Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Friday, August 26, 2022 • 7:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Chad Kuhl (6-7, 5.16) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (11-7, 3.26)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050
Yesterday we said all it would take to feel like the Mets are on track is a win – and that’s exactly what happened! The Mets beat the Rockies in the series opener last night behind a strong Jacob deGrom start, great bullpen outings and usage, and some timely offense by Pete Alonso.
Last night was also the Mets 80th win of the season. A win tonight not only guarantees a series split, it also prevents the Mets from having a losing season!
Mets Lineup
Back in black tonight! #LGM pic.twitter.com/qgGaitIvej
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) August 26, 2022
Rockies Lineup
#Rockies lineup in Game Two versus the Mets and Chris Bassitt.
Kuhl makes first start since IL stint, while Díaz, Bernard and Joe start after resting last night.
Montero sits for second-straight game and third time in fours games. pic.twitter.com/EiR5xijenE
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) August 26, 2022
Chris Bassitt looks the lead the Mets to victory tonight. Over 23 starts and 141 innings this year, Bassitt has a 3.26 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.128 WHIP and a 121 ERA+. In his last four starts he has tossed 26 innings allowing only three runs, two earned while striking out 21 batters (0.69 ERA, 2.32 FIP). The Rockies have the following career numbers against him:
- José Iglesias 1-12, 2B, 2 BB, 2 K
- C.J. Cron 0-6, 2 K
- Randal Grichuk 3-6, K
- Charlie Blackmon 1-3
The Mets bats will get a look at Chad Kuhl tonight. Over 20 starts and 103 innings, Kuhl has a 5.16 ERA, 5.22 FIP, 1.524 WHIP and an 89 ERA+. At the end of June, Kuhl tossed a complete game shutout against the Dodgers in Colorado. He has made six starts since then, allowing 31 runs, 29 earned, over 25 2/3 innings. Obviously this completely blew up his 3.49 ERA through the first three months of the season.
After his last start on August 3rd (nine runs over five innings) the Rockies placed him on the injured list with a hip strain. Tonight is his first start since his injury. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Daniel Vogelbach 1-6, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
- James McCann 1-6, BB
- Tyler Naquin 2-6, 2 HR, K
- Francisco Lindor 1-3
- Starling Marte 1-3
- Brandon Nimmo 0-1, 2 BB
- Pete Alonso 0-0, 2 BB
- Jeff McNeil 1-2
- Darin Ruf 1-2
Game Notes
Pete Alonso socked the 137th home run of his career last night. He did it in his 495th career games. Only Ryan Howard (153) and Aaron Judge (138) have hit more home runs through their first 500 career games. He is tied for fifth in MLB history in home runs through a player’s first four career seasons.
New York has won 80 games this season, second-most in the NL and third-most in the majors. Their .635 winning percentage is third in the majors and is the second-best in the NL. The team has posted a 80-46 record through the team’s first 126 games. Only the 1986 (84-42) team posted a better record through the first 126 games of the season.
Tylor Megill threw a bullpen session with batters standing in today for the first time since straining his right shoulder. The plan is live BP on Monday followed by — assuming all goes well — a rehab assignment next week.
Tommy Hunter has been added to the roster and catcher Michael Perez has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
Let’s Go Mets!
