MMO Game Thread: Braves vs Mets, 7:10 PM

Friday, April 28, 2023 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, New York
LHP Max Fried (1-0, 0.60) vs. LHP David Peterson (1-3, 7.36)
WPIX

The Mets snapped their four-game losing streak last night. Was it due to the giant Brandon Nimmo gnome that appeared in the dugout? Was it due to Joey Lucchesi’s churve? What about Brett Baty’s breakout game where he got on base four times including a homer? Whatever the reason, the Mets were able to hold off the Nationals who got back into the game multiple times with a 9-8 win. Now the Mets will take this newfound momentum into an important early season meeting with the Braves.

Mets Lineup

Friday night baseball as the Braves come to town to kick off a 4-game series. #LGM pic.twitter.com/T6dirWZK8X

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) April 28, 2023

The Mets need David Peterson to come back to the version we saw in spring training. In his first five starts this season Peterson has pitched 25 2/3 innings with a 7.36 ERA, 5.61 FIP, 1.636 WHIP and a 56 ERA+. He has already allowed seven homers this year, and his previous season high was 11 which he hit in each of the last two seasons. His last two starts in particular have been dreadful, allowing 13 runs from 14 hits and a walk over 11 innings. Five of those 14 hits were homers. On the positive side, he did strike out 14 batters in that stretch. Peterson was effective against the Braves last season facing them four times, three starts, totaling 16 1/3 innings with a 2.76 ERA and 22 strikeouts. The Braves have the following numbers against Peterson:

• Ronald Acuña Jr. 2-12, 2B, HR, 5 BB, 4 K
• Austin Riley 8-16, 3 2B, BB, 3 K
• Travis d’Arnaud 0-10, 2 BB, 5 K
• Marcell Ozuna 0-12, BB, 6 K
• Ozzie Albies 2-10
• Matt Olson 2-8, 2 HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Orlando Arcia 0-3, BB, K

Opposing Lineup

First of four in New York!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/gHzXS0fQPq

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 28, 2023

The Mets bats will have to contend with Max Fried tonight. In his first three starts of the year, Fried has allowed only one run from 11 hits and three walks over 15 innings of work. Fried has been working back from an injury that cut his first start of the season against the Nationals short to 3 1/3 innings. He returned to the rotation on April 17th and tossed 79 pitches. He was fully back against the Braves, throwing 107 pitches over 6 2/3 innings. Fried faced the Mets a lot last year and was quite good. Over five starts and 29 innings, Fried allowed 11 runs, 9 earned, from 23 hits and 6 walks (2.79 ERA) while striking out 25 batters. The Mets have the following numbers against Fried:

• Pete Alonso 9-32, 2B, 2 HR, 5 BB, 11 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-23, 2 2B, 4 BB, 9 K
• Jeff McNeil 10-27, 3 2B, 5 K
• Francisco Lindor 3-23, HR, 5 K
• Starling Marte 4-16, 2 2B, BB, 3 K
• Eduardo Escobar 4-16, 4 K
• Mark Canha 4-12, 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 3 K
• Luis Guillorme 4-11, 2 2B, BB, 2 K
• Tomás Nido 3-12, 2 2B, K
• Tommy Pham 2-10, 2 BB, 2 K
• Daniel Vogelbach 0-3, K
• Francisco Álvarez 0-2
• Brett Baty 1-2

Game Notes

Justin Verlander threw 69 pitches in a scoreless rehab outing for Double-A Binghamton on Friday and said he had no physical issues following the outing.

José Quintana played catch today for the first time since surgery and felt no pain.

Stephen Nogosek said he’s good to go when he’s eligible to come off the IL on Sunday.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Brett Baty is here! Brett Baty had a breakout game last night, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a homer and a walk. Over his last five games, he has gone 7-for-15 and a batting line of .467/.529/.733. This is the reason why he was called up! Is this the spark the Mets need right now to have a great weekend against the Braves?
2. The rain and the bullpen: There’s a good chance that the Mets bullpen sees some rearranging this weekend (if it hasn’t already happened by the time you read this article). With the rain in the forecast tonight and tomorrow, there is the possibility that someone starts a game and leaves early due to weather. Drew Smith is the only person who hasn’t pitched in the last three days. Tommy Hunter has thrown 46 pitches in the last three. Jimmy Yacabonis tossed 45 pitches on Tuesday, he’s probably available tonight. Jeff Brigham had a long relief outing on Wednesday and has thrown 74 pitches in the last five days. The Mets already recalled Denyi Reyes with Adam Ottavino on the paternity list. Mother nature could become an X-factor this weekend.
3. Francisco Lindor’s big night: Francisco Lindor is the engine of the Mets offense. When Lindor is on, his energy is contagious and is picked up by other players on the field. He had a huge night last night collecting two doubles and three RBIs. Lindor’s success tonight can be the push the Mets need to get multiple bats hot.

Let’s go Mets!

The post MMO Game Thread: Braves vs Mets, 7:10 PM first appeared on Metsmerized Online.