Saturday, August 14, 2021 • 7:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Walker Buehler (12-2, 2.13) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (7-7, 3.89)
WPIX  • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

The Mets showed fight last night but came up short in a 6-5 loss to the Dodgers. After falling behind early, the Mets fought back late and tied the game at 4-4. The Dodgers went ahead 6-4 in the 10th and the Mets were able to scratch only one run back. It was a strong effort for the Mets who received bad news again yesterday with deGrom shut down an additional two weeks and Báez landing on the IL.

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  2. Jeff McNeil – 2B
  3. Pete Alonso – 1B
  4. Dominic Smith – LF
  5. Michael Conforto – RF
  6. J.D. Davis – 3B
  7. Jonathan Villar – SS
  8. Tomas Nido – C
  9. Taijuan Walker – RHP

Dodgers Lineup

  1. Trea Turner – 2B
  2. Max Muncy – 1B
  3. Will Smith – C
  4. Corey Seager – SS
  5. AJ Pollock – LF
  6. Chris Taylor – 3B
  7. Cody Bellinger – CF
  8. Billy McKinney – RF
  9. Walker Buehler – RHP

The Mets will send out Taijuan Walker today who has pitched 111.0 innings this year with a 3.89 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 1.207 WHIP and a 103 ERA+. After a lot of struggles since the All-Star break he had an average start his last time out, which is good in comparison to his 4 previous starts. Last time out he allowed 3 runs over 6.0 innings. He allowed 2 runs early but then bounced back and kept the Mets in the game (but the bats just couldn’t get anything going to support Taijuan). The Dodgers have the following career numbers against Walker:

  • Max Muncy 1-3, HR, 2 K
  • Cody Bellinger 3-10, HR, 3 K
  • Trea Turner 2-7, 2B, BB, K
  • Corey Seager 4-13, HR, 3 K
  • Albert Pujols 3-13, HR, 2 K
  • Justin Turner 2-10, 2B, BB, 3 K
  • Chris Taylor 1-7, 2B, BB, 3 K
  • AJ Pollock 0-3

The Mets bats have a tall order today as they take on Walker Buehler. This season he has made 23 starts and pitched 147.2 innings with a 2.13 ERA (league leading), 3.12 FIP, 0.935 WHIP and a 186 ERA+. In his last four starts he has allowed only 3 runs over 26.1 innings (1.03 ERA) despite allowing 17 hits and 10 walks. The Mets have the following numbers against Walker:

  • Brandon Nimmo 1-2, 3B
  • Pete Alonso 2-5, 2 HR
  • Albert Almora Jr. 1-3, HR
  • Dominic Smith 2-3, K
  • Kevin Pillar 2-6, BB, K
  • Jonathan Villar 0-3, 2 K
  • Jeff McNeil 0-1, BB
  • J.D. Davis 1-4, 2 K
  • Michael Conforto 0-4, BB, K
  • Brandon Drury 0-3

Game Notes

Luis Rojas said before the game that Brandon Drury would be the primary emergency shortstop, with Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis to follow.

Michael Conforto has reached base safely in each of his last 11 games, with a .344 average and .432 OBP over that stretch.

Pete Alonso is one hit away from 300 for his career.

Let’s Go Mets!