Game Chat: Mets vs Padres, 8:40 PM

Saturday, August 24, 2024 • 8:40 PM
Petco Park • San Diego, CA
LHP David Peterson (7-1, 3.00) vs. RHP Michael Kings (11-6, 3.18)
WPIX

Friday’s game against the Padres was pretty much the opposite of Thursday’s. The Mets bats couldn’t get much going, Paul Blackburn struggled on the mound before leaving the game after taking a comebacker to his pitching hand. The Braves won. Just an ugly night for the Amazins.

But tonight is a new night and the Mets hottest pitcher for the last month, David Peterson is on the mound. Can the Mets behind Peterson get through Michael King during his meteoric season?

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Mark Vientos – 3B
3. Brandon Nimmo – CF
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. J.D. Martinez – DH
6. Jesse Winker – LF
7. Starling Marte – RF
8. Francisco Alvarez – C
9. Jeff McNeil – 2B

David Peterson has made 14 starts this season totaling 78 innings with a 3.00 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 1.359 WHIP, and a 130 ERA+. His 130 ERA+ is his best mark for his career, his closest being a 125 ERA+ during his rookie season. Peterson has made four starts throughout August totaling 24 1/3 innings with a 1.85 ERA (3.09 FIP) striking out 21 batters. The Padres batters have the following career numbers against Peterson:

• Luis Arraez 1-2, BB
• Xander Bogaerts 0-11, BB, 2 K
• Luis Campusano 2-2
• Jake Cronenworth 2-7, BB, K
• Bryce Johnson 0-0, BB
• Manny Machado 2-7, 2B, BB, 2 K
• David Peralta 0-1, K
• Jurickson Profar 1-1
• Donovan Solano 1-4, K
• Tyler Wade 0-1

Opposing Lineup

1. Luis Arraez – 1B
2. Jurickson Profar – LF
3. Xander Bogaerts – 2B
4. Manny Machado – 3B
5. Donovan Solano – DH
6. Jackson Merrill – CF
7. Kyle Higashioka – C
8. Bryce Johnson- RF
9. Mason McCoy – SS

Michael King has tossed 141 1/3 innings this season with a 3.18 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.175 WHIP, and a 127 ERA+. Since the end of June, King has been on an absolute tear with a 2.08 ERA and 2.16 FIP over 47 2/3 innings, striking out 58 batters and allowing only two homers. The Mets batters have the following career numbers against King:

• Pete Alonso 1-5, 2 K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-1
• Jose Iglesias 1-4
• Francisco Lindor 0-3, 2 K
• J.D. Martinez 2-11, 2 2B, 3 K
• Jeff McNeil 3-5
• Brandon Nimmo 0-4, 3 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-2, K

Game Notes

• Sean Reid-Foley is still getting work done on his shoulder and is not throwing, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Foley has been on the injured list since June 22 and was recently rehabbing in the minors.
• Huascar Brazobán is still with the Mets in San Diego despite being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Blackburn was injured in Friday’s matchup with the Padres and Brazobán could potentially be promoted if Blackburn hits the injured list.
• Paul Blackburn has a bruised bone after being struck by a comeback Friday. Nothing is broken and Blackburn stated he could potentially make his next start in the rotation. Blackburn labeled the injury as a pain tolerance issue.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Mets bullpen. The Mets bullpen was in a pretty good position going into Friday’s game, but with Paul Blackburn only lasting 2 1/3 innings, the bullpen needed to put in extra work. Ryne Stanek, Danny Young, and Adam Ottavino each tossed multiple innings, allowing only two runs, but the game was already out of reach at that point. Dedniel Núñez rejoined the team before Friday’s game. Edwin Díaz and José Buttó now have had two days off so they are good to go. Seems like the game plan is to get Peterson through six and rely on Núñez, Díaz, and Buttó to close it out.
2. Strikeouts. Michael King has been striking out the world over the last two months. With the exception of a handful of games, the Mets batters have been striking out a ton over the last week to two weeks. Friday night the Mets struck out a combined 14 times with Vientos, Martinez, Marte, Alonso, and McNeil all having at least two. Lindor was the only Mets hitter who didn’t strike out last night.
3. Can Lindor set a personal best for doubles? Lindor hit his 34th double of the season Friday night. That was his fourth double in his last four games. He is now only 10 doubles behind his career-best, 44, which he did way back in 2017. His 34th double was his best as a New York Met (33 last season).

Let’s go Mets!

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