The Mets return to action tonight, hosting the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series at Citi Field.
The Mets are 5-8 on the abbreviated 2020 season. They are coming off possibly their best game of the season Wednesday night in Washington, when Rick Porcello (7 IP) and Seth Lugo (2 IP) held the Nationals to just one run on five hits. The Mets also sparkled on defense in that game, with Luis Guillorme, J.D. Davis, and Andres Gimenez all flashing some nice leather.
The Marlins’ season to date has been a microcosm of 2020. The team began well, taking two of three in Philadelphia on opening weekend. The Marlins were then idled for nine days after a major outbreak of COVID-19, with 18 players and 21 total team personnel testing positive.
The Marlins resumed action Tuesday night in Baltimore, in series that featured the bizarre permutations that characterize the 2020 season. The Marlins were the home team in two of the games at Camden Yards, and there was a seven-inning doubleheader involved as well. The Marlins, however, are playing remarkably well with a cobbled-together roster, and boast a 6-1 record as they begin play tonight.
Friday at 7:10 p.m., Michael Wacha takes the mound for the Mets. Wacha has had two starts thus far, with mixed results. He threw five very good innings against the Red Sox on July 27, allowing one run and striking out four to notch the win.
Wacha was less effective against the Braves on August 1st, going four innings, giving up five earned runs on seven hits. Wacha’s ERA stands at even 6.00. The Marlins have not named a starter for tonight’s game.
Saturday night at 7:10 p.m., David Peterson will face Miami. The Marlins will counter with left-hander Daniel Castano, who will be making his major league debut. Peterson has been a bit of a revelation for the Mets, starting two games and pitching to a 3.86 ERA. Peterson was very good against the Red Sox (who originally drafted him) on July 28th, getting the win after 5.2 IP, allowing two runs on seven hits. On August 2nd at Atlanta, Peterson went six innings, letting up three earned runs on five hits, taking the loss.
The series concludes Sunday at 1:10 p.m., when Jacob deGrom will face Josh Smith, in what will be a bullpen game for Miami. DeGrom has been typically brilliant. He’s started three games so far, and has an ERA of 2.12. DeGrom played the role of stopper on Aug. 3 in Atlanta, putting an end to the Mets’ five-game losing streak, pitching six innings. The Braves managed two runs against him that night on five hits.
Smith pitched two innings as a starter in Baltimore on August 5th, allowing no runs and one hit. He has spent parts of five seasons in the major leagues, with Oakland, Cincinnati and Boston prior to joining the Marlins. The vast majority of Smith’s innings have come as a reliever.
This is a key series for the Mets, who will next host the Nationals for four games beginning on Monday. In the short season, the Mets cannot afford another long losing streak. Though eight teams will qualify for the post season from each league, the Mets have to be better than they’ve played thus far.
Amed Rosario and Jeff McNeil remain day-to-day with nagging injuries. Robinson Cano, who had been their hottest hitter, is on the IL with an abductor muscle strain. Pete Alonso has struggled for the Mets. He has a .180 BA with just one home run so far on the season. The Mets need Alonso to get going, so he can join a productive Michael Conforto (.313/.411/.479 with two home runs) in the middle of the Mets lineup.
The Mets will have to find a way to win this series, then get ready for the series with the Nationals. After the series with Washington, exactly one-third of the season will be over.
Now is the time for the Mets to get on track for a potential post season opportunity in 2020.
