MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Phillies, 6:05 PM

Saturday, August 15, 2020 • 6:05 p.m.
Citizens Bank Park • Philadelphia, PA
LHP Steven Matz (0-3, 8.20) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-1, 2.79)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

Yesterday was the 2020 Mets season encapsulated in the day. The Mets, coming off two straight wins with Jacob deGrom on the mound finally looked like they could build momentum this weekend in Philly. Then, hours before game time, deGrom was scratched due to neck issues.

Infinite Sadness.

Then the game starts and Walker Lockett is holding his own. Eventually the Mets take the lead. Then the Walker allows a three run homer and the Mets are behind. But these Mets are fighters and they tie it in the ninth – only to lose it in the bottom of the ninth. Mets lose. Momentum gone again.

Mets lineup

1. Brandon Nimmo CF
2. Michael Conforto RF
3. J.D. Davis 3B
4. Dominic Smith LF
5. Pete Alonso 1B
6. Robinson Cano DH
7. Amed Rosario SS
8. Luis Guillorme 2B
9. Tomas Nido C

Phillies Lineup

1. Andrew McCutchen LF
2. Rhys Hoskins 1B
3. Bryce Harper RF
4. J.T. Realmuto C
5. Jean Segura 2B
6. Didi Gregorius SS
7. Phil Gosselin DH
8. Alec Bohm 3B
9. Scott Kingery CF

So the Mets will try to make the best of the next two days, starting with Steven Matz. Matz has made 4 starts, totaling 18.2 innings where he has allowed 25 hits and 17 runs. Eight of those hits are homers. That’s also the league lead in homers allowed. I’m sure that won’t be on his mind at all while playing a homer happy ballpark in Philly tonight. He pitched 6 games and made 5 starts against the Phillies last year allowing 33 hits and 21 runs, 18 earned, over 21.2 innings (7.48 ERA). The Phillies have the following numbers against him:

• Jean Segura 7-13, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 2 K
• Didi Gregorius 6-14, 2B, 3B, BB, K
• Scott Kingery 6-17, 2 HR, 4 K
• Bryce Harper 9-27, 4 2B, HR, 3 BB, 5 K
• Rhys Hoskins 3-19, 3 HR, 5 BB, 2 K
• JT Realmuto 6-22, 2 2B, 2 BB, 4 K
• Andrew McCutchen 2-8, BB, 4 K
• Jay Bruce 0-5, 2 BB

The Mets bats draw Aaron Nola today, who is off to a good start in 2020. Over his first three starts, he has allowed 6 runs from 10 hits in 19.1 innings posting a 2.79 ERA, 2.41 FIP, 0.621 WHIP and 167 ERA+. Last year he led the league in starts (34) and batters faced (852) pitching 202.1 innings with a 3.87 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.265 WHIP and 114 ERA+. He made 4 starts against the Mets holding the Mets to 8 runs, 7 earned over 24.0 innings, a 2.63 ERA. The Mets have the following numbers against Aaron:

• Luis Guillorme 1-2
• Robinson Cano 3-8, 2B, BB
• Pete Alonso 3-11, HR, BB, 4 K
• Wilson Ramos 5-16, 2B, 2 BB, 5 K
• J.D. Davis 1-4, BB, 2 K
• Michael Conforto 5-29, 2B, HR, 4 BB, 11 K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-14, 7 BB, 6 K
• Dominic Smith 3-18, 2B, HR, 8 K

Let’s Go Mets!

Game Notes

Dominic Smith has homered in three consecutive games for the second time in his career (June 24-26, 2019), Pete Alonso was the last Met to homer in four straight games (August 5-9, 2019).

Luis Guillorme is batting .474 (9-19) with a run, two doubles, three RBI, three walks and a .522 OBP in seven games, and has safely hit in all five of his starts, batting .563 (9-16).

Edwin Díaz has not allowed a run over hits last six outings, tossing six innings, allowing four hits, a walk and striking out 12 — he is holding opponents to a .194 (6-31) batting average this year and has struck out 17 in 8.1 innings this season, tying him for fifth among major league relievers with 17 strikeouts this year.