks and their terrible uniforms for a three game set. Steven Matz will get the starting nod for the Mets and oppose D’Backs ace Zack Greinke.

The Mets are 4-6 in their last 10 games and just 10-13 since the All-Star break. The Mets are 29-26 at home this season.

Mets Lineup

Curtis Granderson – CF
Neil Walker – 2B
Jay Bruce – RF
James Loney – 1B
Wilmer Flores – 3B
Michael Conforto – LF
Travis d’Arnaud – C
Matt Reynolds – SS
Steven Matz – LHP

Diamondbacks Lineup

Jean Segura – 2B
Michael Bourn – CF
Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
Rickie Weeks Jr. – LF
Yasmany Tomas – RF
Jake Lamb – 3B
Chris Owings – SS
Tuffy Gosewisch – C
Zack Greinke – P

Steven Matz is 8-8 on the season over 20 starts and 119.0 innings with a 3.63 ERA. After back to back good starts where he allowed 14 hits but only 2 ER over 12.0 innings, his last time out was a struggle in the Bronx as he allowed 6 runs over 6.0 innings. Not surprisingly, this will be Steven’s first time facing Arizona. Only one batter on their roster, Bourn, has seen him in a major league game and his 0-1 with a walk against Matz.

The Mets bats draw the big off-season acquisition for the Diamondbacks, Zack Greinke, previously seen pitching against the Mets in the NLDS. After a season where he was 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA (leading the league in winning percentage and ERA) he is 10-3 this year with a 3.62 ERA over 17 starts. Things were rough for him at the start of the season and then he went on a tear in June pitching 38.2 innings over 6 games with a 1.63 ERA. He then landed on the DL and is making his first start tonight since then. In the regular season with the Mets last year he allowed 2 ER in 14.0 innings and in the playoffs he allowed 5 ER over 13.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Zack: