The Mets will try to take the rubber game of their series with the Padres this afternoon at 4:10 PM at Petco Park. Zack Wheeler (5-8, 3.90 ERA) will oppose Odrisamer Despaigne (2-1, 1.35 ERA) for the Padres.
The Mets are looking to start up another win streak after their season-tying streak of four came to an end on Saturday. They are also looking to win their fifth series out of their last seven. In rubber games this season, the Mets are 5-3 (1-2 on the road).
New York boasts the third-best winning percentage in the majors. They are 20-9 in day games this year (.625) with Oakland (.649 24-13) and San Francisco (.632 24-14) the only other two teams ahead of them. David Wright also enjoys success during the day as his .319 batting average is good for ninth-best in the National League.
Offense early is key for the Mets this season. They have scored three or more runs in the first inning 11 times this season which is the most in the majors. Holding onto it or adding to it has been the issue. Their total of 65 first-inning runs is second-most in the majors behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
Zack Wheeler has allowed one run in each of his last three starts. He has also gone six innings or more allowing one or fewer eight times this year. This will be his second appearance at PETCO Park in his young career. His first was last August when he struck out a career-high 12 batters.
Lucas Duda is settling in and having a pretty nice little season. Currently he has reached base safely in 20 of his last 22 games, while hitting .309. He is seventh in the National League recording an RBI every 5.9 at-bats.
Defense win championships. Ok that might only be for football. The Mets are tied for the major league lead in outfield assists with the Oakland A’s. Both teams have recorded 27. New York has four players that have five or more assists which is the most in baseball.
Starting Lineup
- Curtis Granderson – RF
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Lucas Duda – 1B
- Travis d’Arnaud – C
- Bobby Abreu – LF
- Juan Lagares – CF
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Zack Wheeler – P
The Mets and Padres play the rubber game of the series today as the Mets just couldn’t get it done yesterday, snapping their winning streak. One of the things that have made the Mets successful of late though have been winning series, and they have an opportunity to win their 4th straight today as Zack Wheeler takes the mound. On the season he is 5-8 over 19 starts and 108.1 innings with a 3.90 ERA. In his last three starts he has a 2-0 record, recorded 19.1 innings of work with a 1.40 ERA. He faced the Padres earlier in the season allowing 4 ER over 5.0 innings. The Padres have the following numbers against him:
- Headley 2-5
- Venable 1-6
- Denorfia 2-3, 2B
- Smith 1-2
- Amarista 0-1
Despaigne makes his 5th start in his career today. So far he is 2-1 over 4 starts and 26.2 innings allowing only 4 ER, which is an ERA of 1.35 while striking out 12, walking 8. He missed the Mets earlier this season but pitched in 7 games overall in the minors before being called up pitching 31.1 innings with a 6.03 ERA. The 27 year-old Cuban National played 8 seasons in the Cuban National Series (05-12) before making his way over to the majors.
Lets Go Mets!
