Jun 20, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) throws the ball during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, July 3, 2021 • 1:05 P.M.
Yankee Stadium • Bronx
RHP Taijuan Walker (6-3, 2.38) vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery (3-2, 4.06)
WPIX • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

Let’s try that again!

The Mets and Yankees open up the Subway Series this afternoon after last night’s wash out. Yesterday’s game will be made up as part of a split double header tomorrow. The Mets and Yankees will both roll out the same pitching matchup this afternoon as originally scheduled for yesterday.

The surprise day off for the Mets comes as a bunch of players yesterday returned. Marcus Stroman came off the bereavement list, Brandon Nimmo was activated, Familia was ready to go and Nido was with the team. Although the doubleheader tomorrow makes the week more compact, the Mets need every day possible right now to get healthier. Also the Dodgers beat the Nationals last night which helps keep the pressure off.

Mets Lineup

  1. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  2. Francisco Lindor – SS
  3. Dominic Smith – 1B
  4. Pete Alonso – DH
  5. James McCann – C
  6. Michael Conforto – RF
  7. Kevin Pillar – LF
  8. Jeff McNeil – 2B
  9. Jose Peraza – 3B

Yankees Lineup

  1. DJ LeMahieu – 2B
  2. Aaron Judge – RF
  3. Gary Sanchez – C
  4. Giancarlo Stanton – DH
  5. Luke Voit – 1B
  6. Gleyber Torres – SS
  7. Gio Urshela – 3B
  8. Miguel Andujar – LF
  9. Brett Gardner – CF

Taijuan Walker looks to make the Mets forget about Thursday’s almost comeback. He has made 14 starts and pitched 79.1 innings this year with a 2.38 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 1.034 WHIP and a 161 ERA+. Walker is coming off a good game against the Phillies where he pitched 5.0 innings, allowing 3 hits and a walk while striking out 5. Walker faced the Yankees last year in back to back starts. in the first start he allowed 2 hits and walked 5 batters, but no one scored over 4.0 innings. In the second start he allowed 6 hits in 1.2 innings leading to 1 earned run and 7 unearned runs. The Yankees have the following numbers against Walker:

  • Gio Urshela 1-1, 2B
  • Miguel Andujar 2-2, 2B
  • Giancarlo Stanton 2-4, 2B, HR
  • Tyler Wade 1-1, 2 BB
  • Luke Voit 2-5, HR, K
  • Rougned Odor 6-13, HR, 2 K
  • DJ. LeMahieu 6-21, 2B, 3 BB, 4 K
  • Gleyber Torres 0-1, BB
  • Brett Gardner 1-5, K
  • Gary Sanchez 0-5, BB, K

The Mets bats will get a look at Jordan Montgomery today. Over 15 starts and 82.0 innings he has a 4.06 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.207 WHIP with a 106 ERA+. June has been interesting – he has a 3.77 ERA over 28.2 innings, allowing 15 runs, 12 earned over 28.2 innings. One of those starts was great, one was bad, two were average and one there were some errors behind him. When facing the Mets last year he allowed 3 runs, 2 earned over 5.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

  • James McCann 1-2, HR
  • Billy McKinney 1-1
  • Francisco Lindor 2-5, 2B, 2 K
  • Michael Conforto 1-3, K
  • Dominic Smith 0-2
  • Jose Peraza 1-5
  • Kevin Pillar 2-11, 3 K
  • Jeff McNeil 0-3, K
  • Pete Alonso 0-2, 2 K

Game Notes

David Peterson will likely be out eight weeks with an oblique strain, Luis Rojas said. The Mets also expect Carlos Carrasco to rejoin the team by late July or early August.

They’re also shooting for a September 1 return for Noah Syndergaard.

Let’s Go Mets!