Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Friday, September 17, 2021 • 7:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Zack Wheeler (13-9, 2.86 ERA) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (7-9, 4.29 ERA)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7

The Mets had a golden opportunity this week to close the wild card race against the Cardinals. Instead, the Mets got swept, fell below .500 and the season is in major jeopardy.

Tonight they welcome the Phillies to Queens and this is the make-or-break series of the season for the Mets. If they can sweep the Phillies, then they can keep the hope for the playoffs alive. If the Mets get swept, they will have to overcome a historic-sized mountain to make it into the post-season.

Mets Lineup

  1. Jonathan Villar – 3B
  2. Brandon Nimmo – CF
  3. Francisco Lindor – SS
  4. Pete Alonso – 1B
  5. Michael Conforto – RF
  6. Javier Baez – 2B
  7. Jeff McNeil – LF
  8. James McCann – C
  9. Taijuan Walker – RHP

Phillies Lineup

  1. Odubel Herrera – CF
  2. Jean Segura – 2B
  3. Bryce Harper – RF
  4. J.T. Realmuto – C
  5. Didi Gregorius – SS
  6. Freddy Galvis – 3B
  7. Brad Miller – 1B
  8. Matt Vierling – LF
  9. Zack Wheeler – RHP

Taijuan Walker gets the start for the Mets tonight. Over 27 games and 144.2 innings, Walker has a 4.29 ERA, 4.46 FIP, 1.189 WHIP, and a 93 ERA+.

September has been ugly for Walker – he’s allowed 11 earned runs off 12 hits and four walks in 10.1 innings of work.

This will be his fifth start against the Phillies season. In his previous four starts, he has allowed nine runs from 17 hits and six walks over 21.1 innings – a 3.80 ERA. The Phillies have the following career numbers against Walker:

  • J.T. Realmuto 2-6, HR, K
  • Ronald Torreyes 3-7, 2 2B, K
  • Jean Segura 3-8, HR, K
  • Bryce Harper 2-12, HR, BB, 2 K
  • Didi Gregorius 4-14, 2B, 2 K
  • Andrew McCutchen 2-11, 2B, 5 K
  • Brad Miller 0-6, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Freddy Galvis 0-5, BB, 2 K
  • Odubel Herrera 0-6, K
  • Matt Joyce 0-8, K

The Mets bats will get to face an old friend and Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler tonight. Wheeler has made 29 starts, pitching 195.1 innings (league-leading) with a 2.86 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 1.019 WHIP, and a 144 ERA+. He also leads the league in strikeouts (225), complete games (3), and complete game shutouts (2).

After Wheeler threw a complete-game shutout against the Mets in August, he had a rough go of it for four starts, allowing 21 runs, 19 earned, over 26.2 innings. Since then he has made two starts, allowing only one run over 12.2 innings. Overall this season he has faced the Mets four times, allowing only seven runs over 29.1 innings (2.15 ERA) while striking out 31 batters.

The Mets have the following numbers against Wheeler:

  • J.D. Davis 5-13, 2 2B, HR, 5 K
  • Jose Peraza 2-6, 2B, BB
  • Dominic Smith 8-20, 2B, 5 K
  • Francisco Lindor 3-9, 2B, K
  • Pete Alonso 5-15, 2B, 3 K
  • Michael Conforto 4-19, 2 2B, 2 BB, 6 K
  • James McCann 3-12, K
  • Jeff McNeil 3-17, BB, 5 K
  • Jonathan Villar 3-16, 4 K
  • Kevin Pillar 1-11, BB, 4 K
  • Javier Báez 1-10, 3 K

Game Notes

The Mets activated outfielder Brandon Nimmo from the injured list prior to tonight’s game, in a corresponding roster move right-hander Jake Reed has been optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse.

Nimmo is expected to hit in the second spot in the order for the time being with the success third baseman Jonathan Villar has enjoyed in the leadoff spot.

The Mets have also activated right-hander Jordan Yamamoto from the injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse, lefty Thomas Szapucki has been placed on the 60-day IL to clean a 40-man roster spot.

Right-hander Noah Syndergaard is excepted to throw to live hitters for the second time this weekend, the Mets have not decided if that will take place at Citi Field or he will go out on a rehab assignment yet.

Jacob deGrom played catch again at Citi Field this afternoon, he is expected to throw his second bullpen session in the coming days.

Let’s Go Mets!