Game Thread: Braves vs Mets, 7:10 PM – PIX11

Saturday, August 24, 2019 • 7:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Max Fried (14-4, 3.84) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.40)
PIX11 • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050 AM

For a team in the playoff hunt, last night was a rough one. Jacob deGrom was amazing, carrying the team through his arm and his bat but it wasn’t enough as the game went to extras as the Mets eventually fell in the 14th inning. Hopefully, the bats are a bit more alive tonight as the Mets try to set up a rubber game for tomorrow.

Mets Lineup

1. Amed Rosario  SS
2. Joe Panik  2B
3. Pete Alonso  1B
4. Michael Conforto  RF
5. Wilson Ramos  C
6. J.D. Davis  LF
7. Todd Frazier  3B
8. Juan Lagares  CF
9. Zack Wheeler  P

Braves Lineup

1. Ronald Acuna Jr.  CF
2. Ozzie Albies  2B
3. Freddie Freeman  1B
4. Josh Donaldson  3B
5. Matt Joyce  RF
6. Adeiny Hechavarria  SS
7. Francisco Cervelli  C
8. Rafael Ortega  LF
9. Max Fried  P

Zack Wheeler will look to do his part. He is 9-7 over 24 starts and 149.1 innings with a 4.40 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 1.266 WHIP, and 93 ERA+. He’s coming off rough back to back starts allowing nine runs, eight earned, over 10 innings including an outing against the Braves where he allowed five runs over five innings from 12 hits and two walks. Before these two rough starts, Wheeler allowed no runs over 15 innings. The Braves have the following numbers against Wheeler:

• Freddie Freeman 14-26, 3 2B, 2 HR, 13 BB, 7 K
• Adeiny Hechavarria 2-18, 2B, 4 K
• Ozzie Albies 2-15, 4 K
• Josh Donaldson 8-13, 2B, BB, 2 K
• Ronald Acuna Jr. 5-12, 2B, 2 HR, BB, 3 K
• Ender Inciarte 3-11, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Billy Hamilton 1-5, K

The Mets bats will get another look at Max Fried who is 14-4 over 26 games and 24 starts over 131.1 innings with a 3.84 ERA, 3.79 FIP, 1.401 WHIP, and 120 ERA+. He’s coming off his first poor start since the end of July, allowing three runs over five innings from eight hits and three walks. Before that, he allowed one run over six innings against the Mets. In three starts against the Mets already this year, he has allowed six runs over 17 innings, a 3.18 ERA. The Mets have the following batting lines against him:

• Amed Rosario 2-11, 2B, 5 K
• Michael Conforto 0-9, 2 BB, 4 K
• Todd Frazier 4-11, 2B, 2 K
• Juan Lagares 5-11, 2B, 2 K
• Jeff McNeil 5-11, 2 2B, 4 K
• Pete Alonso 0-6, 3 BB, 3 K
• J.D. Davis 4-8, BB, K
• Wilson Ramos 3-6, 2B, BB, K

Game Notes 

Over the last six games, the Mets relief staff is 2-1 with two saves and a 1.52 ERA (four earned runs/23.2 innings) with six walks and 31 strikeouts. The staff owns a 3.67 ERA (50 earned runs/122.2 innings) with 53 walks and 132 strikeouts in 37 games since the All-Star break. That places the relief staff fifth in the majors and second in the NL in that span.

Mets starters are 18-5 with a 2.66 ERA (68 earned runs/230.1 innings) in the second half. That is the best mark in the majors. The staff’s 18 wins are tied for second in the majors and are tied for the lead in the National League. The staff has struck out 228 in that span, which is tied for fifth in the majors and ranks third in the NL.

Joe Panik is hitting .302 (13-43) with 10 runs, a double, a triple, three RBI and two walks in 13 games since joining the Mets. He has safely reached base in all 10 of his starts for New York.

Juan Lagares is batting .368 (14-38) with seven runs, two doubles, a triple, three RBI, three walks and a .888 OPS over his last 10 games.

Justin Wilson has pitched to a 1.00 ERA (two earned runs/18 innings) with seven walks and 19 strikeouts in 22 games since returning from the 10-Day IL on July 2.

Let’s Go Mets!