MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Marlins, Game 1, 5:10 PM

Tuesday, August 25, 2020 • 5:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Rick Porcello (1-3, 5.76) vs. RHP Daniel Castano (0-2, 5.91)
SNY • MLBN • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

Before last Thursday’s game the Mets had a player and a coach each test positive for COVID-19. As of 6 AM today, the only news we’ve heard about both individuals is that they were symptomatic and are recovering well. We hope this continues to be the case and are keeping them in our thoughts.

Before the COVID-19 interruption, the Mets were on a roll while everything around the box score was falling apart. After a weekend of losing three straight to the Phillies, they won the first three games against the Marlins. The rotation was being hampered by injuries and question marks (would Matz return? would Lugo be stretched out?)

The break from baseball has done nothing to settle anything and has actually complicated it more as the Mets will now play 9 games over the next 6 days and 34 games in the next 34 days. Over the next 6 days they will play 3 double-headers. These will also be the first games the Mets play under the new seven inning game rules. The Mets will play six shortened games this week and three full ones.

Mets Lineup

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

Marlins Lineup

1. Jonathan Villar – 2B
2. Matt Joyce – DH
3. Corey Dickerson – LF
4. Brian Anderson – 3 B
5. Lewin Diaz – 1B
6. Jorge Alfaro – C
7. Jesus Sanchez – RF
8. Lewis Brinson – CF
9. Miguel Rojas – SS

Rick Porcello gets the first start for the Mets tonight. Over his first five starts he has pitched 25.0 innings with a 5.76 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 1.640 WHIP and 74 ERA+. He started off August with two strong back to back starts, allowing 3 runs over 13.0 innings before facing the Phillies where he allowed 4 runs from 10 hits over 6.0 innings. He hasn’t pitched in 9 days. The Marlins have the following stats against Porcello:

• Jesus Aguilar 2-3
• Jorge Alfaro 0-2
• Corey Dickerson 9-41, 4 2B, HR, 8 K
• Logan Forsythe 8-31, 3B, 2 BB, 6 K
• Matt Joyce 6-20, 2B, 2 HR, 3 BB, 4 K
• Magneuris Sierra 2-3
• Jonathan Villar 3-8, BB, K

The Mets bats will see Daniel Castano again! The Mets saw his major league debut a couple of weeks ago as Castano skipped AAA ball in the roster madness that the Marlins endured after the Covid19 outbreak. Daniel has made three starts this year, totaling 10.2 innings, allowing 8 runs, 7 earned. The Mets scored 5 runs, 4 earned, over 4.1 innings thanks to two homers. Daniel rebounded in his next start against the Braves who only scored one run off a solo homer in 6.0 innings. In his next start, he only recorded one out facing 4 batters, allowing 2 runs. Anyway – Alonso and Conforto were the two Mets who homered against and Smith, Davis and McNeil also collected hits. Rosario, Hamilton and Ramos went a combined 0-7.

Game Notes

The Mets offense leads the majors with a .268 average and a .356 OBP this season.

Over his last 14 games, Pete Alonso is batting .314/.417/.608, compared to a .167/.327/.238 line through his first 11 games.

Dominic Smith has reached base safely in a career-best 13 games, batting .360/.411/.860 over that stretch.

Let’s Go Mets!