This afternoon the Mets take on the Phillies trying to win the three game series with Jon Niese (5-8, 3.51) taking on rookie David Buchanan (6-5, 4.39).
In his last start, Niese lost his fourth straight start, dropping a 7-1 decision on August 6th against Washington
at Nationals Park. In that start, he tossed 6.0 innings, allowing eight hits and six earned runs, including two home runs. Niese needs a big day to stop the slide he’s been on for over a month.
The Mets are 10-5 in their last 15 games vs. NL East teams with 26 games left inside the division. The Mets are in the midst of 10 straight games against the division (currently 3-3) and overall are 26-24 in the NL East, including 14-14 on the road.
Juan Lagares is hitting .333 (12-36) with three doubles, one triple and four RBI this month and has at least one hit in eight of his 10 games in August, including three multi-hit efforts.
Lucas Duda extended his career-high with his 21st home run of the season, tied for the fourth-most in the NL. Duda has seven home runs since the All-Star break, tied for the second-most in the majors over that time, one behind Giancarlo Stanton.
Starting Lineup
- Curtis Granderson – RF
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Lucas Duda – 1B
- Juan Lagares – CF
- Matt den Dekker – LF
- Wilmer Flores – SS
- Anthony Recker – C
- Jonathon Niese – LHP
Yesterday was a tough game to watch. The Mets had a 6-1 lead at one point before it started to slip away. Wheeler left after the 6th with a 6-3 lead, Black allowed 2 more runs, after retiring the first two batters, Edgin got things back under control, but then Mejia blew the save. There was a mixture of bad calls and lackluster play from the Mets. Today the Mets look to take the series 3-1 behind Jon Niese as he takes on David Buchanan.
Jon Niese is 5-8 over 21 starts and 128.1 innings with a 3.51 ERA. It has been a struggle with for Niese in his last four starts going 0-4 over 25.0 innings with a 5.76 ERA. His one start against the Phillies this year was a good one as he allowed 2 ER over 8.0 innings. The Phillies have the following numbers against Niese:
- Rollins 11-50, 3 2B
- Utley 3-28
- Ruiz 10-27, 2 2B, HR
- Howard 4-24, HR
- Byrd 6-15, 2B, hR
Buchanan is 6-5 this season over 11 starts, 65.2 innings and a 3.49 ERA. The rookie pitcher was recently recalled to the majors, and in his first start back he allowed 3 ER over 6.1 innings. His second start of his career was against the Mets back in the end of May where the Mets got 4 runs, three earned over 7 hits and 6.2 innings of work. The Mets have the following numbers against him:
- Lagares 1-4, 2B
- Murphy 0-4
- Wright 1-4
- d’Arnaud 0-3
- Duda 1-3
- Flores 1-3
Lets Go Mets!
