Tuesday, August 21, 2018 • 7:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, N.Y.
RHP Chris Stratton (8-7, 5.52) vs. LHP Steven Matz (5-10, 4.60)
SNY • WOR 710 AM • 104.3 WAXQ-FM HD 2 • ESPN 1050 AM
Last night was another one for the book of “Mets Things That Happen to the Mets” as the Mets lost in the 13th inning due to an error that in most organizations would never happen. The Mets have been playing Dominic Smith out of position in left, partially due to Peter Alonso and Jay Bruce. The way things have gone down for him, in most places, just would not occur. The Mets are stretched incredibly thin in outfield depth as the team stays as healthy as an iPhone 5 in the hands of a three-year-old. Most organizations, after putting Dom in left, would give him ample playing time, the Mets have not treated him more like a comet that comes around every so often. So while this one was literally off Dom’s glove, it’s really on the front office’s hands.
On the positive side, Wheeler looks more and more impressive after tossing seven innings of one-run ball and now is getting the deGrom ace treatment of no runs.
Mets Lineup
1. Amed Rosario (R) SS
2. Jeff McNeil (L) 2B
3. Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
4. Michael Conforto (L) LF
5. Austin Jackson (R) CF
6. Jose Bautista (R) RF
7. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
8. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
9. Steven Matz (R) P
Giants Lineup
1. Andrew McCutchen (R) RF
2. Chase d’Arnaud (R) 2B
3. Evan Longoria (R) 3B
4. Nick Hundley (R) C
5. Austin Slater (R) 1B
6. Hunter Pence (R) LF
7. Gorkys Hernandez (R) CF
8. Alen Hanson (S) SS
9. Chris Stratton (R) P
The Mets will turn to Steven Matz tonight who is 5-10 over 22 starts and 109.2 innings with a 4.60 ERA, 4.97 FIP, 1.368 WHIP and 82 ERA+. His last start was his first off the DL and it didn’t go so well as he allowed six runs, four earned over two innings in the nightcap of a doubleheader in Philly. The Giants have the following numbers against him:
- d’Arnaud 1-for-6, K
- Belt 1-for-2, BB
- Crawford 2-for-3
- Hundley 1-for-3
- McCutchen 2-for-3
- Panik 1-for-3
- Pence 0-for-2
The Mets bats will face off against Chris Stratton who is 8-7 over 20 games and 19 starts logging 101 innings posting a 5.52 ERA, 4.68 FIP, 1.554 WHIP and 73 ERA+. His first two outings since returning to the majors have not been good as he has allowed nine runs over 4.1 innings from 13 hits and five walks. He does have potential though. In the first five games, 31 innings, of the season he had a 2.32 ERA. The only Met who has seen him in a game is Bautista who is 1-3 with a double against him.
Game Notes
New York is 10-12 in its last 22 home games and 12- 27 in their last 39 home games. Overall, the Mets are 24-38 at
home this year, the second-worst winning percentage (.387) in the National League, behind San Diego (.348).
According to Elias, this is the first time in team history that the Mets have not played Giants prior to the All-Star break. The Mets hit .346 against the Giants last season, their third-highest batting average against a team in one season. They hit .393 in three games against Detroit in 2011 and .355 in nine games vs. Colorado in 2000.
The Mets are ninth in the majors with 437 walks. Michael Conforto is ninth in the NL with 66 walks.
LHP Jerry Blevins has hurled 9.2 scoreless frames with 10 strikeouts dating to July 26. RHP Robert Gsellman has tossed 9.2 scoreless innings dating to August 2 and allowed two earned runs over his last 14.1 innings (1.26 ERA) with three saves since the All-Star break. RHP Drew Smith has tossed eight scoreless innings dating to July 31. LHP Daniel Zamora has begun his major league career with 2.2 scoreless innings over three games.
New York’s bullpen has allowed three earned runs in its last 21.0 innings (1.29 ERA). The pen has posted a 2.67 ERA (19 earned runs/64 innings) in August, the third-lowest mark in the majors this month.
Let’s Go Mets!
