Series Preview: Mets Look to Play Spoiler in Philadelphia

The New York Mets (71-81) have already created more drama in the playoff picture this week, as they are coming off a series victory over a Miami Marlins (79-74) that is pushing for a Wild Card spot in the National League. They are not the only team looking to secure their place in the postseason, as the Philadelphia Phillies (83-69) currently occupy the top Wild Card spot. The Mets playoff hopes are all but dead, but a strong finish to the season could help their young guys take the next step in their development. Let’s take a look at some important notes for the three pitching matchups.

Thursday, September 21, 2023: LHP David Peterson (3-8, 5.22 ERA) vs. LHP Ranger Suárez (3-6, 3.80 ERA)

David Peterson has impressed since his return from Triple-A Syracuse, staking a case to be an impotent piece for the 2024 Mets. His last start was a good one, as he gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out 10 in 5 2/3 inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Sep. 15. The 28-year-old has discovered a level of confidence that is required to be part of a successful pitching staff. Peterson is now 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA 14 appearances (eight starts) since the All-Star break. He will look to improve his numbers away from Citi Field, owning a 1-6 record with a 7.35 ERA in 49 innings on the road.

Ranger Suárez was activated from the injured list at the beginning of September after spending a few weeks off the field with a right hamstring strain. He only managed to throw four innings in his first start of the month, but in his last two, he has looked much sharper. Suárez has allowed just four runs over his last 12 1/3 innings pitched, including six innings of one-run ball against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sep. 16. The left-hander will look to use his final two starts of the regular season as a ramp-up to a potential postseason run. Suárez is 0-3 with a 4.94 ERA in 10 starts at home in 2023.

Friday, September 22, 2023: RHP Tylor Megill (8-8, 4.94 ERA) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (15-5, 4.40 ERA)

Tylor Megill rejoined the big league rotation at the beginning of August, and the right-hander seems to have found a rhythm on the mound. Since Aug. 16, he has six straight starts in which he has allowed three earned runs or less. While Megill is showing signs of improvement, his last outings were certainly a bit more stressful. He only gave up three runs (two of which were earned) in 5 2/3 innings against the Reds on Sep. 16, but he allowed nine hits. Megill will look to keep his good individual run going against the Phillies, a team he has a 2.40 ERA against in three total starts.

Taijuan Walker signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies in the off-season. So far, it looks like that deal has worked out for both sides. Walker has been a consistent force at the backend of their rotation, giving the offense a chance to win every fifth day. Walker is on pace to set a career-high in innings pitched (169 2/3 innings with the Seattle Mariners in 2015), and his 15 wins is already a career-best. The right-hander has been a bit shaky in recent weeks, as he owns a 7.27 ERA in the month of September. Walker will look to bounce back in his 16th start at home, going 7-2 with a 3.59 ERA in the previous 15.

Saturday, September 23, 2023: LHP José Quintana (3-5, 3.02 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (12-6, 3.63 ERA)

José Quintana has replicated the level of performance he showed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cardinals in 2022. The veteran is showcasing that he will have a big part to play in the success of the Mets pitching staff next season, allowing three runs or less in 10 of his 11 starts. Quintana spent the first few months of the season on the injured list, but it did not take him long to settle back into pitching every fifth day. While the team is 3-8 in games that the left-hander has started, he has only received 3.27 runs per game for the offense. Quintana is 0-1 with a 2.90 ERA in seven career starts against the Phillies.

Wheeler has been a fantastic pitcher throughout his time in Philadelphia, but this season has been a bit trickier. He has yet to finish a season with an ERA above 3.00 since he was still a member of the Mets back in 2019. The long ball has caused problems for the right-hander as he has given up five home runs this month, including three against the Braves on Sep. 12. If the Phillies want to accomplish anything in the postseason, Wheeler needs to be at his best. The 33-year-old had struggled at Citizens Bank Park, going 4-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 78 1/3 innings at home.

Sunday, September 24, 2023: RHP José Butto (1-2, 3.09 ERA) vs. LHP Cristopher Sánchez (2-5, 3.55 ERA)

José Butto has inserted himself into the conversation for a place in the starting rotation to begin the 2024 season. The 25-year-old is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 17 1/3 innings this month. Butto threw a season-high 95 pitches on Sep. 18 against the Marlins, surrendering one run on four hits across six innings. The right-hander’s changeup and slider have been effective alongside his four-seam fastball, helping him secure six strikeouts in each of his last three outings. Butto will be making his fifth appearance on the road in the series finale, going 0-0 with a 2.29 ERA in the previous four.

Cristopher Sánchez threw a career-high 40 innings in 15 appearances (three starts) last season. The left-hander made one start on Apr. 22 before returning to Triple-A Lehigh Valley for a long period of time. Sánchez eventually made it back to the big leagues on June 17, and he has been a part of the rotation ever since. One concern for the Phillies starter is that he has allowed at least one home run in six of his last eight starts. Sánchez made a start against the Mets back on June 24, giving up three runs on five hits in five innings. The 26-year-old is 2-4 with a 4.07 ERA in 66 1/3 innings at home this season.