Series Preview: Mets Searching for Answers Against Mariners

The New York Mets (64-57) are trending in the worst direction imaginable. After holding a comfortable lead in the National League East mere weeks ago, they now sit in the final Wild Card spot. On days where the offense is clicking, their pitching struggles. On days where the pitching staff keeps opposing teams in check, the lineup goes missing. It will not get any easier for them, as the Seattle Mariners (67-55) come to town. They have closed the gap on the Houston Astros in the American League West, helped out by the additions of Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez.

Let’s take a look at some notes ahead of the three pitching matchups.

PITCHING MATCHUPS

• Friday: Luis Castillo (8-6, 3.19 ERA) vs. Sean Manaea (1-1, 4.33 ERA): Castillo is enjoying his strongest stretch of the year. Over his last eight starts, he is 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA. Castillo has been a workhorse, throwing at least six innings in five of those starts. He has pitched to more contact this season, owning a career-low 7.8 strikeouts per nine. Castillo is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five career starts against the Mets. Manaea began his season by allowing one earned run in four consecutive starts. Since then, however, it has not gone well for him. Manaea has pitched to a 8.38 ERA over his last 9 2/3 frames. The middle innings in particular have really hurt him. Manaea will look to get back on track against the Mariners, who he is 8-8 with a 3.88 ERA against in his career.
• Saturday: Bryan Woo (10-6, 3.08 ERA) vs. Nolan McLean (5-4, 2.78 ERA in AAA): Woo has been the standout performer in the Mariners’ rotation, earning the first All-Star nod of his career last month. He has thrown no less than six innings in all of his 23 starts this season. Absolutely dependable, but Woo is susceptible to the long ball. He has given up 22 home runs this season, which is tied for the eighth-most in the American League. The long-awaited major league debut for McLean is here. It comes at a desperate time, with the Mets’ rotation struggling to provide any type of length. McLean has pitched well in recent weeks with Syracuse, owning a 3-0 record with a 2.87 ERA since the start of July. Keep an eye on his sweeper, which is widely considered his best weapon.
• Sunday: George Kirby (8-5, 3.71 ERA) vs. Clay Holmes (9-6, 3.71 ERA): Kirby got off to a slow start, beginning the year on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. But over the last few months, he has shown the quality and consistency required of an ace. Since June 25, Kirby is 7-2 with a 2.32 ERA across 54 1/3 innings. Within one of the best rotations in baseball, he may have the highest ceiling of them all. The conversation surrounding Holmes is whether or not the Mets will move him back into the bullpen. With options like McLean and Brandon Sproat existing, the buzz around a change in his role has increased. Holmes has not thrown six innings or more in a start since June 7 against the Colorado Rockies. The Mets could use a far lengthier outing from him on Sunday.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

It’s no secret that the Mets’ playoff spot is in danger. A 2-13 stretch has left them with a minuscule half-game cushion for the third Wild Card spot in the National League. For the better part of two months, fans have been waiting for this group to click and put it all together. Is there time to collect themselves and go on a run? Absolutely, but patience is running out. The thought of the Mets missing the playoff was unthinkable in May and June. Now, that is very much a possibility.

PREDICTION

A lot of attention has been put on the Milwaukee Brewers, and rightfully so, but the new-look Mariners are right there with them as the hottest teams in baseball. With the Mets playing far below their highest level, it’s difficult to see them having much success this weekend. The Mariners will take two of three at Citi Field.

The post Series Preview: Mets Searching for Answers Against Mariners appeared first on Metsmerized Online.