Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 • 7:10 P.M. ET
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Jesús Luzardo (3-7, 3.57) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (12-5, 3.53)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050
There’s nothing quite like the Marlins in the month of September.
Yesterday the Marlins jumped all over Carlos Carrasco and got an early 4-0 lead against the Mets. The Mets would claw back on a three-run bomb from Pete Alonso but it wasn’t enough as the Mets ultimately lost 6-4. Meanwhile, the Braves steamrolled through the Nationals and now the division is tied heading into the final game before the Braves and the Mets play each other this weekend.
Today is a must-win game.
Marlins Lineup
#Marlins lineup:
– Fortes the DH
– Stallings catching Luzardo
-Berti leads off
– No Miguel Rojas
– @RealEly in the press box pic.twitter.com/ymgl18ShpS— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) September 28, 2022
The Mets will turn to Taijuan Walker tonight. Over 27 games and 148 innings this season, Walker has a 3.53 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 1.189 WHIP, and a 110 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a rough start against the Brewers where he allowed four runs from six hits and three walks over six innings. However, he has been fantastic against the Marlins this year. Over five starts and 32 1/3 innings, Walker has allowed eight runs (2.23 ERA) while scattering 25 hits and 6 walks. He’s struck out 35 batters over this stretch. The Marlins have the following career numbers against Walker:
- Miguel Rojas 3-23, 2B, BB, 5 K
- Brian Anderson 4-16, HR, 6 K
- Bryan De La Cruz 5-14, 2B, BB, 3 K
- Jon Berti 7-13, 3 K
- Garrett Cooper 2-11, BB, 4 K
- Joey Wendle 3-11, 3 2B, K
- Lewin Diaz 1-10, 2B, 3 K
- Jacob Stallings 2-7, K
Mets Lineup
The starting nine behind @tai_walker! #LGM pic.twitter.com/Qrv9dIXItL
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 28, 2022
The Mets bats will get a look at Jesús Luzardo tonight. Over 16 games and 88 1/3 innings, Luzardo has a 3.57 ERA, 3.29 FIP, 1.053 WHIP and a 114 ERA+. Over his last two starts he has allowed three runs from eight hits and two walks in 12 2/3 innings of work. Before that he made his only start of the season against the Mets where he allowed five runs from six hits and three walks over 3 1/2 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Pete Alonso 2-8, HR, 2 K
- Eduardo Escobar 1-6, BB
- Darin Ruf 0-6, BB, K
- Francisco Lindor 1-5, K
- Jeff McNeil 2-5, K
- James McCann 0-3, BB, 2 K
- Mark Canha 0-2, K
- Brandon Nimmo 2-2, 2B, HR, BB
- Tyler Naquin 0-2, K
Game Notes
Right-hander reliever Mychal Givens pitched a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts earlier today for Triple-A Syracuse. He’s been on the Covid-IL since Sept. 17. Givens has not allowed a run in his last seven appearances for the Mets.
Dominic Smith, Deven Marrero, Álex Claudio, and Stephen Nogosek all have lockers at Citi Field. The Triple-A Syracuse Mets played their final game on Wednesday afternoon so these guys will hang around the team in case the Mets need a healthy player.
Mets were willing to move today’s game to 4 p.m. and then play tomorrow night in Atlanta, ahead of the weather. The Braves declined.
Let’s Go Mets!
