Game Thread: Mets vs. Phillies, 7:05 PM

Monday, June 24, 2019 • 7:05 p.m.
Citizens Bank Park • Philadelphia, PA
LHP Steven Matz (5-5, 4.28) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (6-7, 2.83)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050 AM

The Phillies are in free-fall going into tonight’s series opener with the Mets. Zach Eflin, starting for the Phils tonight, is their only reliable starter in the rotation right now while basically their entire bullpen is injured. The Mets however are in full, “hold my beer” form when it comes to a falling apart competition. Mickey Callaway put out a “B” team type lineup yesterday for a deGrom start and the team managed to hold onto the lead until the end of the game. It was clear that Seth Lugo didn’t have his best stuff but Callaway kept him in there and ultimately Lugo allowed a 3-run homer that gave the Cubs the win.

Then all hell broke loose in the clubhouse after the game. You can read all the details in-depth here and here. Essentially, chaos ensued, and the rest of us questioned why the Mets continue to do things only the Mets could do.

But there’s a game tonight!

Mets Lineup

1. Jeff McNeil, RF
2. Pete Alonso, 1B
3. Robinson Cano, 2B
4. Michael Conforto, CF
5. Todd Frazier, 3B
6. Dominic Smith, LF
7. Wilson Ramos, C
8. Amed Rosario, SS
9. Steven Matz, P

Phillies Lineup

1. Scott Kingery, LF
2. Jean Segura, SS
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
5. J.T. Realmuto, C
6. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
7. Roman Quinn, CF
8. Maikel Franco, 3B
9. Zach Eflin, P

Steven Matz is 5-5 over 14 starts and 73.2 innings with a 4.28 ERA, 5.00 FIP, 1.371 WHIP and a 95 ERA+. June has been rough for Matz allowing 17 runs, 15 earned over 4 games and 23.0 innings, a 5.87 ERA. He faced the Phils in back to back starts earlier this season with very different results. The first one was his worst start ever, allowing 8 runs, 6 earned, without recording an out. The next week he held the Phillies to 1 run over 6.0 innings. The Phillies have the following numbers against Matz:

• Bryce Harper 4-19, 2 2B, 3 BB, 5 K
• Rhys Hoskins 2-13, 2 HR, 2 BB, K
• Cesar Hernandez 5-11, 2B, 5 BB, 2 K
• J.T. Realmuto 4-13, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Maikel Franco 3-8, HR, BB
• Andrew McCutchen 2-8, BB, 4 K
• Jean Segura 2-4, 2B, K

Zach Eflin has been holding the Phillies pitching staff together. He is 6-7 over 14 games and 86.0 innings including 2 complete games posting a 2.83 ERA, 4.02 FIP, 1.163 WHIP and a 159 ERA+. In the month of June he has pitched 20.1 innings allowing 7 runs, 5 earned posting a 2.21 ERA. One of his worst starts this season was against the Mets when he allowed 4 runs from 4 hits and and a walk in 4.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Eflin:

• Michael Conforto 4-18, 2B, HR, BB, 4 K
• Jeff McNeil 2-9, 2B, 3B, 2 BB
• Amed Rosario 5-11, 2 3B, 2 K
• Todd Frazier 2-6, HR, 3 K
• Dominic Smith 1-6, K
• Robinson Cano 3-5, HR

Game Notes

NL Player of the week Pete Alonso ranks first among all rookies in homers (27), RBI (61), extra-base hits (46), OBP (.366), slugging (.642), total bases (179), runs (50), hits (77) and walks (32). He is also tied for second among rookies in doubles (17) and tied for third in triples (2).

After blowing a 3-2 lead against the Cubs, Mets’ relievers have now allowed a run in 12 of their last 14 games. The bullpen is 1-4 in that span with a 6.21 ERA with 25 walks and 42 strikeouts. The team leads MLB with 17 blown saves this season. Overall, the team’s 5.30 ERA ranks 27th in the majors.

Matz’s first inning struggles have continued this season. 14 of his 35 earned runs have come in the first, resulting in a 9.69 first inning ERA. But the Mets’ lefty owns a, owns a 3.12 ERA in all following innings. It’s a trend that’s carried over from last season, as he had a 7.28 ERA in the opening frame and a 3.19 ERA in all subsequent innings.

Let’s Go Mets!