Game Chat: Mets vs Diamondbacks, 9:40 PM

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 • 9:40 PM
Chase Field • Phoenix, AZ
RHP Luis Severino (9-6, 3.84) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodríguez (2-0, 3.94)
SNY

The Mets look to take a critically important series tonight against the Diamondbacks. On Tuesday, the Mets opened the series with an impressive 8-3 win that included a six-run fifth inning in which the Mets had five extra-base hits, including four doubles. The Padres and the Braves also won, so the Mets remain three games out of the last wild card spot.

Since the Diamondbacks hold the first wild card spot, the Mets at least succeeded in collapsing the space between all four teams.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Mark Vientos – 3B
3. Starling Marte – RF
4. Brandon Nimmo – LF
5. Pete Alonso – 1B
6. J.D. Martinez – DG
7. Jose Iglesias – 2B
8. Francisco Alvarez – C
9. Harrison Bader – CF

Luis Severino has tossed 147 2/3 innings over 25 games with a 3.84 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 1.239 WHIP and a 103 ERA+. In his last two starts, he has allowed only one run over 14 innings, scattering nine hits and five walks while striking out 13. This includes a complete game shutout and a slightly shorter start against the Padres due to walking four batters.

Severino struggled in his earlier start against the Diamondbacks this season, allowing five runs, four earned, over 5 1/3 innings. The Diamondbacks have the following career numbers against him:

• Josh Bell 1-8, BB, K
• Corbin Carroll 2-3
• Randal Grichuk 2-6, HR
• Luis Guillorme 1-3
• Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 2-13, 5 K
• Jake McCarthy 0-2
• Kevin Newman 1-4, 2 K
• Joc Pederson 1-2, K
• Eugenio Suarez 2-5, 2B, HR, BB

Opposing Lineup

1. Corbin Carroll – RF
2. Jake McCarthy – CF
3. Joc Pederson – DH
4. Josh Bell – 1B
5. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – LF
6. Adrian Del Castillo – C
7. Eugenio Suarez – 3B
8. Luis Guillorme – 2B
9. Geraldo Perdomo – SS

The Mets bats will finally get a look at Eduardo Rodríguez tonight, who was originally set to start the series’ first game. Rodríguez started the season on the injured list with a lat muscle injury and made his 2024 debut in early August.

Over three starts this season, he has pitched 16 innings with a 3.94 ERA, 4.17 FIP, 1.250 WHIP, and a 106 ERA+. He’s coming off his best start so far, where he held the Marlins to one run over 5 1/3 innings, scattering six hits and a walk. The Mets have the following career numbers against Rodríguez:

• Pete Alonso 0-4, BB, 3 K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-2
• Harrison Bader 0-1, 2 BB
• José Iglesias 5-12, 2 2B, HR, K
• Francisco Lindor 3-16, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Starling Marte 1-5, BB, K
• J.D. Martinez 3-5, 2 HR, 2 BB
• Jeff McNeil 0-3, K
• Brandon Nimmo 1-6, 3 K
• Luis Torrens 1-3, K

Game Notes

Mets 2024 draft pick Carson Benge has homered in two straight games for Low-A St. Lucie.

Tylor Megill has been confirmed as the Mets’ starter for Friday.

Carlos Mendoza said the Mets value speed and versatility when rosters expand on September 1st. Mets prospect Luisangel Acuña fills both boxes and is on the 40-man roster. Acuña had four hits, including a home run on Tuesday night for Triple-A.

Three Things To Watch For

1. We are here for a Brandon Nimmo hot streak. Brandon Nimmo opened August with a 3-for-5 performance against the Angels. He struggled in the 18 games after that, hitting .164/.260/.343. Tuesday night, he went 3-for-5 with a double. The last time he had multiple hits in back-to-back games was June 30th and July 2nd. The Mets need that Nimmo back!
2. J.D. Martinez. Is he getting Dad strength? Martinez has gone 4-for-8 in his last two games with a homer, a walk and three runs scored. He will also be a Dad soon with his wife due next week. Congrats J.D.!
3. Mark Vientos. Vientos might as well be the player to watch for the series. He recorded his second straight multi-hit game on Tuesday. Since August 15th, Vientos has 16 hits, with seven of them being for extra-bases. He’s slashed .314/.352/.608 over this stretch. He’s had multiple hits in six of the twelve games since the 15th.

Let’s go Mets!

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