Game Preview: Mets vs Pirates, 4:05 PM
Saturday, July 6, 2024 • 4:05 PM
PNC Park • Pittsburgh, PA
LHP David Peterson (3-0, 3.51) vs. LHP Bailey Falter (4-6, 3.87)
SNY
Friday night’s game was a bit of a disaster for the Mets who lost 14-2 and gave up seven home runs to the Pirates. This stretched the Mets losing streak to three games and was one of the more lopsided losses of the season. The Mets will try to snap this losing streak and channel all the Grimace they can as they take on the Pirates for game two this afternoon.
The big update for the Mets is the return of Edwin Díaz, who was suspended for 10 games for using sticky stuff. His suspension, MLB’s suspension rules have made things difficult for the Mets who have had to work without one of their best relievers and down a player in the bullpen. We have seen time and time again over the last week and a half that being down one person in the bullpen quickly eats away at everyone’s stamina.
Jul 1, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
Mets Lineup
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Brandon Nimmo – LF
- J.D. Martinez – DH
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- Mark Vientos – 3B
- Luis Torrens – C
- Tyrone Taylor – RF
- Jose Iglesias – 2B
- Harrison Bader – CF
David Peterson has made six starts for the Mets this season totaling 33 1/3 innings with a 3.51 ERA, 4.63 FIP, 1.440 WHIP, and a 110 ERA+. Last time out against the Nationals he allowed two runs from seven hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings. In his last three starts he has allowed only five runs despite allowing 14 hits and walking nine batters – while the Mets hope he has a quieter afternoon with runners on the basepaths, he has shown an ability to get out of trouble this season.
Peterson had a relief outing against the Pirates back in 2023 where he allowed one run from three hits and six walks over 3 2/3 innings. The Pirates have the following career numbers against him:
- Joey Bart 1-5, 2 K
- Oneil Cruz 0-1, K
- Ke’Bryan Hayes 1-2, BB, K
- Connor Joe 0-0, 2 BB
- Andrew McCutchen 1-11, HR, 4 BB, 2 K
- Joshua Palacios 0-2, K
- Bryan Reynolds 0-4, 2 K
- Michael A. Taylor 0-5, K
- Jared Triolo 0-1, BB, K
Opposing Lineup
- Andrew McCutchen – DH
- Bryan Reynolds – LF
- Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B
- Connor Joe – 1B
- Nick Gonzales -2B
- Joshua Palacios – RF
- Joey Bart – C
- Oneil Cruz – SS
- Michael A. Taylor – CF
The Mets bats will face Bailey Falter tonight. Over 16 starts and 88 1/3 innings, Falter has a 3.87 ERA, 4.47 FIP, 1.147 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. So far this has been Falter’s best year in the major leagues and thankfully for the Mets, Falter is having his best year with the Pirates and not for his original team that traded him in 2023 – the Phillies.
Falter already faced the Mets this season and was pretty solid, holding the Mets to two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against Falter:
- Pete Alonso 1-8, HR, BB, K
- Francisco Alvarez 2-4
- Harrison Bader 0-2, K
- Ben Gamel 0-5, K
- Francisco Lindor 2-8, 3 BB, K
- Jeff McNeil 1-8, 2 K
- Brandon Nimmo 3-10, HR, BB, 4 K
- Tyrone Taylor 2-6, K
- Luis Torrens 0-2
- Mark Vientos 0-2
Game Notes
- The Mets are 2-3 this month, posting a 5.93 ERA while batting .197/.235/.405. This compares to a 16-8 record with a 4.17 ERA and a .280/.356/.504 slashline in June. The team’s .197 average in July is 25th in the majors, while their .356 OBP is 30th.
- In 42 games this season, Mark Vientos is batting .291 (43-148) with 26 runs, eight doubles, 11 home runs, 29 RBI with 13 walks, a .346 OBP, a .568 SLG with a .913 OPS.
- Prior to today’s game, the Mets announced the following roster moves. RHP Eric Orze (#53) has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. RHP Ty Adcock was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse following last night’s game. Orze’s first appearance will be his major league debut. The right-handed pitcher was selected in the 5th round of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of New Orleans. He has appeared in 26 games at Triple-A this year, going 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA (16 ER/38.1 IP) with 22 walks and 56 strikeouts. In addition, RHP Edwin Díaz is expected to be reinstated from a 10-game suspension.
Three Things To Watch For
- Keeping the ball in the ballpark. Luis Severino gave up three homers on Friday. Adcock allowed three. Diekman gave up a solo shot and failed to record an out. The Mets desperately need their pitchers today to keep them in the game. It is clear over the last three games the offense has hit a bit of a rough patch so this is more important than ever for the Mets.
- Pete Alonso: Outside of Jeff McNeil, Alonso is the only Met who had a good day at the plate Friday night going 2-for-3 with a double. In his last nine games, Pete has gone 10-for-34 with two doubles, two home runs, and seven runs scored hitting .294/.385/.529. This is even better when you consider that there was a 0-for-7 skid between July 3rd and July 4th.
- The Bullpen is actually good to go. Luis Severino struggled on Friday, but he still gave the Mets six innings. Tyler Adcock was forced to push through a large chunk of the relief outing. As a result, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Núñez, and José Buttó have all not been used in three calendar days (Garrett hasn’t gone since Monday). Ottavino has had two days of rest and Houser has had one day and only tossed 15 pitches his last time out.
Let’s go Mets!
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