Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets (24-20 , first place in the National League’s eastern division) continue their seven-game home stand this weekend with three games at Citi Field against manager Brian Snitker‘s Atlanta Braves (24-25, third place in the National League’s eastern division).
The Mets are coming off a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies, in which they won three-of-four. The Braves split two games with the Red Sox at Fenway Park in their most recent series.
The Mets are battling through injuries and managing to remain afloat with a lineup that features just Francisco Lindor, James McCann, and Dominic Smith from their opening day lineup. Players such as Brandon Drury, Cameron Maybin, and Billy McKinney have been pressed into service. McCann has played first base, a position that he had never played professionally. Yet, the Mets sit atop the division.
The Braves, three-time defending division champions, have underperformed thus far. They have also been bitten by the injury bug, as they’re without Mike Soroka (since August of last season), Travis d’Arnaud, and Marcell Ozuna, who recently landed on the injured list with broken fingers.
The Memorial Day weekend forecast for the series does not look good. If current projections hold, Friday night’s game is in serious jeopardy, Saturday night’s game should be played, and Sunday night’s game is at best questionable.
Let’s take a look at the projected pitching matchups for the series.
Friday , May 28, RHP Ian Anderson (4-1) ATL vs RHP Taijuan Walker (3-1) NYM, 7:10 pm
Anderson in 2021: GS: 9, ERA: 2.82, WHIP: 1.20, IP: 51.0, H: 40, BB: 21, SO: 53, ER: 16, HR: 4
Walker in 2021: GS: 8, ERA: 2.05, WHIP: 0.98, IP: 44.0, H: 25, BB: 18, SO: 41, ER: 10, HR: 1
Walker’s start will mark his return from the injured list, where he ended up after his last start in Atlanta on May 17 with left side soreness. Walker missed just one start. Walker will be the second Met to return from injury this week, as Jacob deGrom did the same on Tuesday night. The Shreveport, LA native has been quite a find for Mets, who signed him very late last off season. Walker’s ability to keep the ball in the ballpark has been a key to his success.
Anderson has become the de facto ace of the Braves’ staff in the absence of Soroka. The Rexford, NY native made his MLB debut last season, when he went 3-2 with a 1.95 ERA in the shortened season. Anderson features a fastball (48%), changeup (32%), and a cutter (20%).
The game can be seen locally on SNY, and heard locally on WCBS radio 880 am.
Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday, May 29 LHP Max Fried (2-2) ATL vs LHP David Peterson (1-4) NYM, 7:15 pm
Fried in 2021: GS: 7, ERA: 4.63, WHIP: 1.49, IP:35.0, H: 38 , BB: 14, SO: 34, ER: 18, HR: 4
Peterson in 2021: GS: 9, ERA: 4.13, WHIP: 1.27, IP: 44.0, H: 39, BB: 17, SO: 49, ER: 24, HR: 8
Peterson has been inconsistent this season. In his last start against the Rockies, he went six innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He has had some very short outings this season (on May 7 he lasted just 1.2 innings), and had some strong outings (on May 14 against Tampa Bay he tossed 7.1 innings of two-run ball). Peterson has been victimized by the long ball and the free pass, allowing more than three bases on balls per nine innings pitched.
Fried has a career record of 28-13 with a career ERA of 3.64. His 2021 season has been his worst in his five-year career. His pitching repertoire consists of a fastball (55%), curveball (25%), a slider (14%) and a changeup (4%). He faced the Mets on May 17, throwing six innings and allowing one earned run in a game the Mets would eventually win.
The game can be seen locally on FOX, and heard locally on WCBS radio 880 am.
Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday , May 30, RHP Charlie Morton (3-2) ATL vs RHP Jacob deGrom (3-2) NYM, 7:08 pm
Morton in 2021: GS: 10, ERA: 3.98, WHIP: 1.21, IP:52.0, H 45: , BB: 18, SO: 61, ER: 23, HR: 6
DeGrom in 2021: GS: 7, ERA: 0.80, WHIP: 0.60, IP: 45.0, H: 20, BB: 7, SO: 74, ER: 4, HR: 3
DeGrom will be making his second start since returning from the injured list. In his start on Tuesday night against the Rockies, the Mets’ ace went five innings, allowing one run on three hits. Importantly, he came out of the appearance feeling well, with no lasting effects from his left side tightness that shelved him after his start on May 9. The DeLand, FL native’s numbers continue to resemble those from a video game. He has been that dominant. DeGrom will be seeking rare run support from the Mets’ depleted lineup in his quest for his fourth win.
Morton is in his 14th season, and has a career record of 96-91 with a 4.08 ERA. Morton is in his second tour of duty with the Braves, where he began his career in 2008. The New Jersey native, who grew up in Connecticut, has been with the Pirates, Astros, and Rays. The 37 year-old features a fastball (53%), curveball (33%), cutter (11%), and changeup (2%).
The game can be seen locally on ESPN, and heard locally on WCBS radio 880 am..
Series Notes for Mets
Mets by the numbers, with MLB rankings:
BA .224 (27th)
OBP .308 (18th)
SLG .342 (30th)
OPS .651 (26h)
Team ERA 3.12 (3rd)
Starters’ ERA 2.94 (5th)
Relievers’ ERA 3.52 (5th)
Mets OPS leaders (among players who are active) are Tomas Nido (.835), Jonathan Villar (.688), Dominic Smith (.623)
Notable Mets on the injured list:
Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto, Tommy Hunter, Luis Guillorme, Kevin Pillar, J.D. Davis, Johneshwy Fargas
Series Notes for Braves
Braves by the numbers, with MLB rankings:
BA .236 (13th)
OBP .316 (12th)
SLG .442 (2nd)
OPS .759 (3rd)
Team ERA 4.24 (19th)
Starters’ ERA 4.07 (14th)
Relievers’ ERA 4.49 (22nd)
Active Braves OPS leaders are Ronald Acuna, Jr. (.993), Austin Riley (.957), Freddie Freeman (.844)
Notable Braves on the injured list:
In this series, the pitching advantage goes to the Mets, while the offensive advantage clearly goes to the Braves. The Mets will have to rely on their pitching to keep the Braves’ potent bats in check, while hoping that their own offense can do enough to emerge victorious. That is no small task with the the current Mets lineup, but the team has shown fight as they scratch and claw their way through their schedule.
The Mets played three in Atlanta earlier this month, and took two of the games. The Braves, though not to the same degree as the Mets, are dealing with a rash of injuries which should even the playing field a bit and make this an interesting series to watch.
After this series (and Sunday night baseball), the Mets will venture all the way out west for the first time since 2019, and take on the Diamondbacks for the three games, followed by four games at Petco Park against the Padres.
It’s possible, though not likely, that Pete Alonso may be activated this weekend. He’s eligible to come off the injured list on Saturday, though there’s talk that he may need a rehab game or two. J.D. Davis, who still has inflammation in his injured hand, may not be far behind Alonso with a return to action possible at some point on the upcoming road trip.
