Mets Start Dodgers Series Two Games Back, 7:10 PM – Alonso Gets Day Off

Friday, September 13, 2019 • 7:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Clayton Kershaw (13-5, 3.06) vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard (10-7, 4.06)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050 AM

The Mets did it! The Mets needed to go at least 3-1 against the Diamondbacks to stay relevant in the Wild Card race and instead the Mets swept the four game set! Yesterday the Nationals, Cubs, Brewers and Phillies all won so the race didn’t change. The Mets and Phillies are still tied at 2.0 games out, the Cubs and Brewers are still tied for the second wild card spot. Now the Mets just need to survive a tough 3-game set with the Dodgers and make a serious push at the end of the month.

Mets Lineup

1. Amed Rosario – SS
2. J.D. Davis – LF
3. Jeff McNeil – 3B
4. Wilson Ramos – C
5. Robinson Cano – 2B
6. Todd Frazier – 1B
7. Michael Conforto – RF
8. Juan Lagares – CF
9. Noah Syndergaard – RHP

Dodgers Lineup

1. Joc Pederson – RF
2. Max Muncy – 1B
3. Matt Beaty – 3B
4. Cody Bellinger – CF
5. Corey Seager – SS
6. A.J. Pollock – LF
7. Gavin Lux – 2B
8. Will Smith – C
9. Clayton Kershaw – LHP

Before we talk about today, let’s talk about yesterday. The Mets were on fire. They hit 6 homers including a two homer game for Juan Lagares (with a grand slam) and Michael Conforto‘s 30th homer of the year. Stroman had a good, solid start allowing 1 run over 6.1 innings. Zamora struggled behind him, getting an out and a walk but Mazza finished off the 7th without letting the game get away. Mazza, with 6.43 ERA then pitched a clean rest of the game. It was the second game in a row with all bullpen pitchers having above a 5 ERA not allowing any runs.

Noah Syndergaard looks to make a strong statement against the Dodgers in the opener. He is 10-7 over 28 starts and 175.0 innings with a 4.06 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 1.189 WHIP and 100 ERA+. He started off September with a great start against the Nationals, allowing no runs over 7.0 innings and followed it with a poor start against the Phillies, allowing 4 runs over 5.0 innings. Against the Dodgers in LA at the end of May he allowed 3 runs over 6.0 innings from 7 hits and 2 walks. The Dodgers have the following numbers against him:

• Corey Seager 5-12, 2 2B, HR, 4 K
• Justin Turner 3-10, 2 2B, BB, 4 K
• Joc Pederson 0-9, BB, 5 K
• Jedd Gyorko 1-7, HR, 3 K
• A.J. Pollock 1-3, 2B, BB, K
• Cody Bellinger 0-3
• Max Muncy 1-3, 2B

The Mets bats will try to keep the same energy from the last two games against Clayton Kershaw tonight. Kershaw is 13-5 over 25 starts and 159.0 innings with a 3.06 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.050 WHIP, 135 ERA+. He’s coming off a series of not so Kershaw like starts. In his last four games he has allowed 14 runs over 22.0 innings from 22 hits and 8 walks (while striking out 30), a 5.73 ERA. In that same stretch he has allowed 9 homers. He allowed 3 runs from 10 hits and a walk in 6.0 innings last May. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Joe Panik 11-41, HR, 3 K
• Todd Frazier 5-18, 2 2B, 5 K
• Juan Lagares 1-18, 4 K
• Jed Lowrie 2-12, 4 K
• Robinson Cano 0-9, K
• Michael Conforto 2-8, 2 2B, BB, 2 K
• Amed Rosario 2-4, 2 2B
• Pete Alonso 1-3
• J.D. Davis 1-3, HR, K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-2, 2 K

Game Notes

Mickey Callaway said Pete Alonso is simply getting some rest because he recently looked fatigued.

The Mets are batting .281 (104-370) with 65 runs, 20 doubles, 25 home runs, 63 RBI, 41 walks, a .357 OBP, .538 SLG and an .895 OPS this month. The team’s .281 batting average ranks second in the majors and leads the National League, while their .357 OBP leads the majors. New York’s 25 home runs this month are tied for third in the majors.

Seven Mets have recorded 50 or more RBI this season, tying a franchise record. The 2017, 2000 and 1997 Mets also had seven players record 50 RBI.

Let’s Go Mets!