Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, September 12, 2021 • 8:08 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Clark Schmidt vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (1-2, 5.88)
ESPN • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

The Mets and Yankees play the rubber game in a nationally televised game Sunday after the Mets couldn’t capitalize Saturday and lost 8-7.

The Mets started out rough Saturday thanks to a five-run second inning for the Yankees. After that fairly major setback, Taijuan Walker was able to settle in and keep the Yankees off the scoreboard. The Mets bats were able to claw back in and took the lead 6-5 before extending it to 7-5. But then the Yankees rallied and took the lead 8-7. Despite getting additional runners on base in the last two innings, the Mets could not bring them in.

Mets Lineup

Carlos Carrasco gets the start for the Mets on Sunday.

Over eight games and 33 2/3 innings, he has a 5.88 ERA, 4.50 FIP, 1.277 WHIP and a 68 ERA+. In his last start, he allowed four runs but only one was earned over five innings from seven hits and a walk. In his last three starts, he has allowed nine runs (six earned) over 17 1/3 innings (3.12 ERA). This will be Carrasco’s first start against the Yankees this year, and the Yankees have the following career numbers against him:

Yankees Lineup

Clark Schmidt will make his 2021 baseball debut on Sunday. Last year, he pitched in three games for the Yankees, logging 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and five walks (7.11 ERA). Across four minor league levels this year, he has gotten into eight games and pitched 27 1/3 innings with a 2.96 ERA and 1.244 WHIP. He has spent the most time at Triple-A, where he has a 3.00 ERA over four games.

Aaron Boone said both Schmidt and Andrew Heaney could see time in this game, though. Heaney was traded from the Angels to the Yankees at the trading deadline. As a Yankee, he has pitched in nine games, making five starts with 30 1/3 innings of work. He’s posted a 7.71 ERA, 7.02 FIP, 1.319 WHIP and a 56 ERA+. The main difference between his time with the Angels and Yankees is the long ball. As an Angel, Heaney allowed 1.5 HR per nine innings. As a Yankee, that number has ballooned to 3.3 HR per nine. He hasn’t started a game since August 24, when he allowed two runs over four innings against the Braves.

Game Notes

Luis Rojas said Jacob deGrom “may” throw from the mound this week while continuing his rehab. There are three weeks left in the season.

Let’s go Mets!