Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Monday, May 17, 2021 • 7:20 P.M. EST
Truist Park • Atlanta, Georgia
RHP Miguel Castro (0-1, 3.38) vs. LHP Tucker Davidson (0-0, -.–)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM
The Mets continue to rack up the injuries. Early in the game last night Taijuan Walker left with side tightness. Sean Reid-Foley was able to step in for a solid relief outing and is a big reason why the Mets won the game, but Sean was probably going to be a major factor in tonight’s game.
The more worrisome injury happened later in the night when Kevin Pillar was hit by a pitch in the face. He walked off on his own accord but it was scary, for both teams, for everyone watching the sport where pitchers are throwing now with more velocity and less control.
On a tactical side, this means the Mets the are now without Conforto, Nimmo, Almora Jr., Pillar, McNeil, J.D. Davis, all who can play outfield. They are also without Luis Guillorme and have been without Jose Martinez all season. And these are just position player injuries.
The Mets are currently in a 40-man roster crunch with so many players on the 10-day IL.
Mets Lineup
- Jonathan Villar – 3B
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Dominic Smith – LF
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- Tomas Nido – C
- Jose Peraza – 2B
- Khalil Lee – RF
- Miguel Castro – RHP
- Johneshwy Fargas – CF
Braves Lineup
- Ronald Acuna Jr.– RF
- Freddie Freeman – 1B
- Marcell Ozuna – LF
- Ozzie Albies – 2B
- Dansby Swanson – SS
- Austin Riley – 3B
- William Contreras – C
- Guillermo Heredia – CF
- Tucker Davidson – LHP
As expected, the Mets are going with a bullpen game tonight, and Miguel Castro will be making his second start of the season serving as the opener.
In his first outing as an opener, Castro took the ball in the second game of a doubleheader against the Cardinals and tossed a scoreless inning of work. He last took the mound on Friday night against the Rays, so he should be good for at least an inning or two out there.
On the season, Castro has posted a 3.38 ERA and struck out 20 batters while walking just eight over 13 innings of work. As has been the case in most bullpen games for the Mets thus far, we should expect to see a heavy dose of lefty Joey Lucchesi, who is well rested.
Lucchesi has a 9.19 ERA over 15.2 innings so far this season. The first time he was used as a bulk pitcher it went well, he allowed one unearned run over 3.1 innings. Last time he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings.
The Mets bats will get a look at Tucker Davidson tonight, who is pitching in the majors for the first time in 2021. His one major league game on record came in late September last year. He pitched against the Red Sox and allowed seven runs, two earned, over 1.2 innings from three hits and four walks while striking out two.
In the minors this season he has made two starts, pitching 14.0 innings, allowing only one run from seven hits and three walks while striking out 14. Neither start was against the Syracuse Mets so no one on the Mets roster has seen Davidson in either a major league game or a minor league game this season.
Let’s Go Mets!
