In an event brought to you by the nuances of 2020, the Mets (20-24) will begin a three-game series in Buffalo Friday night at 6:37 pm night against Charlie Montoyo‘s  Toronto Blue Jays (24-19). The teams will clash again Saturday night, also at 6:37 pm, and wrap up the series Sunday afternoon at 3:07 pm.

The Mets are coming off an exciting win Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles. The Mets battled from behind all night, taking the lead on a Pete Alonso home run in the bottom of the eighth. The Mets appeared deflated after a crushing loss to the Phillies on Monday. They were demolished by Baltimore Tuesday night by the score of 11-2. The Mets are 4-3 over their last seven games.

Going into Friday night’s game, with 16 games to play, the Mets find themselves on the outside looking in at the National League playoff picture. The Mets trail the Marlins (19-19 going into Thursday’s action), Rockies (20-23), and Brewers (19-22) for the last playoff spot.

The Blue Jays are exceeding expectations in this shortened season, and are currently fifth in the American League playoff seeding. In their last series, the Jays took two of three from the Yankees. Toronto is 4-2 over their last six games, having taken two of three from the Red Sox last weekend.

On Friday night, Jacob deGrom (3-1, 1.69 ERA) will oppose right-hander Chase Anderson (0-0, 4.94 ERA). DeGrom was brilliant in his last start on Sunday against the Phillies, tossing seven innings of three-hit, one-run baseball. He struck out 12 in that game. In his last start on Saturday against Boston, Anderson went four innings, allowing nine hits and six earned runs, striking out three.

On Saturday night, Seth Lugo (2-2, 2.05 ERA) will take the mound for New York. Toronto has not named a starter for the game. Lugo last pitched Saturday against the Phillies, working five innings and allowing one run on four hits. He struck out eight in that game, and was credited with the win. Importantly, Lugo threw 81 pitches in the game, and appears to be almost fully stretched out for an increasing work load.

For Sunday’s game, neither team has named a starter. The Mets could go with David Peterson (4-1, 4.26ERA), who had his first bad start against the Phillies on Monday. In that game, Peterson went just two innings, and was charged with five earned runs on five hits. Michael Wacha could also make the start, as he would be on five-days’ rest. Wacha was shelled by the Orioles on Tuesday night, lasting four innings, giving up five runs on seven hits.

What To Watch For

For the Mets, Andres Gimenez, after a brief slump, has been doing well offensively, and is slashing .292/.340/.427. He also has two home runs, including a game-tying home run on Wednesday night. Gimenez appears to have won the shortstop role.

Jeff McNeil has found his 2018/2019 stroke, and is at .315/.388/.496 with four home runs in his last four games.

Michael Conforto continues his outstanding season, at .340/.428/.562 with eight home runs. Conforto leads the team with a fWAR of 1.7.

Pete Alonso has found his home run stroke, and now has 11 on the season.

Edwin Diaz, now the closer, notched his third save on Wednesday night. He has an ERA of 1.89 (though ERA is not a less relevant for relievers) and has struck out 39 over 19 innings pitched this year.

The Mets’ starters have a 5.33 ERA, 25th in MLB. Their relievers have an ERA of 4.24, 13th in MLB.

Meet The Blue Jays

By fWAR, Toronto’s best offensive player is Teoscar Hernandez, who is slashing .308/.359/.637 with 14 home runs. But he was placed on the injured list earlier this week.

Cavan Biggio (.247/.368/.426, six home runs) and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.299/.352/.490 six home runs) are key contributors to Toronto’s offense.

The Blue Jays’ team BA is .253, 11th in MLB. They’ve hit 67 home runs, 5th in MLB.

Toronto’s starters have an ERA of 4.27, 14th in MLB. Their relievers have an ERA of 3.27, 4th in MLB.

For the Mets, the task is clear. They have teams to pass to qualify for the post season, and little time to do it. The Mets need to get better starting pitching after deGrom and Lugo, and get some length from their starters so they are not going to the bullpen in the fourth or fifth inning three times out of every five games.

The Mets continue to lead MLB with a .275 team BA. They have been scoring runs and are hitting home runs at an increased rate. In this series, they’ll have to take advantage of Toronto’s starters, as the Jays’ bullpen is one of their strengths.

Time is running very short. The Mets need to play with a sense of urgency, and win every series., They will next take on the Phillies for three games in Philadelphia.