Friday, July 16, 2021 • 7:05 P.M.
PNC Park • Pittsburgh, PA
RHP Marcus Stroman (6-7, 2.75) vs. RHP Chad Kuhl (2-5, 4.73)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM
Second half baseball baby!
The Mets enter the second half of the year holding onto first place in the division! The Mets survived a first half filled with injuries, players stepping up, improbable wins and surprise cancellations. The season has been a roller coaster and defined by a team that genuinely likes each other and has fun on the field.
On a smaller scale – the Mets return exactly where they left off, playing the Pirates! The Mets and Pirates split a four game series before the All-Star break with the Mets having one of their worst losses of the season last Sunday.
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo – CF
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Dominic Smith – LF
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- Jeff McNeil – 2B
- Michael Conforto – RF
- Joanthan Villar – 3B
- James McCann – C
- Marcus Stroman – RHP
Marcus Stroman will start the Mets revenge tour against the Pirates. In 18 starts and 98.1 innings this season, Stroman has a 2.75 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 1.119 WHIP and a 142 ERA+. His last three starts have been rough – allowing 12 runs, eight earned, from 16 hits and four walks over 13.0 innings. This includes a start against Pittsburgh where he allowed three runs over five innings from five hits, including a homer from the opposing starting pitcher. The Pirates have the following numbers against him:
- Bryan Reynolds 4-5, 2B
- John Nogowski 1-2, 2B, K
- Michael Perez 3-5, 2B, BB
- Ben Gamel 4-10, 2B, BB, 2 K
- Adam Frazier 4-10
- Cole Tucker 0-2
- Jacob Stallings 0-2
- Wilmer Difo 0-2
- Kevin Newman 0-2
The Mets bats will kick off the second half against Chad Kuhl. Over 11 starts and 51 1/3 innings this year Chad has a 4.73 ERA, 5.35 FIP, 1.364 WHIP and an 87 ERA+. Chad missed the Mets before the All-Star break and is making his first start since July 6th where he allowed one run over six innings from four hits and no walks against the Braves. In his last four starts, he has a 2.42 ERA over 22 1/3 innings allowing exactly one run in three of those four starts. The Mets have the following numbers against him:
- Jose Peraza 4-10, 2 BB, K
- James McCann 1-4, BB
- Kevin Pillar 0-1, BB
- Jonathan Villar 2-11, BB, 4 K
- Michael Conforto 0-4, BB, K
- Billy McKinney 0-2
- Dominic Smith 0-2, 2 K
Game Notes
The Mets activated J.D. Davis from the injured list and designated Billy McKinney for assignment before the game.
The Mets game notes list Tylor Megill as their starter for Saturday and TBA for Sunday.
Let’s Go Mets!
