Game Chat: Mets vs Nationals, 11:05 AM

Thursday, July 4, 2024 • 11:05 AM
Nationals Park • Washington, DC
LHP Jose Quintana (3-5, 4.57) vs. RHP Jake Irvin (6-6, 3.03)
SNY • MLBN

Happy 4th of July! The Mets look to celebrate Independence Day in our nation’s capitol, closing out their series with a win! It’s an early start for the Mets who will be playing a rare morning baseball game.

The Mets will be looking to bounce back from yesterday’s loss. They had the lead early but Scott had some trouble deep into his start and the bullpen wasn’t able to bail him out. Losing a five-run lead is always difficult and it’s the second similar loss for the Mets in the last week. Winning today is a great way to reset the vibes!

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Brandon Nimmo – LF
3. Francisco Alvarez – C
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. DJ Stewart – DH
6. Mark Vientos – 3B
7. Ben Gamel – RF
8. Tyrone Taylor – CF
9. Jeff McNeil – 2B

Jose Quintana has made 16 starts for the Mets this season, totaling 82 2/3 innings with a 4.57 ERA, 4.90 FIP, 1.367 WHIP, and an 84 ERA+. Over his last three starts, he has allowed four runs, three earned in 16 1/3 innings of work (1.65 ERA, 3.67 FIP). The biggest change recently for Quintana has been his strikeout numbers, he has 21 over his last three starts. For context, he has only 65 on the season. The Nationals have the following career numbers against him:

• CJ Abrams 0-2
• Luis García Jr. 1-2, 2B, K
• Joey Meneses 2-5, 2B
• Harold Ramírez 2-2
• Keibert Ruiz 1-5
• Nick Senzel 7-18, HR
• Lane Thomas 2-8, K
• Ildemaro Vargas 1-6, 3 K
• Jesse Winker 3-15, 2B, 5 K
• Jacob Young 1-3, 2B

Opposing Lineup

1. CJ Abrams – SS
2. Lane Thomas – RF
3. Harold Ramírez – DH
4. Joey Meneses – 1B
5. James Wood – LF
6. Nick Senzel – 3B
7. Riley Adams – C
8. Idlemaro Vargas – 2B
9. Jacob Young – CF

Jake Irvin is having a nice sophomore year of his major league career. Over 17 games he has pitched 98 innings with a 3.03 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.061 WHIP, and 129 ERA+. In his last two starts, he has allowed two runs over 12 innings from four hits and four walks while striking out 15 batters. Since May 22nd he has pitched 47 1/3 innings with a 2.09 ERA (3.73 FIP).

Irvin made one start against the Mets in 2023 and the Mets got him. He allowed six runs from six hits over 4 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 0-2, 2 K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-2, K
• Francisco Lindor 2-3, 2B, K
• J.D. Martinez 1-4, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 0-3, K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-3

Game Notes

Kodai Senga dominated in his first rehab appearance, striking out six over 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones. He tossed 35 pitches (25 strikes) and the only baserunner against him reached via an error. 

He’s expected to make his next start on Tuesday for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets with a goal of 50 pitches. 

The Mets lost their first game to the Nationals this season on Wednesday. It was the second time this past week that the Mets had a 5-0 lead and finished in the loss column. 

Two Things To Watch For

1. Mets should expect breaking pitches this morning. Jake Irvin is not going to overpower Mets hitters before noon. He only uses his mid-90s fastball 35% of the time. He also throws his curveball 35% of the time (low-80s) and mixes in a sinker, cutter, and changeup. According to Baseball Savant, the run value on his breaking pitches is in the 88th percentile (59th percentile for his fastball).
2. Early Morning Fireworks: The Mets were great at providing fireworks in Wednesday’s game, hitting three home runs between Taylor, Vientos, and Lindor. It’s rare to lose a game when hitting three home runs, but the Mets only had five hits as a team on Wednesday. Overall the Mets have been hitting the ball with authority during this hot streak – hopefully, that continues this morning despite the early game time. 

Let’s go Mets!

 

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