Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday, June 19, 2021 • 1:05 P.M.
Nationals Park • Washington, D.C.
LHP David Peterson (2-5, 5.60) vs. RHP Joe Ross (3-6, 4.19)
WPIX • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM
For the last two days the Mets offense has disappeared! The Mets are hoping to find their bats today as they face the Nationals for the rare day/night doubleheader this season.
Yesterday the Mets and Nationals were scoreless until the 9th inning, and while the blame is falling on Edwin Diaz, the offense hadn’t scored in two games. That’s where the blame should go. Slumps happen, and this isn’t the first time the Mets who have done incredible things with their roster, have found themselves in a team-wide slump. They got two shots today to turn it around!
Mets Lineup
- Jonathan Villar – 3B
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Dominic Smith – LF
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- Billy McKinney – RF
- Luis Guillorme – 2B
- Mason Williams – CF
- Tomas Nido – C
- David Peterson – LHP
Nationals Lineup
- Kyle Schwarber – LF
- Trea Turner – SS
- Juan Soto – RF
- Josh Bell – 1B
- Josh Harrison – 2B
- Starlin Castro – 3B
- Alex Avila – C
- Victor Robles – CF
- Joe Ross – RHP
David Peterson starts Game 1 for the Mets, coming off of a great start his last time out. A lot today is riding on his start – depending on how deep he goes and who is needed in-relief will determine who starts game 2. (I’m also writing this article before 8 in the morning, so it’s more than possible that the Mets name the game 2 starter before game 1).
Over 12 starts and 53.0 innings, Peterson has a 5.60 ERA, 4.74 FIP, 1.396 WHIP and a 69 ERA+. In his last start against the Cubs he allowed no runs on 1 hit and 2 walks over 6.0 innings, his best start of the season. He also enjoyed pitching against the Nationals last year, holding them to 2 runs, 1 earned, over 12.0 innings from 5 hits and a 3 walks while striking out 7. The Nationals have the following numbers against him:
- Josh Harrison 2-2
- Jordy Mercer 1-1, BB
- Juan Soto 1-3, 2B
- Starlin Castro 0-1, BB
- Yan Gomes 1-5
- Trea Turner 0-5, BB
- Luis Garcia 0-3, K
- Victor Robles 0-2
The Mets bats will get a look at Joe Ross tonight. Joe has started 12 games and pitched 62.1 innings with a 4.19 ERA, 4.93 FIP, 1.251 WHIP and a 90 ERA+. He’s coming off of a fantastic game where he pitched 8.0 innings allowing no runs from 5 hits and no walks. This was right after a start where he allowed no earned runs (but 4 unearned runs) over 6.0 innings. Those two starts dropped his ERA from 5.40. He made one start against the Mets this year where he allowed 1 run over 6.0 innings from 5 hits and a walk. The Mets have the following career stats on Ross:
- Francisco Lindor 3-6, 2B, HR, K
- Pete Alonso 2-5, BB, 2 K
- Kevin Pillar 1-2
- Dominic Smith 2-7, HR, 2 K
- Jose Peraza 1-5, BB, K
- James McCann 1-5
- Jonathan Villar 0-1
- Brandon Drury 0-2, K
Game Notes
The Mets have not scored in their last 21 innings. The team has been shut out only three times in Mets history, most recently from July 25-27, 1992.
Mets starting pitchers have posted quality starts in six of their last nine games, with a 1.20 ERA and 69 strikeouts compared to eight walks in that span.
Aaron Loup has recorded nine consecutive scoreless appearances, allowing three hits and striking out 10 in eight innings, bringing his season ERA down to 1.86.
Let’s Go Mets!
