MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Tigers, 1:10 PM
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Thursday, May 4, 2023 • 1:10 PM
Comerica Park • Detroit, Michigan
RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, -.–) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-2, 2.21)
SNY – MLB Network
The Mets lost both games of yesterday’s doubleheader and now have lost eight of their last ten games. The mood around the team is absolutely brutal right now. The starting pitching didn’t give the Mets a chance in both games of their doubleheader yesterday. While the Mets were able to mount a comeback in the first game, which they eventually lost, the team just looked lost in the night cap.
But today is a big day for the Mets. Justin Verlander will finally make his 2023 Mets debut. One starting pitcher won’t magically make the Mets better right now, but they need something positive to start creating some momentum.
Mets Lineup
JV Day! #LGM pic.twitter.com/fWyDimWviB
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) May 4, 2023
Justin Verlander is coming off of a Cy Young award-winning season where he pitched 175 innings with a 1.75 ERA, 2.49 FIP, 0.829 WHIP and a 223 ERA+. He lead the league last season in wins, ERA, ERA+, WHIP and H/9. In his rehab start last week he allowed no runs from two hits and a walk while striking out six over 4 2/3 innings. He tossed 69 pitches in the game. It’s unclear right now how deep into the game he can go, but right now I’ll take 70, effective Verlander pitches. The Tigers have the following career numbers against him:
- Jonathan Schoop 5-21, 2 2B, 3 HR, 5 K
- Andy Ibáñez 1-4
- Matt Vierling 0-2, K
Opposing Lineup
Calling on E-Rod to close out the series.
Watch the finale on @BallySportsDET and @MLBNetwork. pic.twitter.com/1cB6kuHfNP
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 4, 2023
The Mets bats will try to reset their season while going up against Eduardo Rodriguez who is currently having the best season of his career. Over six starts and 36 2/3 innings, Rodriguez has a 2.21 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 0.873 WHIP and a 194 ERA+. In his last four starts, he has allowed only two runs from 16 hits and three walks over 26 2/3 innings (0.68 ERA). The Mets have the following career numbers against Eduardo:
- Tommy Pham 4-14, 2B, 3 K
- Francisco Lindor 3-13, 2B, BB
- Mark Canha 0-13, 5 K
- Starling Marte 0-2, BB, K
- Brandon Nimmo 1-3, 2 K
- Pete Alonso 0-1, BB, K
- Tomás Nido 1-2
Game Notes
The Mets made a series of moves before the game, including signing right-handed reliever Dominic Leone to a major league deal and activating him today.
Three Things To Watch For
- Bring Back West Coast Brandon Nimmo: When the Mets were on their West Coast road trip, Brandon Nimmo was hitting the cover off of the ball. On Monday Brandon Nimmo went 2-for-9 with a run scored and four strikeouts. Yesterday Nimmo went 1-for-9 with three strikeouts. The Mets need Nimmo to find that magic again!
- Tommy Pham’s Big Day: Tommy went 3-for-4 in the first game yesterday including a double and a homer. This was the day at the plate that Pham desperately needed. Can Pham start to build off this and become an x-factor?
- Bullpen Check: With early exits from both starting pitchers yesterday, there was heavy bullpen usage. Butto led the way with 42 pitches. Yacabonis was next with 36 pitches. Curtiss, Ottavino and Muckenhirn round out the group. That being said Nogosek, Robertson, Brigham and Smith have all not pitched since Monday and should be good to go today.
Let’s go Mets!
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