The long All-Star break is finally over. The Mets look to continue where they left off, carrying over a three-game win streak into San Diego for the next three games against the Padres. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:10 PM at PETCO Park.
Bartolo Colon (8-8, 3.99), who has lost three straight, gets the nod in the series opener against the Padres’ Ian Kennedy (7-9, 3.47) who is 2-0 with an ERA of 0.86 in the month of July (3 starts).
The third place Mets are one win away from their season-high four-game win streak which they had earlier in July. They are 4-2-1 in their last seven series. The last time these two teams met was back in June, with the Mets taking two of three from the Padres.
Displaying some power, New York has hit 26 home runs in their last 25 games. That is the most in the National League in that span, and it is tied for fifth-most in the majors. The Mets also have 42 extra-base hits this month which is tied for the second-most in the National League, and fourth-most in the majors. Their .440 slugging percentage this month is also in the top five in the majors.
The Captain is picking the “Wright” time to get hot. David Wright has recorded a hit in 17 out of his last 19 games. He is hitting at a torrid clip of .375 (27-72) with four home runs and 15 RBI in his last 19 games. The Mets are 12-5 in Wright’s last 17 starts.
The Travis d’Arnaud turnaround has been something of a joy to watch. Prior to his demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas, d’Arnaud was hitting .180 with three home runs and nine RBI. Since his return on June 24th, 16 games, Travis is hitting .295 with three home runs and 10 RBI.
The Mets will be in good shape in the coming weeks if their starting pitching continues where they left off. In their last seven games, the starting staff has a record of 5-1 with an ERA of 1.80. The bullpen has held up their end as well throwing 10.1 scoreless in their last five.
Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia have allowed a combined three earned runs in their last 30 innings. Familia is tied for sixth in the National League in appearances with 44, and Mejia is 10-for-12 in save chances since the move to the bullpen in mid-May.
Starting Lineup
- Curtis Granderson – RF
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Lucas Duda – 1B
- Travis d’Arnaud – C
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis – LF
- Juan Lagares – CF
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Bartolo Colon – P
Another month, another west coast trip for the Mets (which is the result of when the NL East playing the AL West this year). Before the four day break, the Mets were on a roll with a 8-2 home stand and now look to take the fun to Petco Park. Colon starts off the second half for the Mets in a start that could be an audition for other teams. On the season he is 8-8 over 18 starts and 121.1 innings with a 3.99 ERA. After back to back starts allowing 5 ER each, he allowed 3 ER over 8.0 innings against the Braves in a losing effort. He faced the Padres earlier this year allowing 2 ER over 7.1 innings with 7 strikeouts. The Padres have the following numbers against Colon:
- Abreu 5-25, 2B, 2 HR
- Granderson 4-13, 2 HR
- Murphy 0-3
- Wright 1-3
- Duda 1-2
- Tejada 0-2
The Mets bats will get a crack at Ian Kennedy tonight, he is 7-9 on the season over 20 starts and 124.1 innings with a 3.47 ERA. He has made three starts in July with a 2-0 record over 21.0 innings with a 0.86 ERA and 22 K’s. Earlier this season he faced the Mets allowing 3 ER over 5.1 innings and 7 hits while striking out 7. The Mets have the following numbers against Kennedy:
- Wright 5-15, 2 2B, 2 HR
- E Young 2-14
- Murphy 3-12, 2B, HR
- Granderson 3-6, HR
- Recker 2-7, 2B
- Duda 1-6, 2B
- Abreu 2-5, 2B
Lets Go Mets!
