MMO Game Thread: Mets vs. Marlins, 1:40 P.M.

Saturday, September 11, 2022 • 1:40 P.M.
loanDepot Park • Miami, FL
RHP Taijuan Walker (10-4, 3.60 ERA) vs. LHP Jesus Luzardo
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050

The Mets are back in first place. The Mets’ offense exploded last night with an eight-run inning leading to an 11-3 win over the Marlins Saturday night. A few hours later, the Mariners beat the Braves and now the Mets are in control of their own destiny again.

Until the Mets get a little more separation in the division, every game is a must-win. Before yesterday’s game, the Mets announced they were finally placing Starling Marte on the injured list and calling up another top prospect, Mark Vientos. Vientos is a top prospect in the Mets’ system, can play the corners in the infield and most importantly, can hit. Vientos was slashing .280/.358/.519 over 427 plate appearances for Syracuse before his call up, a league where he was 4.3 years younger than the average player.

Mets Lineup

Series finale. #LGM

: Miami
: @tai_walker
: Miami, FL
: 1:40 p.m.
: @SNYtv
: @wcbs880
: https://t.co/CyivG3chRc pic.twitter.com/QTYuvxLjEl

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 11, 2022

The Mets’ bats take on Jesus Luzardo this afternoon. Luzardo has pitched 13 games tossing 72 1/3 innings with a 3.36 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 1.023 WHIP and a 121 ERA+. Luzardo is coming off of a strong start against the Phillies where he allowed two runs, four hits, over seven innings of work.

He’s missed the Mets completely this season so far but faced New York twice last season. Over two games he allowed five runs via six hits and seven walks over 10 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso, 2-for-6, HR, 2 K
• Eduardo Escobar, 1-for-5
• Darin Ruf, 0-for-4, BB
• James McCann, 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor, 0-for-3, K
• Jeff McNeil, 0-for-3, K
• Tyler Naquin, 0-for-2, K

Marlins Lineup

Brunch plans

: @BallySportsFL
: @BallyMarlins
: @FoxSports940, @radiomambi710
: 1:40 PM ET#MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/eEvZRBPV8M

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 11, 2022

Taijuan Walker gets the start today. Over 24 starts, 127 2/3 innings this season, Walker has a 3.60 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 1.230 WHIP and a 109 ERA+. His last time out wasn’t great, he allowed four runs via six hits and walked two over five innings against the Pirates.

Hopefully, Walker can move all of that behind him as he takes on the Marlins for the fifth time this season. Over those first four games, he allowed seven runs from 20 hits and six walks over 25 1/3 innings (2.49 ERA). The Marlins have the following career numbers against Walker:

• Miguel Rojas, 3-for-20, 2B, BB, 4 K
• Bryan De La Cruz, 5-for-14, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Avisail Garcia, 2-for-15, 2B, 7 K
• Jesus Sanchez, 1-for-13, 2 BB, 4 K
• Brian Anderson, 3-for-13, 5 K
• Garrett Cooper, 1-for-8, BB, 3 K
• Joey Wendle, 1-for-8, 2B, K
• Jacob Stallings, 2-for-7, K

Games Notes

This is Mark Vientos’ first major league appearance/start.

The Mets are wearing New York first responder hats today for Sept. 11.

According to Mike Puma, Max Scherzer plans to throw a bullpen this morning. Per Tim Healey, the session was normal/went well as per Jeremy Hefner.

Mets’ top prospect Francisco Álvarez is returning to the Triple-A Syracuse lineup today. He’s been out since August 23 with an ankle injury.

The post MMO Game Thread: Mets vs. Marlins, 1:40 P.M. first appeared on Metsmerized Online.