The Mets (13-16) are set to play the Yankees (16-11) in what will be a unusual weekend series, that follows one of the most bizarre weeks in Mets’ franchise history.
The series, that will consist of five games in three days, will take place in the Bronx. There will be doubleheaders both Friday (4:10 pm start) and Sunday (1:05 pm start). The Mets will be the “home” team in one game of each doubleheader, making up two of three games postponed last weekend when the teams were set to play at Citi Field. The Saturday single game is set for 1:05 pm.
The last eight days for the Mets have been unlike any other period in the 59 year history of the franchise. Last Thursday, two members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the team to go idle for five days, the longest in-season idle period since 2001. Then, upon resuming action on Tuesday, the Mets were shutout in both games of a doubleheader against the Marlins. It was the first time the Mets had been shutout in both games of a doubleheader since 1975, when Yogi Berra was the team’s manager.
Despite blowing a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning on Wednesday and costing Jacob deGrom a win (that’s not so unusual), the Mets rallied to win the game. After the game, Dominic Smith gave an emotional press conference about the racial injustice in our country.
Then on Thursday, the Mets and Marlins took the field to ostensibly begin the scheduled game, paused on the field for 42 seconds, then ceremonially left the field in a demonstration of social protest for the issues currently taking place across the nation. The game was postponed. Finally, Brodie Van Wagenen was recorded questioning the leadership of Commissioner Rob Manfred, for which Van Wagenen later apologized.
What a week it has been. Now, it’s back to baseball.
The Mets will go into the series unsure of their pitching situation. Michael Wacha (1-2, 6.43 ERA) was activated from the injury list on Thursday. He will likely start one game of Friday’s doubleheader. Steven Matz has not pitched since August 15th, and is a candidate to pitch in the twin bill on Friday. The Yankees will pitch left-hander Jordan Montgomery (2-1, 4.66 ERA) in game one. They have not named a starter for game two.
In the single game on Saturday. pitching candidates for the Mets appear to be David Peterson (3-1, 2.91 ERA) if he is activated from the IL, or Robert Gsellman (0-0, 7.71 ERA). The Yankees will send lefty J.A. Happ (1-1, 6.39 ERA) to the mound.
In Sunday’s doubleheader, Rick Porcello (1-4, 6.43 ERA) and Seth Lugo (1-2, 2.03 ERA) would be set to pitch, based on having five days’ rest. Lugo retired all nine Marlins he faced in the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader, making his first start since 2018. The Yankees have not yet named starters for Sunday.
What to Watch
The Yankees have been struggling, having lost five in a row. They are coming off consecutive sweeps by the Rays (three games) and the Braves (two games).
The Yankees have been bitten hard by the injury bug. Currently, Giancarlo Stanton. Gleyber Torres, and DJ LeMahieu are on the IL (LeMahieu may be activated for the series according to Aaron Boone). Aaron Judge re-injured his calf on Wednesday, and may be headed to the IL for the second time.
Luke Voit has been providing power for the Bombers with 11 home runs. Voit also leads the team in OPS at 1.096.
Brett Gardner is struggling (.172/.290/.362).
Gio Urshela, who is an outstanding defender at third base, is slashing .241/.323/.482 with five home runs.
Gary Sanchez is slashing .139/.253/.361 with five home runs.
Clint Frazier, through 30 AB, is slashing .300/.364/.600 with two home runs.
The Yankees are high on DH/1B Mike Ford, who has two home runs in 48 AB.
The Mets’ bullpen woes were on display Wednesday night, as the combination of Justin Wilson, Edwin Diaz, and Brad Brach could not hold a 4-1 lead against Miami. The Mets’ bullpen has a 4.67 ERA, 14th in MLB.
The Mets continue to lack the timely hit. They lead MLB with a team OBP of .356, but are 22nd in runs scored with 128.
Robinson Cano has stayed hot, and is slashing .382/.419/.632. Cano has four home runs.
Dominic Smith leads the Mets in home runs (6) and RBIs (22).
Michael Conforto is slashing .324/.444/.520 to go with five home runs and 14 RBIs
The Mets may be catching the Yankees at the right time, with a substantial portion of the Yankees’ vaunted offense on the IL. After this series, the Mets will have played 34 of 60 games. As Yogi would say, “it’s getting late early”. The Mets need to start playing better, more consistent baseball to qualify for this year’s post-season tournament. Now would be a great time to get that process started.
