Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Friday, September 16, 2022 • 7:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Mitch Keller (5-10, 4.01) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (11-4, 3.48)
WPIX • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050
The New York Mets are back!
The Mets took the series opener 7-1 last night against the Pirates behind good pitching and good hitting. Now the Mets are looking to string together a few wins in a row to keep chipping away at their magic number for the playoffs.
Tonight’s start is a bit of revenge start of sorts for Taijuan Walker. This season Walker has made 25 starts totaling 134 2/3 innings with a 3.48 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 1.203 WHIP and a 112 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a strong start against the Marlins where he held Miami to one run over seven innings from five hits and no walks while striking out 10.
Pirates Lineup
Friday night baseball.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/5PgfgyATFO
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 16, 2022
Before that start Walker faced the Pirates in Pittsburgh. He did better than last year but still it wasn’t great. He allowed four runs from six hits and two walks over five innings. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Walker:
- Bryan Reynolds 2-6, BB
- Ben Gamel 1-3, 3 BB
- Ke’Bryan Hayes 0-5, K
- Kevin Newman 2-4, BB
- Michael Chavis 1-3
- Oneil Cruz 2-3, 2B
The Mets bats draw Mitch Keller tonight. Over 27 games, 25 starts this season, Keller has tossed 137 innings with a 4.01 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.409 WHIP and a 105 ERA+. Keller has been on a role over his three starts, allowing only two runs in 19 innings from 11 hits and seven walks while striking out 18 batters (0.95 ERA, 3.16 FIP). Before he was on this run, he allowed 15 runs, 9 earned, over three starts and 11 innings (7.36 ERA, 4.57 FIP).
Mets Lineup
Here's a look at tonight's lineup as the Mets look to take another game from the Pirates. #LGM pic.twitter.com/pGBoZDwjbs
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 16, 2022
The Mets faced him at the beginning of the month and he shut the Mets out over six innings, scattering five hits and two walks. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Tyler Naquin 4-10, 3 2B, 4 K
- Francisco Lindor 1-2, 4 BB
- Pete Alonso 0-3
- Jeff McNeil 0-3
- Brandon Nimmo 0-2
- Daniel Vogelbach 0-2, BB, K
- Mark Canha 1-2, K
- Eduardo Escobar 1-2
- James McCann 1-2
- Darin Ruf 0-2, K
Game Notes
Joey Lucchesi gets the start and is expected to go three innings for Triple-A Syracuse tonight as he continues his rehab assignment. Right-handers Tylor Megill and Drew Smith are also scheduled to pitch in the game.
The names of the nine-player contingent that the Mets are sending to the Arizona Fall League have been released.
Francisco Lindor set the Mets record for home runs by a shortstop in a single season on Thursday night when he hit his 24th. He also set a new career-high with 94 RBI this year.
Let’s Go Mets!
