Game Thread: Mets vs Phillies, 7:05 PM

Monday, April 15, 2019 • 7:05 p.m.
Citizens Bank Park • Philadelphia, PA
RHP Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 4.74) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-0, 6.46)
SNY • ESPN • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050 AM

After taking the first two games from the Braves, the Mets dropped two in a row to split the series and now travel to Philly to face the team they are a half game behind in the standings. The Mets at 9-6 have split the difference with every opponent so far this season with the exception of a sweep of the Marlins. The four teams on top of the division are similar and all could benefit from Keuchel, Kimbrel or both, which will continue to become “Exhibit A” in the collusion case against the owners.

Mets Lineup

1. Brandon Nimmo CF
2. Pete Alonso 1B
3. Robinson Cano 2B
4. Michael Conforto RF
5. Wilson Ramos C
6. Jeff McNeil LF
7. Amed Rosario SS
8. J.D. Davis 3B
9. Noah Syndergaard RHP

Phillies Lineup

1. Andrew McCutchen LF
2. Jean Segura SS
3. Bryce Harper RF
4. Rhys Hoskins 1B
5. J.T. Realmuto C
6. Odubel Herrera CF
7. Cesar Hernandez SS
8. Maikel Franco 3B
9. Aaron Nola RHP

Noah Syndergaard is on the bump for the Amazin’s tonight. He’s 1-1 over his first three starts of the season with a 4.74 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 0.789 WHIP and a 87 ERA+ in his first 19.0 innings. Two of those stats say he’s struggling. two of those stats say he’s excelling. All of them are subject to small sample size bias. He made 4 starts against the Phillies last year, more than any other team and he allowed 13 runs of 28 hits and 12 walks in 20.1 innings, a 5.75 ERA. The Phillies have the following numbers against Syndergaard:

• Bryce Harper 7-24, 2B, 4 BB, 7 K
• Cesar Hernandez 8-22, 4 BB, 6 K
• Odubel Herrera 2-20, HR, 2 BB, 4 K
• Maikel Franco 5-19, 2B, 4 K
• Rhys Hoskins 4-9, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB
• Aaron Altherr 1-11, K
• Andrew McCutchen 1-8, 2B, 3 K
• J.T. Realmuto 1-8
• Aaron Nola 0-7, 4 K

The Mets bats draw the Phillies ace, Aaron Nola who competed with Scherzer and deGrom for the Cy Young last year. Last year he was 17-6 over 33 games and 212.2 innings with a 2.37 ERA, 224 K’s, 3.01 FIP, 0.975 WHIP, and a 175 ERA+. He has had a bumpy start to the season allowing 12 runs, 11 earned over 15.1 innings with a 6.46 ERA, 7.26 FIP, 1.435 WHIP and 72 ERA+.

At some point, you have to feel bad for the Mets bats today. Yesterday they faced Julio Teheran who last year started against the Mets 5 times and had an ERA against them around 1.6 something. Today they face Nola who started against the Mets six times last year and posted a 2.15 ERA over 37.2 innings (nine runs from 26 hits and 11 walks). Back to back days against pitchers who feast on the Mets lineup. The Mets have managed these numbers against Nola in his career:

• Michael Conforto 3-21, HR, 2 BB, 8 K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-12, 6 BB, 5 K
• Amed Rosario 3-15, 2B, 5 K
• Dominic Smith 3-12, 2B, HR, 4 K
• Wilson Ramos 3-8, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 4-9, 2B, 2 K
• Noah Syndergaard 0-4, BB, 2 K

Game Notes

The Mets have a 78-61 record at Citizens Bank Park, which is the highest win total for any visiting opponent at that stadium.

The Mets have also hit 194 home runs at Citizens Bank Park, which is the highest total for any opponent.

Noah Syndergaard is seven strikeouts away from becoming the sixteenth pitcher in New York Mets history to record 600 strikeouts.

Let’s Go Mets!

Check 213 Miles From Shea for more Mets insights!