Tylor Megill. Photo by: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, April 23, 2023 • 7:10 PM
Oracle Park • San Francisco, California
RHP Tylor Megill (3-1, 3.00) vs. RHP Ross Stripling (0-1, 7.30)
ESPN

The New York Mets finally end their long, west coast trip tonight as they take on the San Francisco Giants one more time on ESPN. For the Mets, winning tonight determine whether they finish this road trip 8-2 or 7-3. It also determines if they will win their fifth consecutive series of the season.

The only other time the Mets have won eight games on a road trip to the West Coast was in 1986 when the Mets went 8-1 out west. While the percentage is an impossible feat for the Mets to match right now, they could tie the win total.

Mets Lineup:

Tylor Megill has made four starts and pitched 21 innings for the Mets this year with a 3.00 ERA, 5.79 FIP, 1.429 WHIP and a 138 ERA+. In his last start, he allowed three runs from seven hits (two home runs) over five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, picking up his first loss of the season.

Megill faced the Giants once last year and they were able to get four runs over six innings via seven hits and two walks. The Giants have the following career numbers against Megill:

Giants Lineup:

Ross Stripling, the right-handed pitcher, returns to the rotation for the Giants this evening. Stripling signed with the Giants this year to fortify their rotation and struggled out of the gate. San Francisco pivoted by putting him in the bullpen and now, after a good outing, he’s on his way back to the rotation.

On the season, he has pitched in four games, one start, totaling 12 1/3 innings with a 7.30 ERA, 8.79 FIP, 1.459 WHIP and a 61 ERA+. Most of his negative statistics coming his first two outings. He allowed four runs over five innings against the New York Yankees, including three homers, to start the season. Stripling also allowed four runs, including two home runs, in 1 2/3 innings of relief against the Kansas City Royals.

Since then, he has allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings while striking out nine batters. The Mets have the following career numbers against Ross:

Game Notes

Per Will Sammon of the Athletic, Justin Verlander tossed three innings, 43 pitches in a simulated game today in Port St. Lucie. The plan remains for him to throw a minor-league rehab game on Friday. Buck Showalter said that one such start should be enough. So, if all goes right, he’d line up to return in Detroit.

The Atlanta Braves were swept by the Houston Astros this weekend and have now lost four in a row. The Mets can return to first place in the NL East with a win tonight.

New York will play its 17th road game tonight, the most in the majors. The next closest National League team is Milwaukee and Philadelphia, who have played 13 road contests this season.

Pete Alonso is the first player in Mets’ history with 10 home runs before May 1.

Brandon Nimmo leads the major leagues with a 1.6 fWAR. Pete Alonso is 15th in the majors and ninth in the NL with a 1.1 fWAR. Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor is 17th in the majors and 10th in the NL with a 1.1 fWAR.

Over the last seven games, Jeff McNeil has batted .440 (11-for-25) with five runs, two doubles, a home run, three RBIs, three walks, a .533 OBP and a .640 SLG. McNeil has raised his season batting average from .212 to .286 during this span.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Brett Baty: Baty had his first multi-hit game of the season yesterday going 2-for-4, scoring a run and knocking one in as well. In his last two games, on back-to-back days, he’s gone 3-for-9 with three strikeouts. Is the start of something?
  2. The Bullpen Savior: After Peterson’s rough start yesterday Edwin Uceta made his Mets debut. He tossed 51 pitches over three scoreless and hitless innings to close out the game. First off, what a strong outing by a young player in their first game for the Mets’ organization. Secondly, he saved the rest of the bullpen giving everyone the day off. The Mets finally have a day off tomorrow as well so players are getting some much needed rest. Drew Smith and Jeff Brigham enter tonight’s game on two day’s rest. Adam Ottavino, David Robertson and Jimmy Yacabonis enter tonight’s game with three days of rest.
  3. Brandon Nimmo’s Excellent Road Trip: Over nine games during this road trip, Nimmo has hit four doubles and two home runs among his 19 total hits. He’s slashing .487/.535/.744. He’s not just one of the best hitters on the Mets, he’s one of the best hitters in the league this season.