Series Preview: Mets Wrap West Coast Trip vs Flailing Angels

If you think the Mets recent two-game slide is a reason to worry, take a look at how the Angels have played lately – it will help put the Mets “losing streak” in perspective.

As the Mets get set to play at Angel Stadium for the first time since 2014, they are facing a team that has lost 14 of its last 15 games. On Thursday evening, the Angels snapped a franchise-worst 14-game losing streak with a win over the Red Sox. But before yesterday, the Angels had not won since May 24. This past week, they relieved Joe Maddon of his managerial duties as the losses continued to pile up. What is so surprising about the Angels slide down the AL West standings is that they started the season playing so well.

At their best, the Halos were 27-17 and sitting at the top of the division. But as good as Mike Trout (182 OPS+) and Shohei Ohtani (12 home runs, 34 runs batted in, and 3.64 ERA) have been all season, the team’s stars have also performed well below their All-Star expectations over the past two weeks. Trout was stuck in a 0-for-26 slump between May 29 and June 5. Taylor Ward, who leads the Angels with a 1.087 OPS, has been sidelined with an injury since he last played on June 3.

Former Met Juan Lagares has a 95 OPS+ in 12 games with the Angels this season. Funny enough, he batted seventh for the Mets the last time these two teams squared off in Anaheim in 2014. Aaron Loup, whose 0.95 ERA last season gave him one of the greatest seasons by a relief pitcher in Mets franchise history, has significantly regressed in 2022; he has a 4.43 ERA through 24 games pitched.

Former Mets starter Noah Syndergaard was originally lined up to start on Sunday, but he was pushed back to Tuesday to get him extra rest.

The Mets should be thankful that the Angels got back to their winning ways yesterday because otherwise, the Mets would be facing pressure to not be that team the Angels broke their embarrassing losing streak to.

As for the Mets themselves, they’d hit a bit of a rut lately, dropping two consecutive games in blowout fashion to the Padres. After Eduardo Escobar hit for the cycle in the Mets 11-5 win on Monday, the Mets were outscored 20-2 in the final two games of the series. On their current west coast trip, the Mets have gone 3-4 but still hold a sizeable 6 1/2 game lead in the NL East. Tylor Megill, who has not pitched since May 11 after dealing with a bicep injury, will return Friday night as the Mets starting pitcher.

While Pete Alonso and Starling Marte also dealt with injuries in San Diego, the prognosis is that neither player’s injury is severe enough to send them to the injured list.

Friday, June 10, 2022: RHP Tylor Megill (4-2, 4.41 ERA) vs. TBD 

Tylor Megill has not pitched in almost exactly one month, when he left his May 11 start in D.C. after his worst outing of the season. In just 1 1/3 innings, Megill allowed eight hits and eight runs, allowing two home runs as well before being pulled. As disappointing as this start was for Big Drip, the news of his biceps injury soon was made public, which at least somewhat explains why he got lit up by the Nats offense. In his previous three starts before the letdown in Washington, Megill pitched to a 2.65 ERA with 21 strikeouts.

The Angels have yet to announce a starter for Friday’s game. Though, it’s likely going to be lefty Jhonathan Diaz. 

Saturday, June 11, 2022: RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-1, 3.52 ERA) vs. Michael Lorenzen (5-3, 3.69 ERA)

Carlos Carrasco has continued his bounce back season after a rough 2021. In his latest start, Carrasco racked up a season-high 10 strikeouts, his most K’s in a game since 2020. In his two June starts, Carrasco has posted a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings. In seven career games at Angel Stadium (three starts), Carrasco has been dominant. He has posted a 1.91 ERA in 28 1/3 innings with 26 strikeouts. Cookie making a serious case for his first-ever All-Star nod.

Michael Lorenzen has had a fairly average season in his first year as an Angel, after being with the Cincinnati Reds since 2015. In his last two starts, Lorenzen has a 5.84 ERA in 12 1/3 innings, allowing a concerning seven walks. However, his previous two starts before that, both against Oakland, saw Lorenzen register a 0.69 ERA in 13 innings, striking out eight batters as well. Despite varied results result, he has still not allowed a home run since May 7.

Sunday, June 12, 2022: RHP Taijuan Walker (3-2, 3.28 ERA) vs. Patrick Sandoval (3-1, 2.81 ERA) 

After starting the season with seven scoreless innings over his first two starts, Taijuan Walker has had a few rough starts with some more dominant outings sprinkled in between. Over his last three starts, Walker has a 4.32 ERA, walking six batters in 16 2/3 innings. His previous three starts before that in mid-May saw Walker post an impressive 1.42 ERA in 19 innings. While he’s been far from perfect, Walker has nonetheless been noticeably better after a disaster of a second-half following his 2021 All-Star berth.

Patrick Sandoval has drifted back down to reality recently after a historic start to the season. Over his last two starts, Sandoval has an 8.22 ERA with seven walks in just 7 2/3 innings. Sandoval began the season with a perfect 0.00 ERA through his first three starts, which spanned 15 innings. He struck out 20 batters during that run as well. In his other four starts outside of the great beginning and ugly ending, Sandoval had a 2.84 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings, which is a closer statline to his true capabilities as a pitcher. Sandoval has never pitched against the Mets in his career.

Prediction

With the Mets getting some of their stars back from injury this weekend and the Angels being a dumpster fire lately, the Mets should be disappointed if they don’t sweep this series. The Mets picking up three wins in Anaheim would also give the Mets fan base some added weight in their ongoing social media “feud” against Noah Syndergaard.

Mets win the series, 3-0.