Game Chat: Mets vs Diamondbacks, 9:40 PM

Monday, May 5, 2025 • 9:40 PM
Chase Field • Phoenix, AZ
RHP Griffin Canning (4-1, 2.61) vs. RHP Ryne Nelson (1-0, 5.82)
SNY

Sunday was a weird day in Mets land. The Mets lost both games by a total of two runs while leaving a whopping 22 runners on base. In addition to racking up base runners, it just felt like the Mets were getting unlucky with balls batted in play. For example, in the second game, Juan Soto had a home run robbed that had an xBA of .890. Later, he would line out to left field with a ball that had an xBA of .690.

As we’ve seen for the Mets multiple times this season, what is the best solution to an unlucky or frustrating outcome? Win a baseball game. The Mets will head to Arizona on Monday to try to take the series season against the Diamondbacks after dropping a series in Queens last week.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Pete Alonso, 1B
4. Starling Marte, DH
5. Brandon Nimmo, LF
6. Mark Vientos, 3B
7. Francisco Alvarez, C
8. Jeff McNeil, 2B
9. Tyrone Taylor, CF

Griffin Canning gets things started for the Mets. Over six starts and 31 innings, Canning has a 2.61 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 1.387 WHIP and a 149 ERA+. He’s coming off one of his best starts of the season, where he allowed no runs from four hits and three walks over five innings. Like many Mets starters, the thing holding Canning back is how deep he can go in a game. He has entered the sixth inning in half of his starts and has finished the sixth only once. The Diamondbacks have the following career numbers against him:

• Corbin Carroll 0-3
• Randal Grichuk 1-6, K
• Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 2-8, HR, K
• Ketel Marte 1-5, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Gabriel Moreno 0-2
• Josh Naylor 2-6
• Geraldo Perdomo 0-2, BB
• Pavin Smith 1-2, K
• Eugenio Suárez 0-3, 2 K
• Alek Thomas 0-3, 2 K

Opposing Lineup

1. Corbin Carroll, RF
2. Ketel Marte, 2B
3. Pavin Smith, DH
4. Josh Naylor, 1B
5. Eugenio Suárez, 3B
6. Gabriel Moreno, C
7. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., LF
8. Alek Thomas, CF
9. Geraldo Perdomo, SS

Corbin Burnes was supposed to start the series against the Mets. He’s been experiencing should inflammation, and the Diamondbacks are skipping his spot in the rotation, sending out Ryne Nelson instead. Nelson started 25 games in 2024 (28 games overall), pitching 150 2/3 innings with a 4.24 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.254 WHIP and a 99 ERA+. This season, the Diamondbacks have been using him as a reliever, pitching 17 innings over seven games with a 5.82 ERA, 2.19 FIP, 1.176 WHIP and a 73 ERA+. He last pitched against the Mets, holding the Mets scoreless and hitless over four innings in a game the Mets won 8-3. The Mets have the following career numbers against Nelson:

• Luisangel Acuña 0-2
• Pete Alonso 4-9, 3 HR, K
• Francisco Alvarez 1-6, HR, 3 K
• José Azócar 0-3, K
• Francisco Lindor 4-8, 2 3B, HR, 3 K
• Starling Marte 1-5, BB
• Jeff McNeil 3-7, 2 2B
• Brandon Nimmo 4-7, 2B, 3B, BB
• Juan Soto 3-12, 3B, 2 HR, 5 BB, 2 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-2, K
• Luis Torrens 0-2
• Mark Vientos 1-4
• Jesse Winker 3-8, 2 HR, 2 K

Game Notes

• Before Monday’s game, the Mets officially placed Jesse Winker on the injured list with a right oblique injury. They recalled Brett Baty to take his spot on the roster.
• A handful of Mets prospects were given monthly and weekly awards. Find out who here.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Hits with RISP. Here’s a positive outlook – the Mets had six hits with runners in scoring position on Sunday. They did, however, go a combined 6-for-26, which is just an insane stat, but that makes sense when you leave 22 runners on base over two games. The Mets did have some rallies on Sunday, like the eighth inning in the first game. They couldn’t get the hit to get them ahead late in the game.
2. Hitting Depth. Jesse Winker needed an MRI after the first game on Sunday after experiencing oblique pain. Mendoza told reporters that the MRI wasn’t clean and Winker would return to New York. The Mets also pulled Marte out early in the second game, but Mendoza said that was a planned move. The Mets this season have been dealing with hitting depth issues for the vast majority of the season, like when McNeil and Alvarez started the season on the injured list.
3. Top of the lineup. It’s no secret that the top of the Mets lineup is driving the team. Lindor, Soto and Alonso have a .814 OPS, .808 OPS and 1.124 OPS, respectively (133, 133, 220 OPS+). These are numbers I would dream about a few seasons ago. After the top, the Mets have room to grow. On the season, Vientos has a .682 OPS, and Nimmo has a .698 OPS. While both players have had huge days at the plate over the last two weeks, the Mets need both to become more consistent.

Let’s go Mets!

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