Series Preview: Mets Meet The Brewers

The New York Mets (3-1) are looking to maintain their hot streak as they head to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers (2-1). In the 2022 season, the Mets had a record of 4-2 against the Brewers. In fact, the Mets clinched their playoff berth against them in a late September game during a series that was held in Milwaukee. Consequently, the Brewers may have a chip on their shoulder during this upcoming series as they were forced to watch the Mets celebrate on their home field last season.

There were a number of Mets players that had notable performances in the opening series that took place in Miami. First, Mets’ catcher Omar Narvaez, who will be playing against his former team in Milwaukee, batted .429 while collecting two RBIs in seven at-bats. Second, Mets’ outfielder Tommy Pham shined in Sunday’s contest against Miami, in which he went 3-4 with one home run and three RBIs. He can be especially useful against the lefties that Milwaukee has to offer. Third, the newly obtained pitcher Kodai Senga had an impressive debut where he collected eight strikeouts in five and one-third innings of work. While he battled though some adversity at first, he was eventually able to shake off the nerves and deliver this solid performance in which he only allowed one earned run. Fourth, Mark Canha and Pete Alonso each collected home runs during the initial series to start off their seasons on the right note. Finally, the Mets’ bullpen stood out the most in this series as they only allowed one earned run while striking out 16 batters in 13 and two-thirds innings of work. This dominating performance shows that they can still function at a high level without their star closer Edwin Diaz.

Things are not looking as optimistic for the Brewers as it was recently announced that their third baseman Luis Urias will be missing the next six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury. As a result of this news, the Brewers called up one of their top prospects Joey Wiemer, who is an outfielder that is expected to see playing time as Brian Anderson will be taking the role that was vacated by Urias’ injury. During their opening series against the Cubs, there were several key moments that occurred. First, their star pitcher Corbin Burnes had an uncharacteristic performance in which he allowed four earned runs while only striking out three batters in five innings of work. Second, outfielder Christian Yelich seems to be reclaiming his old form as he went 2-5 in Sunday’s contest while collecting two runs scored and one walk.

Monday, April 3, 2023: RHP Carlos Carrasco (2022 Statistics: 15-7, 3.97 ERA) vs RHP Freddy Peralta (2022 Statistics: 4-4, 3.58 ERA)

Carrasco, 36, is coming off a solid season, in which he started 29 games and contributed to the Mets’ playoff aspirations. He has faced the Brewers only five times in his career, and he has a 3.60 ERA against them in 30 innings. Carrasco’s durability will be of great importance for the early part of this season as the Mets’ depth at the starting pitching position is getting thinner by the day.

Although Peralta did not appear in as many games as Carrasco last season, he still posted a strong campaign in which he had 86 strikeouts in 78 innings. Peralta’s only appearance against the Mets came with mixed results as he pitched five and one-third innings and allowed four earned runs while striking out five batters. The Brewers are counting on Peralta to continue his solid trends as they look to fulfill their playoff aspirations.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023: RHP Max Scherzer (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs LHP Wade Miley (2022 Statistics: 2-2, 3.16 ERA)

Scherzer’s initial outing against the Marlins was a quality start in which he struck out six batters and allowed three earned runs in six innings of work. In his career against the Brewers, he has a 2.14 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 63 innings. The Mets are hoping that Scherzer picks up right where he left off in Miami when he takes the mound on Tuesday.

Miley will be making his season debut against the Mets as he looks to build off an encouraging 2022 campaign. In his long career, Miley has only appeared six times against the Mets, in which he has posted a 3.72 ERA. One key matchup for Miley will be Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is 5-13 against him in his career with three doubles and three walks.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023: LHP David Peterson (0-1, 1.80 ERA) vs RHP Corbin Burnes (0-1, 7.20 ERA)

Peterson is looking to establish himself in the win column as he suffered an unlucky loss against the Marlins in which he only allowed one earned run in five solid innings of work. In Peterson’s short sample size against the Brewers, he has struggled as he accumulated a 9.64 ERA in four and two-thirds innings.

Although Burnes struggled in his previous start, he posted an elite 2022 season with a 2.94 ERA in 202 innings pitched with 243 strikeouts. These strong numbers have translated to Burnes’ track recored against the Mets, which is characterized by a 3.04 ERA in 26 and two-thirds innings with 30 strikeouts. It will be interesting to see if Burnes can regain his previous form after a rocky start to the season.