Game Chat: Phillies vs Mets, 5:08 PM

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 • 5:08 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Ranger Suárez (12-8, 3.46) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75)
FS1

The Mets will try to clinch a playoff for the first time ever at Citi Field this afternoon! On Tuesday, the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the five-game series thanks to a dominant start by Sean Manaea, who shut out the Phillies over 7+ innings. Pete Alonso got the scoring going early with a solo shot. Late in the game, the Mets bats built multiple small rallies on their way to a 7-2 victory. Let’s end this tonight in Queens!

Mets Lineup

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

Jose Quintana will start a clinching game for his second straight start. His last start was in a winner-take-all elimination game where he held the Brewers scoreless over six innings, scattering four hits and a walk while striking out five. In the regular season, he tossed 170 1/3 innings with a 3.75 ERA, 4.56 FIP, 1.250 WHIP, and 105 ERA+. Quintana ended the season on a terrific run with a 0.74 ERA and 2.48 FIP over six games. This includes a start against the Phillies in Philly, where Quintana held them scoreless over seven innings. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Alec Bohm 3-15, 2B, HR, 3 K
• Nick Castellanos 13-53, 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 10 K
• Bryce Harper 4-21, 2B, HR, BB, 8 K
• Austin Hays 1-1
• Brandon Marsh 0-2, K
• J.T. Realmuto 4-19, HR, 3 BB, K
• Johan Rojas 5-9, 2 K
• Kyle Schwarber 7-24, 2B, HR, 7 K
• Edmundo Sosa 3-9, 2B, 3 K
• Bryson Stott 0-3, BB, K
• Garrett Stubbs 0-2
• Trea Turner 6-24, 2B, 3 K
• Weston Wilson 0-6, 2 K

Opposing Lineup

1. Kyle Schwarber – DH
2. Trea Turner – SS
3. Bryce Harper – 1B
4. Nicholas Castellanos – RF
5. Alec Bohm – 3B
6. J.T. Realmuto – C
7. Bryson Stott – 2B
8. Weston Wilson – LF
9. Brandon Marsh – CF

Ranger Suárez has pitched 150 2/3 innings over 27 starts with a 3.46 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.201 WHIP and a 117 ERA+. He hasn’t pitched since September 27th, when he allowed six runs over two innings to the Nationals. In his last six starts of the season, he had a 6.49 ERA and 5.37 FIP over 26 1/3 innings, allowing five homers. This includes a start against the Mets where Suárez allowed two runs, both solo home runs, over five innings in a game the Mets won 6-3. Throughout the season, Suárez has a 2.30 ERA over three starts against the Mets. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Luisangel Acuña 1-2, HR
• Pete Alonso 2-17, 2 2B, 8 BB, 4 K
• Francisco Alvarez 1-7, HR, 3 K
• Harrison Bader 1-7
• Jose Iglesias 6-8, 2 2B, K
• Francisco Lindor 5-16, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Starling Marte 6-19, 2B, 2 BB, K
• J.D. Martinez 2-9, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-25, 3 BB, 4 K
• Tyrone Taylor 2-7, K
• Luis Torrens 1-5, BB, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 3-15, 2B, HR, 7 K
• Jesse Winker 1-5, 2 K

Game Notes

Jesse Winker became the first designated hitter in Mets postseason history to hit a home run. He certainly enjoyed the upper deck blast.

The Scottsdale Scorpions made their 2024 Arizona Fall League debut on Tuesday night. Mets prospects Jett Williams, Drew Gilbert, and Jacob Reimer (two RBIs) each had one hit and knocked in at least one run. Right-hander Saul Garcia pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

The Mets are 13-for-29 with six walks when facing relievers with runners in scoring position during the 2024 postseason.

Bartolo Colón will catch the first pitch tonight from Daniel Murphy.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Pete Alonso. The postseason can completely rewrite a regular season. In Alonso’s last four games, he has gone 3-for-14, with all three hits being home runs, and has walked three times. All three homers have been to the opposite field. He saved the Mets’ season in Milwaukee. He energized Citi Field. The Mets are just more fun with Pete Alonso is hitting his stride.
2. The Mets Approach. It was clear the Mets had a specific approach Tuesday with Aaron Nola. The Mets were aggressive, swinging at first pitch, not waiting for Nola to drop his curveball all over the place. Do they do the same with Ranger today or try to get him to work a bit more and get himself in trouble. For example, Alonso only has two hits in 17 at-bats but has eight walks (.118 BA vs. .400 OBP, thus showing why batting average is a terrible stat). The Mets have also shown they are not afraid of the Phillies bullpen.
3. The Phillies Approach. Zack Wheeler was fantastic against the Mets in game one. If this series goes to five games, the Mets will face Wheeler again in Philly. If the Phillies lose today, there is no game on Friday. Could the Phillies empty out their bullpen tonight? There’s no reason to keep anyone with this being an elimination game, and their best pitcher is waiting for game five. The Mets’ pass-the-baton approach has been effective against the Phillies going back to September and has to be weighing on the minds of the Phillies’ relievers.

Let’s go Mets!

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