MMO Game Thread: Nationals vs Mets, 7:10 PM
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Tuesday, April 26, 2023 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, New York
RHP Josiah Gray (0-4, 3.74) vs. RHP José Butto (0-0, 1.80)
SNY
The Mets finally return home! While the last two games were disappointing, the Mets went 7-3 on a 10-game road trip and took two of three games from the Dodgers. After the Mets’ 3-4 start to the season, they have won or split all five of their last five series. After spring training and a road trip to start the year, the Mets were only home for six games before they went out west for a California adventure. We are hoping the Mets look fresh and rested after the off day as they welcome the Nationals to Citi Field for the first time season.
Today’s game should have involved the former National Max Scherzer getting the start against the player he was traded for Josiah Gray. As you know by now, Max’s hands were too sticky according to umpire Phil Cuzzi, leading to Max’s ejection in his last start. The Mets asked Max not to appeal the suspension, because the Mets would have been at risk of losing a roster spot if the suspension was upheld. Instead, we get José Butto!
Mets Lineup
Back at home as the Mets begin a series with the Nationals.
José Butto is on the bump for his second start of the season. #LGM pic.twitter.com/w1uaigt0UZ
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) April 25, 2023
You may be thinking “Hey! I thought José Butto wasn’t eligible yet because the Mets just sent him down after a spot start last week.” You would be correct, except the Mets moved Edwin Uceta to the 15-day injured list, which allows the team to recall Butto. Is this a phantom injury? I’m not really sure!
José Butto made a spot start for the Mets against the Athletics on April 16. Butto did well, allowing only one run over five innings from five hits and four walks while striking out two. Butto has not pitched in a game since being sent down. Overall he’s allowed two runs from six hits and 9 2/3 innings for Syracuse this season.
He has not faced the Nationals before.
Opposing Lineup
It’s a Gray Day in Queens.#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/tsyAMwonvG
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 25, 2023
Josiah Gray has pitched 21 2/3 innings with a 3.74 ERA, 5.77 FIP, 1.477 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. In his first start of the season against the Braves, he allowed five runs from seven hits and two walks over five innings, including three homers. Since then he has allowed only four runs over 16 2/3 innings (2.16 ERA, 4.28 FIP) and only one homer. That only one homer in his last three starts is huge. His major weak point in his game since his call-up has been homers. He gave up a league-leading 38 last year. Last year he allowed 2.3 HR/9, down to 1.7 HR/9 this season with most of that happening in the first game.
Last season the Mets tagged Gray for 10 runs in nine innings over two starts from 14 hits and six walks. The Mets have the following career numbers against Gray:
- Pete Alonso 3-6, 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 0-5, 2 BB, 2 K
- Jeff McNeil 4-6, 2B, HR
- Starling Marte 1-6
- Brandon Nimmo 3-6, 2B, K
- Mark Canha 1-3, BB, K
- Eduardo Escobar 2-3, 2B, HR
- Tomás Nido 1-3
- Tommy Pham 1-2, HR, BB, K
- Daniel Vogelbach 0-1, 2 BB
Game Notes
Justin Verlander will pitch three or four innings in a rehab start Friday then should be good to pitch in the majors on May 3 against the Tigers.
Before the game, the Mets called up José Butto and placed Edwin Uceta on the injured list.
Three Things To Watch For
- Mets complete the deconstructed 2023 cookie club tour. The 2019 Mets had a cookie club that ordered late-night cookies after games and was just the heartwarming story we all needed. Members included current Mets Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo and former Mets J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith. The Mets just finished a four-game series against the Giants where we got to visit with Davis and Conforto. Tonight the Mets welcome the last, and certainly not least, member back to Citi Field. Dominic Smith played for the Mets for six seasons. At times he flashed the potential that he still has! Other times he looked lost at the plate. This year he’s slashing .233/.325/.233 – the power isn’t there yet, but he’s getting on base at a clip better than his career numbers. This is as good a time as ever to remember Dominic’s best hit as a Met. He spent the last two months of the cookie club season on the injured list with a fracture in his left foot. In the last game of the season, Smith was given a chance to take an at-bat with the Mets down two in the bottom of the 11th. The rest is pure Mets lore.
- Gray and Walks: Gray led the league in walks last year with 66. So far this year he has walked nine batters. That’s good for a 3.7 BB/9 rate, just a slight drop from last year’s 4.0 BB/9 rate. The Mets are one of the best teams at working the count and getting the free pass. Watch for the “walk and blast” game plan tonight.
- Francisco Lindor’s Good Start: Pete Alonso has been getting a ton of attention with his homers. Brandon Nimmo has been getting attention for his other-worldly start. Lindor is quietly putting together a strong campaign too. Boosted by 11 walks, Lindor has a .333 OBP and a .465 slugging (thanks to his four homers and nine doubles). All of this has led to a 121 OPS+ for the Mets superstar.
Let’s go Mets!
The post MMO Game Thread: Nationals vs Mets, 7:10 PM first appeared on Metsmerized Online.