Saturday, May 26, 2018 • 4:10 p.m. (ET)
Citi Field • Flushing, N.Y.
LHP Jason Vargas (1-3, 9.87) vs. RHP Chase Anderson (4-3, 3.86)
SNY • WOR 710 AM • 104.3 WAXQ-FM HD 2 • ESPN 1050
Last night’s game was terrible, and hopefully the Mets can move on. On the positive side, Amed Rosario and Michael Conforto continued their offensive resurgence but the Mets scoring three runs (three comeback runs) wasn’t enough as the bullpen imploded in the 10th inning and allowed a walk-off walk. Now the Mets turn to Jason Vargas to get back on the winning path.
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo – LF
- Asdrubal Cabrera – 2B
- Wilmer Flores – 3B
- Jay Bruce – RF
- Michael Conforto – CF
- Devin Mesoraco – C
- Adrian González – 1B
- Jose Reyes – SS
- Jason Vargas – LHP
Brewers Lineup
- Lorenzo Cain – CF
- Christian Yelich – RF
- Ryan Braun – LF
- Jesus Aguilar – 1B
- Travis Shaw – 3B
- Hernan Perez – 2B
- Tyler Saladino – SS
- Erik Kratz – C
- Chase Anderson – RHP
On the season Jason Vargas is 1-3 over four games and 17.1 innings with a 9.87 ERA, 6.57 FIP, 2.077 WHIP and a 39 ERA+. His last start was by far the best of the season as he held the Marlins scoreless through five innings from two hits and a walk while striking out seven. The difference between last time out and his first three starts? Last time he hit his spots on the corners. In his first three starts he was missing spots on the edges, coming over the plate with not electric stuff. He doesn’t have the speed variance of a Bartolo Colon but if Vargas is going to be successful tonight, he is going to have to paint a Rembrandt. The Brewers have the following numbers against Vargas:
- Cain 2-for-11, 2 BB
- Saladino 1-for-9, 2 BB
- Thames 3-for-8, 2 2B
- Franklin 1-for-4, HR
- Braun 0-for-3
- Villar 1-for-3
The Mets bats will try to wake up against Chase Anderson, who is 4-3 over nine games and 51.1 innings with a 3.86 ERA, 6.01 FIP, 1.130 WHIP and 104 ERA+. He is coming off a good start after two bad starts. His last start he went six innings allowing two runs. Before that he allowed nine ER over 10.2 innings from 11 hits and six walks. One of his best starts of the year was against the Mets where he allowed one run over 6.1 innings off two hits and two walks while striking out five. The Mets have the following numbers against Anderson:
- Gonzalez 9-for-21, 2 2B, HR, 5 BB
- Bruce 1-for-17, BB, 9 K
- Frazier 0-for-10, BB (DL)
- Confortion 1-for-7, HR, BB
- Cabrera 1-for-7, BB
- Reyes 2-for-8
- Cespedes 2-for-5, 2B (DL)
- Mesoraco 1-for-2, HR
Notes
Devin Mesoraco has caught 91.2 innings since being acquired and the pitching staff has a 2.16 ERA (22 earned runs/91.2 innings) with him behind the plate. The Mets are 6-4 when he starts.
Brandon Nimmo is third in the majors with a .430 on-base percentage (min. 100 plate appearances). Mike Trout is first .449 and Mookie Betts is second .438.
In the team’s last six games, Mets starters have recorded a 1.22 ERA (five earned runs/37.0 innings). During that stretch, the starters have allowed 29 hits, issued seven walks and struck out 42. Three of the six outings have been scoreless. Mets starters have allowed one earned run or fewer in nine of their last 13 games dating to May 9. Overall, Mets starters rank eighth in the majors with 273 strikeouts.
Last night, Conforto collected his 150th RBI in his 312th career game. Only five other Mets began their major league career with 150 or more RBI in their first 312 games. David Wright (212 RBI), Darryl Strawberry (199), Ike Davis (170), Butch Huskey (162) and Steve Henderson (153).
Let’s Go Mets!
