10 STRIKEOUTS IN 5 INNINGS FOR DAVID PETERSON!
Up Next: The Blue Jays return home to host the Mets
Photo credit: © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2024, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 9, 2024, 17:55 EDT
For the third straight series, the Toronto Blue Jays will play a team from the National League East division. This week, they’ll host the New York Mets for a three-game series.
As you may know, the Mets and the Atlanta Braves are tied for the final Wild Card spot in the National League, and the Jays dropped two of three against the Braves over the weekend.
Nuts and Bolts
September 9th, 7:07 EST: Ryan Burr (0-1, 4.44 ERA) vs Trevor Megill (3-5, 4.95 ERA)
September 10th, 7:07 EST: Chris Bassitt (9-13, 4.30 ERA) vs David Peterson (9-1, 2.75 ERA)
September 11th, 3:07 EST: Bowden Francis (8-4, 3.72 ERA) vs Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.43 ERA)
Starting pitching
The Toronto Blue Jays go from facing one of the best starting pitching staffs in the league (the Braves have a 3.71 ERA for starters) to facing a middle-of-the-pack team. This season, the Mets’ 4.04 ERA ranks 14th in the league, sandwiched between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays.
In the series, the Jays will face the best Mets’ pitcher according to ERA, left-handed pitcher David Peterson. This year, the 29-year-old has started 17 games, posting a 2.75 ERA and a 3.99 FIP in 98.1 innings pitched.
The Jays will also face Sean Manaea, who has a 3.43 ERA and a 3.83 FIP in 157.1 innings pitched, in what has been a great come back season for the left-handed pitcher. Of any starters with 50 innings pitched, Trevor Megill’s 4.97 ERA is the worst, but he has a team-leading 3.82 (same parameters) in 54.1 innings pitched.
Toronto will miss Luis Severino, who has a 3.74 ERA and a 4.14 FIP in 166 innings pitched, along with José Quintana, who has a 4.09 ERA and a 4.89 FIP in 152 innings pitched.
Bullpen
Like their starting pitching, the New York Mets’ bullpen ranks in the middle of the pack, as their 3.89 ERA is the 13th-best in the league. Moreover, the Mets’ relievers have a 3.93 FIP, smack dab in the middle of all 30 teams.
Former Blue Jay Sean Reid-Foley has the team’s best ERA for any reliever (minimum of 20 innings pitched), but most of those innings came earlier this season. He’s currently on the 60-day Injured List.
Among active roster relievers, José Buttó leads the team with a 2.25 ERA in 32 innings pitched, along with a 3.93 ERA. Closer Edwin Díaz returned from missing all of the 2023 season, and has a 3.71 ERA and a 3.50 FIP in 43.2 innings pitched.
Jose Buttó strikes out Brenton Doyle to get out of the 7th!
The reliever with the most innings pitched is Reed Garrett, who has a 3.42 ERA and 3.39 FIP in 52.2 innings pitched, or 47 games in total. Phil Maton has had some success this season, posting a 2.53 ERA and a 2.76 FIP in 21.1 innings pitched.
Other players on the active roster include Adam Ottavino, Ryne Stanek, Alex Young, and Danny Young, no relation. One is from Ohio, the other is from Florida.
Hitting
The New York Mets’ bats are potent, as they’ve collectively slashed .248/.320/.418 with 182 home runs in 5461 plate appearances. Their 110 wRC+ is seventh-best in the league, slightly behind the San Diego Padres’ and the Houston Astros’ 111 wRC+.
Mark Vientos is having a breakout season, as he’s slashing .284/.340/.553 with 24 home runs in 376 plate appearances for a team-leading 149 wRC+ (minimum: 350 plate appearances). Francisco Lindor is also having a great season, as he’s slashing .270/.339/.492 with 30 home runs in 651 plate appearances.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME MARK VIENTOS??? #MetsWin
Pete Alonso leads the team in home runs, as he has 31 of them in 615 plate appearances, along with slashing .240/.325/.467 for a 123 wRC+. Designated hitter J.D. Martinez has been good in his first season with the Mets, as he’s slashing .252/.334/.440 with 16 home runs in 444 plate appearances for a 121 wRC+.
Brandon Nimmo is having a solid season, slashing .229/.340/.398 with 18 home runs in 586 plate appearances, compiling at 2.7 fWAR, second for all of New York’s position players.
Final word
The Toronto Blue Jays continue to play spoiler for the National League East teams. After losing two of three against the Atlanta Braves, them and the Mets are tied for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
This battle will go on until the end of the season, but the outcome of this series will be a determining factor in which of the two teams gets in.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.