Series Preview: Mets Finish Off Road Trip in Oakland

The New York Mets will begin a three-game series with the last place Oakland Athletics on Friday as they hold onto a 1.5 game lead in the National League East. The Atlanta Braves, who lost last night, are in Philadelphia to face the Phillies for three more games as they look to put pressure on their division rival.

What is so interesting about this series is the Mets will be facing three left-handed starters, which will really test their right-handed hitters. The Mets need Darin Ruf and Mark Vientos to have good at-bats from the right side, especially in the absence of Starling Marte. 

Friday, September 23, 2022: RHP Chris Bassitt (14-8, 3.32 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Irvin (9-11, 3.79 ERA)

Chris Bassitt will take the ball in the opening game of the series against his former team. His only appearance against the Athletics came back in 2014 when he was still a member of the Chicago White Sox.

The 33-year-old has great numbers at the Oakland Coliseum, as he owns a 2.44 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 40 career starts at that ballpark. He has taken his pitching to another level since the All-Star break, going 7-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 11 second-half starts. Bassitt showed up in a big way against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday, pitching six scoreless innings while giving up three hits and striking out eight to earn the win.

Cole Irvin has thrown more innings (166 1/3) than anyone else on the Athletics roster this season. The left-hander may not have a great win/loss record, but he has certainly been one of the few bright spots for this team. Irvin has really solid numbers at home, as he owns a 5-4 record with a 2.75 ERA across 15 starts. In comparison, he is 4-7 with a 5.17 ERA in 12 starts on the road this season.

The 28-year-old is 5-4 with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 71 innings since the All-Star break. Irvin got the win in his last start, allowing four runs to score on seven hits in seven innings against the Houston Astros last Saturday.

Saturday, September 24, 2022: RHP Jacob deGrom (5-2, 2.32 ERA) vs. LHP Ken Waldichuk (0-2, 7.13 ERA)

Jacob deGrom has looked just like himself through nine starts in 2022. The right-hander may have had a delayed start to his season, but his performances prove he is still the most dominant pitcher in the game. DeGrom was sensational but for one pitch in his most recent start, striking out 13 in five-plus innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Sunday. His only blemish from that performance came in the top of the sixth inning when shortstop Oneil Cruz hit a three-run home run to tie the game.

DeGrom has never faced the Oakland Athletics in his career, one of two teams in the American League West (the Houston Astros) that the Mets starter has yet to go up against.

Ken Waldichuk is just getting started in the majors after coming over to Oakland in a trade with the New York Yankees earlier this summer. The 24-year-old only has 17 2/3 innings under his belt, which gives opponents a small sample size to work off of. Waldichuk was solid in his first two starts, but the last two appearances have not gone well for the young left-hander.

The starter only managed to pitch 2 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros last Sunday, allowing five runs to score on five hits to earn his second loss of the season. Waldichuk performed really well in his only home start of the year, giving up three runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves back on September 7.

Sunday, September 25, 2022: RHP Max Scherzer (10-4, 2.15 ERA) vs. LHP JP Sears (6-2, 3.58 ERA) 

Max Scherzer is set to make his second start since coming off the injured list following a left oblique strain. The Mets could not have asked for much more in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, as he threw six perfect innings while striking out nine to help the team clinch a playoff spot.

The 38-year-old is 6-2 with a 2.61 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP in 11 road starts this season. Scherzer will be making his eighth career start against the Athletics on Sunday, pitching to a 2-1 record with a 4.75 ERA across 36 innings in the first seven.

JP Sears was one of the key pieces in the deal that included former Athletics starter Frankie Montas going to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline. The left-hander pitched to a 2.05 ERA in seven appearances for the Yankees earlier in the year. His numbers with the Athletics have taken a slight dip, as he is 3-2 with a 4.46 ERA in eight starts with his new team.

The 26-year-old had a great performance in his most recent start, allowing one run to score on just one hit in five innings against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.