Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Monday, May 31, 2021 • 9:40 P.M.
Chase Field • Phoenix, Arizona
RHP Jacob deGrom (3-2, 0.80) vs. RHP Merrill Kelly (2-5, 4.84)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

If you only play one game in a three-game series, and you win that one game, do you get the sweep?

That was a question for the Mets to ponder Sunday night as they flew from New York to Arizona after a rain-soaked weekend postponed two games against the Atlanta Braves. The Mets won in a rout on Saturday, flipping their run differential into positive territory, and thanks to the rain, the injured club got to rest. Now, the Mets head into Arizona to face a team they swept earlier this month, and they’re also 1-9 over their last 10 games (their one win coming Sunday). New York also expects to activate Pete Alonso, Seth Lugo, and Kevin Pillar on Monday. The band is getting back together!

Mets Lineup

  1. Jonathan Villar — 3B
  2. Francisco Lindor — SS
  3. Pete Alonso — 1B
  4. Dominic Smith — LF
  5. James McCann — C
  6. Billy McKinney — RF
  7. Jose Peraza — 2B
  8. Mason Williams — CF
  9. Jacob deGrom — P

Diamondbacks Lineup

  1. Josh Rojas — SS
  2. Ketel Marte — CF
  3. Eduardo Escobar — 3B
  4. David Peralta — LF
  5. Carson Kelly — C
  6. Pavin Smith — 1B
  7. Josh Reddick — RF
  8. Domingo Leyba — 2B
  9. Merrill Kelly — P

Jacob deGrom gets the start after an extra day of rest. He’s pitched 45.0 innings over seven starts with a 0.80 ERA, 1.17 FIP, 0.60 WHIP, and a 478 ERA+. In his first start back from the IL, he was limited to 63 pitches over five innings but allowed only one run from three hits and no walks while striking out nine. Because his season has been so dominant, that start raised his ERA. His only other start in May was against the Diamondbacks, where he allowed one run over five innings from one hit and three walks while striking out six. Arizona the following numbers against him:

  • Stephen Vogt 1-5, 2B, 2 K
  • David Peralta 1-6, BB, 2 K
  • Josh Rojas 1-5, 2 K
  • Eduardo Escobar 1-7, BB, 3 K
  • Nick Ahmed 1-10, 2B, 3 K
  • Carson Kelly 0-3, K
  • Christian Walker 0-7, 3 K
  • Ketel Marte 0-9, 4 K

Merrill Kelly has made 10 starts and pitched 57.2 innings this year with a 4.84 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, and a 85 ERA+. He’s allowed either two or three runs in all five of his starts this month, so he’s been fairly consistent. His worst start, though, was against the Mets where he allowed three runs (two earned), three hits (one home run), and five walks over 5.2 innings. You probably remember the homer. It was Jeff McNeil and he brought home Francisco Lindor. You know the one. Anyway, the Mets have the following numbers against Kelly:

Let’s Go Mets!