Series Preview: Mets Search For Spark in Philadelphia

The New York Mets (34-40) look like a team that cannot string wins together, as they now sit seven games out of the third Wild Card spot in the National League. Many of their problems have come as a result of poor pitching, both from the rotation and the bullpen. The Mets will look to get right against a team they are 17-5 against over their last 22 head-to-head matchups, the Philadelphia Phillies (38-36). Much like their divisional counterpart, the Phillies got off to a slow start in 2023. Rob Thomson‘s team has played better baseball as of late, winning seven of their last 10. Here are some important notes to look for in each of the three pitching matchups.

Friday, June 23, 2023: RHP Kodai Senga (6-4, 3.53 ERA) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (7-3, 4.31 ERA) 

Kodai Senga had his best outing of the season against the Phillies on May 30, throwing seven shutout innings while allowing one hit and striking out nine. It has been a mixed bag for the right-hander since, as he is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA through three starts in the month of June. Senga has had an up-and-down rookie season, showing flashes of what he can be capable of when he is able to limit the walks. The 30-year-old has worse numbers on the road (3-2, 4.78 ERA), although he gave up one unearned run in seven innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Jun. 10.

Taijuan Walker struggled in his return to Citi Field on Jun. 1, giving up three runs on two hits and three walks in just four innings. Since then, the 30-year-old has been nearly untouchable, showcasing a different level of dominance over the last three weeks. Walker has surrendered a total of one run over his last three starts, lowering his ERA from 5.65 to 4.31. His last appearance was his longest of the season, throwing eight innings and allowing one run in a 6-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Jun. 16. The Mets will look to make Walker work at Citizens Bank Park, where he is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in six starts this season.

Saturday, June 24, 2023: RHP Carlos Carrasco (2-3, 6.34 ERA) vs. LHP Cristopher Sánchez (0-0, 3.24 ERA)

Carlos Carrasco is making his fourth start in the month of June on Saturday, going 0-1 with a 7.82 ERA in the previous three. It has been a difficult season for the right-hander, who has a total of two quality starts. The home run ball has really hurt Carrasco, surrendering at least one long ball in eight of his nine starts. With José Quintana‘s return on the horizon, the 36-year-old is running out of time to make a case for why he should remain in the rotation. Carrasco has made five road starts in 2023, going 1-2 with a 4.97 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.

Cristopher Sánchez made his season debut on Apr. 22 against the Colorado Rockies, allowing three runs in 4 1/3 innings. The left-hander was immediately set back down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, as the Phillies determined that they did not need an additional starter at the time. Sánchez did not return to the big leagues until last week, as the 26-year-old threw four scoreless innings against the Athletics on Jun. 17. Given his lack of innings in the majors, it is difficult to see the starter throwing more than five innings. Sánchez has made three career appearances against the Mets, going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 6 2/3 innings.

Sunday, June 25, 2023: RHP Max Scherzer (6-2, 4.04 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (6-4, 3.48 ERA)

Max Scherzer is not having the type of season he would have expected, failing to make a consistent impact at the top of the rotation. Opponents are finding different ways to frustrate the right-hander, leading to his elevated ERA in fewer innings. Scherzer hit the reset button and found his best stuff against the Houston Astros on Jun. 19, allowing one run on four hits in eight innings. His slider looked crisp in that start, a pitch that has let him down for a large part of 2023. Scherzer will look to keep it going in his ninth road start, going 4-2 with a 4.57 ERA in the previous eight.

The former Met has found a lot of success during his time with the Phillies, but his start to the 2023 season was a bit of a struggle. He gave up three runs or more in three of his first six starts, showing an inability to pitch deep into games. Wheeler has regained most of the form he showed last season, allowing one run or less in each of his last three starts. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings against the Athletics on Jun. 18, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out four. Wheeler is 4-4 with a 3.29 ERA in 12 career starts against the Mets.