Max Scherzer. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 • 7:20 PM
Truist Park • Atlanta, Georgia
RHP Max Scherzer (5-2, 3.21) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (5-6, 3.62)
SNY

The Mets look to break their four-game losing streak tonight as they take on Atlanta for game two of their series. Last night, the Braves got on the board in the second inning and the Mets immediately responded by hitting two, two-run homers in the top of the third. The Mets would eventually give the lead back though in the 6th innings, and the offense couldn’t be bothered to produce any more runs.

Can the Mets offense break through the struggles tonight?

Mets Lineup

The Mets turn to Max Scherzer to right the ship tonight. In nine starts (47 2/3 innings) Scherzer has a 3.21 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 1.091 WHIP and a 129 ERA+. In his last four starts, for former Cy Young winner has tossed 25 innings allowing only four runs, three earned, leading to a 1.08 ERA (2.16 FIP) while striking out 28 batters. He’s pitched seven innings in back to back starts. Last season he pitched 26 innings over four games against the Braves with a 3.12 ERA. The Braves have the following career numbers against him:

Braves Lineup

The Mets bats will face off against the ageless Charlie Morton this evening. Over 11 starts (64 2/3 innings) Morton has a 3.62 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 1.438 WHIP and a 123 ERA+. His last two starts have gone about the same as his season numbers, allowing five runs over 12 1/3 innings from 13 hits and four walks while striking out 18 batters. In four starts against the Mets last year, he allowed 13 runs, 12 earned from 25 hits and eight walks over 21 2/3 innings (4.98 ERA). Morton also pitched against the Mets back on May 1 where he gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings while striking out three.

The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

Game Notes

The Mets enter Wednesday on a four-game skid that has sent them back under .500 on the season. They are 6.5 games behind Atlanta for the NL East-lead and two games back of Pittsburgh for the final National League Wild Card spot. If this team wants to stay within striking distance of the division, winning at least one of the next two games is absolutely critical.

Pete Alonso and the Braves engaged in a little trash talk battle on Tuesday night. After Alonso appeared to suggest that Bryce Elder “throw it again” after he launched his 22nd home run of the year, Tyler Matzek appeared to give it back to the Mets after Atlanta took the lead. It will be interesting to see what the intensity is tonight and if Alonso looks to respond with yet another bomb.

The Syracuse Mets and Binghamton Rumble Ponies both had their games postponed on Wednesday due to poor air quality in the northeast. The Yankees and Phillies also postponed home games. The Mets don’t return home until June 13, but will be in Pittsburgh starting on Friday.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Strikeouts continue to stifle the Mets offense. Yesterday, we talked about how the Mets have three consecutive games with double digit strikeouts as a team. They did it again yesterday with Brandon Nimmo, Daniel Vogelbach, and Starling Marte each having  multiple-strikeout days. Vogelbach fared the worst going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. The Mets need to figure this out.
  2. Can the Mets score from anything other than a homer? I love home runs. This is not a knock on the Mets finding power after they went weeks without hitting a homerun. Last night was the second game in a row when all the Mets runs came on homers. On Sunday, the Mets hit four solo homers. Last night they hit two, two-run homers. Sometimes, though, you need a good, small-ball rally for crooked numbers on the scoreboard and to make the other team work a little.
  3. Most of the Mets bullpen is ready to go tonight. The Mets used Adam Ottavino and Drew Smith last night (both gave up a run). David Robertson and Brooks Raley are well-rested though, as they haven’t pitched since Saturday. It’s getting to the point that one or both of them may be used tonight even if game script doesn’t dictate it.

Let’s go Mets!