Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday, September 15, 2022 • 7:20 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP JT Brubaker (3-11, 4.36) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (14-6 3.80)
FOX • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050

The roughest game preview articles to write follow inexplicable losses. The Mets on paper should not be swept by the Cubs. But it happened. Last night the Mets starting pitching faltered early and the bullpen was able to bail the Mets out. The offense, for the most part, was ice-cold again. It’s been a theme this week.

It’s Roberto Clemente Day across the league today and the Mets welcome the Pirates to Queens. The Pirates should be the focus on Clemente Day, I don’t understand how they can be on the road today, but I digress. Earlier this month the Mets swept both games of a doubleheader against the Pirates after dropping the series Opener. The Mets will look to channel that same energy from the doubleheader tonight as they open the four-game series.

Pirates Lineup

Carlos Carrasco, the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award winner, gets the start for the Mets. Over 25 games and 135 innings, Carrasco has posted a 3.80 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.304 WHIP, and a 103 ERA+. He has made two starts since returning from the injured list. His first start was forgettable – allowing five runs, one earned, over 2 2/3 innings. Last time out he held the Marlins to one run from four hits and no walks in six innings of work. The Pirates have the following career numbers against Carrasco:

Mets Lineup

The Mets bats will get a look at JT Brubaker tonight. Over 26 starts and 138 1/3 innings of work, Brubaker has a 4.36 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 1.424 WHIP, and a 96 ERA+. Over his last three games, he has pitched 18 innings allowing 12 runs, 11 earned, from 20 hits and five walks (5.50 ERA). If we expand the scope, it’s not that much better. In his last seven games, he has allowed 24 runs, 23 earned, over 38 1/3 innings, and a 5.40 ERA. The Mets have the following career numbers against Brubaker:

Game Notes

Today marks the 21st annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy as a humanitarian and to formally acknowledge club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award. As part of the league-wide celebration, The Mets and Major League Baseball are partnering with Rise Against Hunger to host a volunteer event at Citi Field with former Roberto Clemente Award winners before tonight’s game. Los Mets and Somos, the Latino employee resource groups from the Mets and MLB, will also be in attendance to help pack over 10,000 meals that will be distributed to Central America, South America and Africa.

The Mets Roberto Clemente Nominee, James McCann, will be honored on the field before tonight’s game for his outstanding efforts in the community. McCann, a first-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee, has been a prominent figure in the New York City community during his two seasons with the Mets, dedicated to helping families with children receiving care in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Buck Showalter says that David Peterson has been officially moved to the bullpen and could be available as soon as Friday.

Max Scherzer feels good after his rehab start on Wednesday and is in line to start on Monday.

Make sure to read our Series Preview!

Let’s Go Mets!