The New York Mets (22-33) are in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. In the last two days, Edwin Díaz has landed on the injured list, Pete Alonso was lifted for a game after being hit in the hand, and Jorge López has been designated for assignment after throwing his glove into the stands and making a few eye-opening comments after Wednesday’s loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets have now lost eight of their last 10, leaving themselves in a weird position going into June.
The Arizona Diamondbacks (25-30) are off to a slow start after reaching the World Series last season. A three-game losing streak has them 9.5 games back of the Dodgers for first place in the NL West. Arizona made some sensible additions in the winter, signing Joc Pederson and Eugenio Suárez to add power to the middle of their lineup. Despite their underwhelming record, the Diamondbacks are expected to be a playoff team at the end of the season. Here are some notes on the four pitching matchups this weekend.
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Thursday, May 30, 2024: RHP Zac Gallen (5-4, 3.12 ERA) vs. RHP Christian Scott (0-2, 3.97 ERA)
Zac Gallen is in the upper echelon of starting pitchers and has been for a number of years. The right-hander has flourished since being traded from the Miami Marlins to the Diamondbacks in July of 2019. Gallen has continued that trend in 2024, giving up three runs or less in nine of his first ten starts. He has not only been dependable, but he has been able to consistently pitch deep into games. Gallen has thrown six innings or more in four consecutive starts. He has yet to earn a victory against the Mets in his career, owning a 0-2 record with a 3.77 ERA in six starts against them.
Christian Scott’s win-loss record is not reflective of how he has pitched in the big leagues so far. His last start was a good one, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out four in six innings against the Giants on Friday. Scott departed from the game with the Mets leading, yet they found a way to lose. The rookie has slightly better numbers at Citi Field, owning a 3.75 ERA at home. In comparison, he has a 4.22 ERA on the road. Scott will look to earn his first big league victory in the series opener against Arizona.
Friday, May 31, 2024: LHP Jordan Montgomery (3-2, 4.69 ERA) vs. RHP Luis Severino (2-2, 3.22 ERA)
Jordan Montgomery starred in the Texas Rangers’ run to the World Series title, making him one of the most coveted free agents this off-season. There was plenty of interest, but he and his agent struggle to find the right deal. As a result, Montgomery waited until March 26 to sign a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks, just days before Opening Day. The left-hander has not had a good month of May, pitching to a 5.60 ERA in 27 1/3 innings. Montgomery will be hoping for a better performance at Citi Field Friday, pitching to a 14.29 ERA in his first two starts in the ballpark.
Luis Severino has allowed two runs or less in three of his last five appearances. The Mets are 1-4 in that five-game stretch, including a 7-2 loss against the Giants on Saturday. Severino took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and went onto give up just one run on two hits in seven innings. He ended up earning a no-decision, as the Mets threw away a late lead to lose in extra innings. Severino has been at his best at Citi Field, going 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA in six home starts. The right-hander has faced 27 of the 30 teams in the league during his career. One of three he has yet to pitch against is the Diamondbacks, who he will match up against this weekend.
Saturday, June 1, 2024: LHP Blake Walston (0-0, 2.16 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (3-1, 3.16 ERA)
Blake Walston made his Major League debut on May 1 against the Dodgers, throwing 3 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. On Sunday, he made his first start, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a 3-1 loss against the Miami Marlins. Walston has four pitches: a four-seam fastball, curveball, cutter, changeup and a sweeper. He throws all of those pitches at least 11 percent of the time. The left-hander is the No. 26 prospect in the Diamondbacks system, rising up the system since being drafted in 2019.
Sean Manaea has been a consistent piece of the Mets’ rotation, giving them quality innings every fifth day. Besides one bad start in the middle of April, the left-hander has been excellent. Manaea owns a 2.70 ERA over his last seven appearances, throwing 36 2/3 innings during that stretch. While he has been good, the veteran has yet to record an out in the seventh inning this season. If he can provide a bit more length, that will take some stress off the bullpen. Manaea is 4-2 with a 3.42 ERA in 11 career appearances against Arizona.
Sunday, June 2, 2024: RHP Brandon Pfaadt (2-4, 4.16 ERA) vs. RHP Tylor Megill (0-2, 1.69 ERA)
Brandon Pfaadt burst onto the scene during the 2023 postseason, pitching to a 3.27 ERA in five starts. He was terrific in the NLDS against the Dodgers and the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies, one of the biggest reasons why the Diamondbacks were able to advance to the World Series. Pfaadt has been good but not great in May, owning a 1-3 record with a 3.66 ERA in 32 innings. He took the loss in his last outing against the Rangers, giving up four runs on six hits in seven innings. Pfaadt will be making his first career start against the Mets on Sunday.
Tylor Megill’s return to the Mets’ rotation has felt like a breath of fresh air over the last 10 days. The right-hander missed seven weeks with a should strain, but since returning, he has looked really sharp. Megill had what is likely the best start of his career to this point on Tuesday against the Dodgers. He was in complete control, throwing seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out nine. His performance was more than deserving of a victory, but the bullpen failed to finish the job in the final two innings. Megill is 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts since coming off the injured list. Sunday’s start will be the second of his career against Arizona, allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings the last time he faced them.
