Tuesday, July 24, 2018 • 7:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, N.Y.
LHP Eric Lauer (5-6, 4.87) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (3-6, 4.44)
SNY • WOR 710 AM • 104.3 WAXQ-FM HD 2 • ESPN 1050
Last night was another frustrating night for the Mets as they got another great start from Jacob deGrom but the offense fell flat and one error in the outfield led to what became the deciding run. For positives, since the season has basically became Spring Training: Amed Rosario looked good. He dropped a perfect bunt, got a stolen base which changed the defensive alignment of the Padres. Flores hit the ball right up the midfield and brought him in. Next frame, Rosario made an amazing defensive play. Lets see if he can build off that tonight.
Mets Lineup
1. Amed Rosario (R) SS
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) 2B
3. Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
4. Jose Bautista (R) RF
5. Michael Conforto (L) LF
6. Devin Mesoraco (R) C
7. Brandon Nimmo (L) CF
8. Phillip Evans (R) 3B
9. Zack Wheeler (L) P
Padres Lineup
1. Manuel Margot (R) CF
2. Carlos Asuaje (L) 2B
3. Wil Myers (R) LF
4. Eric Hosmer (L) 1B
5. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
6. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
7. Christian Villanueva (R) 3B
8. Austin Hedges (R) C
9. Eric Lauer (R) P
Wheeler will get the start tonight in what is starting to look like audition for other teams. He is 3-6 over 18 games and 107.1 innings with a 4.44 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.342 WHIP and 86 ERA+. In his last start against the Nationals he allowed four runs but he also pitched 7.2 innings. In his last four starts he has allowed nine runs over 25.2 innings where he has posted a 3.16 ERA. Earlier this season he allowed two runs over five innings against the Padres. The Padres have the following numbers against Wheeler:
- Galvis 2-for-8
- Hosmer 2-for-5, BB
- Ellis 1-for-4
- Margot 1-for-3
- Villanueva 0-for-2, BB
The Mets bats will get a look at rookie Eric Lauer who is 5-6 over 16 games and 77.2 innings with a 4.87 ERA, 4.59 FIP, 1.674 WHIP and 82 ERA+. Lauer was supposed to start last night but got pushed back a day. He is coming off a rough start against the Cubs where he allowed five runs over two innings. Before that he had an impressive streak where he went 2-1 over 30.2 innings in five games with a 1.76 ERA with only one terrible start (before that streak his ERA was 6.20). This will be his first game against the Mets.
Notes
Brandon Nimmo is the Mets Heart & Hustle Award recipient. The Award is given out annually by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association to a player who not only excels on the field, but also best embodies the values, spirits and traditions of baseball. The Heart and Hustle Award is the only MLB award voted on by former players. Former players from each of the 30 clubs select one player from each team. The final winner will be announced on Nov. 8, 2018 at the 19th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City.
LHP Anthony Kay, the Mets first-round pick in 2016, tossed six innings and didn’t allow an earned run for St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League last night vs. Clearwater. Kay has posted a 1.42 ERA (four earned runs/25.1 innings) in four starts for St. Lucie. He is 6-6 with a 3.71 ERA (39 earned runs/94.2 innings) and 97 strikeouts in 17 combined starts with Columbia (A) of the South Atlantic League and St. Lucie.
Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch last night and has been hit 16 times this year, extending his single-season franchise record. Lucas Duda held the old mark getting hit 14 times in 2015. Nimmo leads the majors in HBP.
Michael Conforto is 5-for-10 (.500) with four RBI in three games since the All-Star break. Over his last seven games, Conforto is hitting .364 (8-for-22) with two home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored and a .483 OBP. Conforto has a 15.0 percent walk-rate, the eighth-best in the majors.
Let’s Go Mets!
