Series Preview: Mets Look to Bounce Back Against Tigers

After suffering a three-game series sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Mets (0-3) look to salvage their early-season woes against the undefeated Detroit Tigers (3-0).

Both teams are approaching this series from two polar opposite standpoints. While the Mets are looking to move forward from their weekend-long feud with Rhys Hoskins and the Brewers, the Tigers seek to pounce on a fragmented Mets team.

After serving his one-game suspension on Sunday, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will return to the dugout for this series.

There is a lot of rain in the forecast this week, as is common in April games at Citi Field. Thus, it is unclear whether the two teams will complete all three scheduled games.

The Mets hope to avoid the rainfall, as postponed games can only harm the players who are so regimented.

That said, let’s examine the prospective pitching matchups for this series.

Monday, April 1, 2024: RHP Reese Olson (2023 Statistics: 5-7, 3.99 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (2023 Statistics: 7-6, 4.44 ERA)

Reese Olson will get the ball for the Tigers on Monday. Heading into spring training, it was unclear whether Olson would break camp and head to Detroit. However, the Tigers selected Olson to be a part of their rotation after he put up a 3.68 ERA in 14 2/3 spring training innings. While he did make the team, he still has a major chip on his shoulder with former top-pitching prospect Matt Manning waiting behind him in Triple-A Toledo. The right-handed pitcher relies on five pitches, including his slider, which generated a whiff rate of 41.6 percent in 2023.

After signing with the Mets in free agency this past offseason, left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea will finally debut on Monday. He is looking to build on his 2023 campaign, in which he posted a career-high 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings as a member of the San Francisco Giants. If spring training is any indication of regular season success, Sean Manaea certainly passed the test with 21 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings while only allowing six earned runs. Manaea most recently faced the Tigers in April of 2023, when he only lasted 3 1/3 innings with two runs allowed and four strikeouts.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024: RHP Casey Mize (Career Statistics: 7-13, 4.29 ERA) vs. RHP Adrian Houser (2023 Statistics: 8-5, 4.12 ERA)

Former first-overall draft pick Casey Mize will be the pitcher for the Tigers on Tuesday. This will be his first major league appearance since 2022, as he is coming off Tommy John Surgery that he underwent in 2022. Like Olson, Mize was not guaranteed a rotation spot heading into spring training. However, after posting a 2.21 ERA in 20 1/3 innings, the Tigers felt confident enough in Mize to reward him with the coveted rotation spot. Mize does not profile as a strikeout pitcher, but his pitch mix can be deceptive when he is at his best.

Adrian Houser will make his Mets debut on Tuesday after being acquired in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. Like Mize, Houser is not known for the strikeout but can generate a lot of ground balls with his sinker. Houser was in the 73rd percentile for ground ball rate in 2023. In addition to his ability to keep the ball on the ground, Houser has established a reputation for staying on the field, eclipsing 20 starts in each of his last three seasons. While he has not pitched against them since 2021, Houser has struggled against the Tigers throughout his career. He is 0-1 with a 6.70 ERA in three appearances against them.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024: LHP Tarik Skubal (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (0-1, 3.86 ERA)

Emerging ace Tarik Skubal will close out the series for the Tigers on Wednesday. Heading into this season, Skubal was looking to build upon his excellent 2023 season, where he posted a 2.80 ERA in 80 1/3 innings with 102 strikeouts. He did just that on Opening Day when he tossed six scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Skubal not only excels in the strikeout department, but is adept at limiting walks. He was in the 96th percentile in walk rate in 2023, indicating that he can command his deceptive pitches. Skubal can also keep the ball on the ground, as he was in the 87th percentile in ground ball rate last season.

Mets Opening Day starter Jose Quintana will make his second start on Wednesday. While he struggled in the first inning on Opening Day, Quintana salvaged his big day by getting through 4 2/3 innings with two earned runs allowed. As a former member of the White Sox, Quintana and the Tigers are very familiar with each other. In 23 appearances, Quintana has a 4.85 ERA against the American League Central Division club. On Wednesday, Quintana will look to return to his 2023 form, where he had a 3.57 ERA in 75 2/3 innings.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Francisco Alvarez (NYM)

Although the team had a rough start to the season, catcher Francisco Alvarez has not missed a beat from his strong 2023 rookie season. He played in all three games against the Brewers over the weekend and went 5-for-10 with a home run and two RBIs. The sensational catcher is due for a big game against the Tigers, as he is hitless in his five career at-bats against the club.

Mark Canha (DET)

Former Mets outfielder Mark Canha returns to Citi Field as a member of the Tigers this week. Like Alvarez, Canha got off to a hot start in 2024, going 4-for-11 with a home run and three RBIs in the three-game series against the White Sox. The combination of Canha’s familiarity with Citi Field and his early hot streak will make him a target in the Mets scouting report for this week.