Wednesday, September 16, 2020 • 7:05 p.m.
Citizens Bank Park • Philadelphia, PA
RHP Jacob deGrom (4-1, 1.67) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (4-0, 2.47)
SNY • ESPN • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

Time is just about up for the New York Mets. If they are going to make a playoff run, tonight is a must-win game. Last night, things were going fine through the first three innings of the game and then Rick Porcello allowed two runs in back-to-back innings. The Mets just couldn’t recover from that and despite racking up 11 hits, the only run they scored came on a solo homer from Brandon Nimmo. Not a good night for the Amazin’s. But at least it’s Jacob deGrom day!

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  2. Michael Conforto – RF
  3. J.D. Davis – DH
  4. Dominic Smith – 1B
  5. Robinson Cano – 2B
  6. Todd Frazier – 3B
  7. Jeff McNeil – LF
  8. Andres Gimenez – SS
  9. Wilson Ramos – C

Phillies Lineup

  1. Andrew McCutchen – LF
  2. Bryce Harper – DH
  3. Alec Bohm – 1B
  4. Didi Gregorius – SS
  5. Jean Segura – 3B
  6. Andrew Knapp – C
  7. Scott Kingery – 2B
  8. Adam Haseley – RF
  9. Roman Quinn – CF

DeGrom has pitched 54 innings over nine starts this year with a 1.67 ERA (league-leading), 1.96 FIP, 0.870 WHIP, and a 259 ERA+. He also has a 13.2 K/9. In his last five starts he has allowed just four earned runs over 32 innings, pitching to a 1.13 ERA, while opponents have batted .157/.211/.252/.464 against him. This includes a start against the Phillies where he allowed one run over seven innings off three hits and two walks, while striking out 12. The Phillies have the following numbers against Jacob:

  • Andrew Knapp 3-8, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 BB, 3 K
  • Bryce Harper 11-36, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 BB, 12 K
  • Scott Kingery 1-8, HR, BB, 3 K
  • Andrew McCutchen 4-20, BB, 7 K
  • J.T. Realmuto 4-25, 2B, 9 K
  • Jean Segura 3-18, 5 K
  • Didi Gregorius 3-18, 4 K
  • Alec Bohm 0-3, 3 K

The Mets get to face Zack Wheeler. Again. In eight starts this season and 51 innings of work, Wheeler has a 2.47 ERA, 3.12 FIP, 1.098 WHIP and a 188 ERA+. The first time he faced the Mets, they scored two runs off six hits in seven innings. His last start was against the Mets and they hit him for three runs off eight hits over six innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Wheeler:

  • Pete Alonso 1-2
  • Robinson Cano 2-6, 2B, K
  • Robinson Chirinos 1-9, HR, 4 K
  • Michael Conforto 2-6, 2B, 3 K
  • J.D. Davis 2-6, 2B, K
  • Todd Frazier 0-2, K
  • Andres Gimenez 2-5, 2B
  • Wilson Ramos 5-17, 2B, K
  • Dominic Smith 2-6, 2B, 2 K

Game Notes

  • With only three starts left this season, Jacob deGrom needs to be on top of his game if he wants to win his third-straight Cy Young. For an update on the tightly-contested NL Cy Young race, check out this article from this morning.
  • Andrés Giménez is batting .371 (13-37) with nine runs, two doubles, two home runs, eight RBI, one walk and a .972 OPS over his last 13 games.
  • Michael Conforto has recorded a hit in 12 of his last 13 games, batting .393 (22-56) with 14 runs, five doubles, four home runs, 14 RBI, three walks and a 1.139 OPS in that span.
  • Jeff McNeil has recorded a hit in 15 of his last 17 games, batting .429/.493/.746, with 10 runs, eight doubles, four home runs, 13 RBI and seven walks.
  • Batting .331 on the season, McNeil is sixth in the NL in batting, tied with Dominic Smith. Conforto’s .341 batting average is the fifth-best mark in the league.

Let’s Go Mets!