Series Preview: Mets Finish Off Road Trip in San Francisco

The New York Mets are in the midst of a very successful road trip, winning each of their first two series against the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers. They will look to continue that against the San Francisco Giants, a team that has struggled to begin the 2023 season (6-11 through 17 games). The Mets will be facing off against some familiar faces, including Michael Conforto, Wilmer Flores, J.D. Davis and Darin Ruf.

Thursday, April 20, 2023: RHP Kodai Senga (2-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (0-0, 4.76 ERA)

The Mets have yet to lose a game that Kodai Senga has started (3-0), and they will look to continue that in the series opener against the Giants. His last start was his toughest to date, going just 4 2/3 innings and allowing four runs to score on seven hits against the Oakland Athletics last Friday. A few big innings for the Mets offense meant that Senga had a lot of waiting to do in the dugout, which certainly messed up his rhythm. The right-hander will look to bounce back against a Giants lineup that is averaging 3.33 runs per game at home, which ranks 24th in all of baseball.

Senga’s forkball continues to be his best weapon, as he has 16 of his 21 strikeouts with that pitch. Hitters have a .050 batting average with a .033 expected batting average against the forkball. Senga throws all four of his pitches quite evenly, using his breaking stuff to play off of his four-seam fastball. Until hitters are able to see it well, he will continue to use the forkball as his out pitch.

Sean Manaea signed a two-year deal with the Giants in the winter, looking to regain the form he showed during his time in the Athletics organization. The left-hander struggled in his first outing of the year, giving up three runs in two innings of relief against the Chicago White Sox on Apr. 3. Each of his last two appearances has come as a starter, a role he is much more comfortable in. Manaea threw a season-high 82 pitches against the Detroit Tigers last Friday, although he was only able to go 3 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two career starts against the Mets.

Friday, April 21, 2023: TBD vs. RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-0, 1.42 ERA)

This would have been Carlos Carrasco‘s spot in the rotation, but the right-hander landed on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation Tuesday. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that the 36-year-old has a small bone chip in his elbow that is causing swelling and discomfort. Carrasco received an injection and will be re-evaluated in 3-5 days. If the inflammation fails to decrease, Carrasco may need surgery. This is the same elbow he got an operation on following the end of the 2021 season, which is certainly a concern.

Although the Mets have yet to announce who will start in the veteran’s place, the expectation is that Joey Lucchesi will make his season debut. The left-hander missed the entirety of last season while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. We last see Lucchesi on a Major League mound in June of 2022, throwing a total of 38 1/3 innings in his first season with the Mets. The 29-year-old has plenty of experience against the Giants, dating back to his time with the San Diego Padres. Lucchesi is 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.278 WHIP in seven career starts versus the Giants.

Anthony DeSclafani is looking to bounce back this season after an injury-riddled 2022 campaign in which he only threw a total of 19 innings. The right-hander had his best season with the Giants in 2021, going 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA in 167 2/3 innings. If he can continue to throw every fifth day, DeSclafani is more than capable of rediscovering the form he showed in his first season with the organization.

The 33-year-old is off a strong start in 2023, producing three quality starts to begin the season. DeSclafani had a very good performance against the Tigers last Saturday, throwing 6 2/3 innings and allowing three runs to score (two of which were earned) on six hits. The Giants pitcher will be making his second home start of the season, with his first coming back on Apr. 9 against the Kansas City Royals.

Saturday, April 22, 2023: LHP David Peterson (1-2, 6.10 ERA) vs. RHP Logan Webb (0-4, 4.94 ERA)

David Peterson has a chance to cement himself as a part of the Mets rotation over the next couple of weeks. The left-hander struggled against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, despite getting the win. Peterson surrendered six runs on seven hits, including three home runs in six innings of work. Freddie Freeman hit a pair of home runs and Max Muncy added a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The 27-year-old has only made one career start against the Giants, which came in May of 2022. Peterson was very good in that one, earning a win with six innings pitched while only allowing two runs to score on three hits. The Mets starter will look to find some better results away from Citi Field, as he is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA in three starts on the road. Luckily for Peterson, the Giants are slashing .214/.276/.325 against left-handed pitching this season, so this could be a chance to find some rhythm for him.

When Carlos Rodón departed for the New York Yankees in the offseason, Logan Webb was expected to step in and be the ace of the Giants rotation. The right-hander has failed to do that through four starts, all of which he has come out of on the shorter side. The home run ball has really hurt Webb, giving up five of those in just 23 2/3 innings. If the Giants want any chance of being competitive in the NL West, they need the 26-year-old to be much better on the mound.

Webb was dominant in his only home start this season, allowing just one run to score on five hits against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Apr. 10. The Giants starter had a lot of success Oracle Park in 2022, going 9-6 with a 2.91 ERA in 17 starts and 99 innings in his home ballpark. Webb will look to continue those strong numbers at home versus the Mets, who he is 1-1 against with a 3.94 ERA in his career.

Sunday, April 23, 2023: RHP Tylor Megill (3-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. TBD

Tylor Megill battled through five tough innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing three runs to score on seven hits. The walks really hurt him in that one, as he allowed four hitters to reach via base on balls. Despite that being his first loss of the season, Megill has been impressive through four big league starts. The right-hander was not expected to be in the rotation to begin the season, but injuries gave him a chance and he has certainly taken it in stride.

The 27-year-old will be looking for better results against a Giants team that has had no success against in the past. Megill is 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA in three starts and 15 2/3 innings against them. The Mets started has given up five home runs against the Giants, the biggest reason for his struggles. Megill will look to avoid that and give his team a chance to win the series finale to finish off the road trip.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler has yet to announce a starter for Sunday’s game, although they could go to Jakob Junis in this spot. The right-hander is currently a longman in their bullpen, but he has made 106 starts in his seven-year career. Junis could give them some much-needed length to finish off a long four-game series. The 30-year-old made 17 starts in 2022, going 5-7 with a 4.42 ERA in 112 innings.