Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 • 7:20 P.M.
Truist Park • Atlanta, Georgia
LHP David Peterson (1-3, 4.86) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (2-2, 5.08)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM
The Mets have a chance at the sweep tonight!
Going into Monday’s game, a series win would have been enough. After Monday’s game, having two more Mets get injured, surviving the series would have been enough.
The Mets go into tonight’s game after a full bullpen game where the team battled the whole night to earn a series victory. The pitching was great. The hitters scratched out enough runs. The team supported each other and even though the Braves were able to tie the game heading into the ninth inning, the Mets were still able to capture the win.
Now the Mets look to repeat the magic tonight before a much needed off-day.
Mets Lineup
- Jonathan Villar – 3B
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Cameron Maybin – LF
- Dominic Smith – 1B
- James McCann – C
- Jose Peraza – 2B
- Johneshwy Fargas – CF
- Khalil Lee – RF
- David Peterson – P
Braves Lineup
- Ronald Acuna Jr. – RF
- Freddie Freeman – 1B
- Marcell Ozuna – LF
- Ozzie Albies – 2B
- Austin Riley – 3B
- Dansby Swanson – SS
- William Contreras – C
- Guillermo Heredia – CF
- Charlie Morton – P
Tonight, David Peterson looks to build off his strong start in Tampa last Friday. Over seven starts and 33 1/3 innings pitched, Peterson has a 4.86 ERA, 4.36 FIP, 1.260 WHIP and a 79 ERA+.
His WHIP is nearing the mark he set last year, but his FIP is actually better. Peterson’s K/9 and BB/9 are also both better than last year. What’s crushing him this year is homers. He gave up 0.9 HR/9 last year and that is up to 1.6 this year. This trend is certainly not promising, especially since he is facing a homer-hitting team tonight.
In Peterson’s last start, he allowed two runs over 7 1/3 innings from four hits and two walks while striking out nine. Last year, Peterson faced the Braves twice. He allowed three runs over six innings the first time, before rebounding in his second start against Atlanta, holding them to just one run across six innings pitched.
The Braves have the following numbers against him:
- Johan Camargo 1-3, HR
- Austin Riley 2-4, 2 2B, 2 K
- Ronald Acuna Jr. 0-3, 3 BB
- Dansby Swanson 1-5, 3 K
- Marcell Ozuna 0-5, BB, 3 K
- Ozzie Albies 0-3
- Freddie Freeman 0-6, 4 K
The Mets bats will face Charlie Morton tonight, who got an extra day of rest this time through the rotation – the Braves are hoping the extra rest puts him back on track.
Morton made his debut with the Braves back in 2008 and was traded the following January with other prospects for Nate McLouth. He stayed in Pittsburgh for a while, then bounced between Philly, Houston and Tampa Bay before making his homecoming at age 37 this year.
Over eight starts and 39.0 innings pitched, Morton has a 5.08 ERA, 4.07 FIP, 1.436 WHIP, and a 86 ERA+.
In his last four starts he has allowed 18 runs, 12 earned, over 16.0 innings. This includes a start where he recorded only two outs and allowed six unearned runs from four hits and two walks.
The Mets have the following numbers against him:
- Dominic Smith 1-2, HR, K
- Jose Peraza 1-2
- Jonathan Villar 2-8, 4 K
- Francisco Lindor 2-16, 2 2B, 5 K
- Wilfredo Tovar 0-2, K
- Cameron Maybin 3-6, 2B
Game Notes
- For the first time this season, Pete Alonso will get a day off. He has started all 36 games for the Mets at first base.
- Dominic Smith returns to his natural position of first base for the first time this year, replacing Alonso.
- Cameron Maybin will make his Mets debut tonight, marking the 11th team he has played for in his 14-year career.
Let’s Go Mets!
