Saturday, August 24, 2024 • 8:40 p.m.
Petco Park • San Diego, California
Left-hander David Peterson (7-1, 3.00) against right-hander Michael Kings (11-6, 3.18)
WPIX
Friday’s game against the Padres was pretty much the opposite of Thursday’s game. The Mets hitters couldn’t do much, Paul Blackburn had trouble on the mound before leaving the game after getting a comebacker caught in his throwing hand. The Braves won. Just an ugly night for the Amazins.
But tonight is a new night and the Mets’ best pitcher of the last month, David Peterson, is on the mound. With Peterson, can the Mets beat Michael King during his meteoric season?
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mets lineup
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Mark Vientos – 3B
- Brandon Nimmo – CF
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- JD Martinez – DH
- Jesse Winker – LF
- Starling Marte – HF
- Francisco Alvarez – C
- Jeff McNeil – 2B
David Peterson has made 14 starts this season, totaling 78 innings with a 3.00 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 1.359 WHIP and 130 ERA+. His 130 ERA+ is his career best, the closest he came to it was an ERA+ of 125 in his rookie season. Peterson has made four starts in August, totaling 24 1/3 innings with a 1.85 ERA (3.09 FIP) and striking out 21 batters. Padres batters have the following career numbers against Peterson:
- Luis Arráez 1-2, BB
- Xander Bogaerts 0-11, BB, 2 K
- Luis Campusano 2-2
- Jake Cronenworth 2-7, BB, K
- Bryce Johnson 0:0, BB
- Manny Machado 2-7, 2B, BB, 2K
- David Peralta 0:1, 1:0
- Jurickson Profar 1-1
- Donovan Solano 1-4, K
- Tyler Wade 0-1
Opponent formation
- Luis Arraez – 1B
- Jurickson Profar – LF
- Xander Bogaerts – 2B
- Manny Machado – 3B
- Donovan Solano – DH
- MichaelJackson – CF
- Kyle Higashioka – C
- Bryce Johnson – RF
- Michael McCoy – SS
Michael King has thrown 141 1/3 innings this season with a 3.18 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.175 WHIP and 127 ERA+. Since late June, King has been on a tear, posting a 2.08 ERA and 2.16 FIP over 47 2/3 innings while striking out 58 batters and allowing just two home runs. Mets batters have the following career numbers against King:
- Pete Alonso 1-5, 2 K
- Francisco Alvarez 0-1
- Jose Iglesias 1-4
- Francisco Lindor 0-3, 2 K
- JD Martinez 2-11, 2 2B, 3 K
- Jeff McNeil 3-5
- Brandon Nimmo 0-4, 3 K
- Thomas B. 0:2, 1:0
Game Notes
- Sean Reid Foley is still working on his shoulder, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, and he is not throwing. Foley has been on the injured list since June 22 and has been recovering in the minors.
- Huascar Brazobán is still with the Mets in San Diego despite being sent down to Triple-A Syracuse. Blackburn was injured Friday against the Padres and Brazobán could potentially be promoted if Blackburn goes on the injured list.
- Paul Blackburn suffered a bone bruise after making a comeback on Friday. Nothing is broken and Blackburn indicated he could potentially make his next start in the rotation. Blackburn described the injury as a pain tolerance issue.
Three things to look out for
- Mets bullpen. The Mets bullpen was in pretty good position before Friday’s game, but with Paul Blackburn only lasting 2 1/3 innings, the bullpen had to do some extra work. Ryne Stanek, Danielle YoungAnd Adam Ottavino Each of them pitched several innings and allowed only two runs, but by that point the game was already out of reach. Dedniel Nunez returned to the team before Friday’s game. Edwin Diaz And José Butto now they’ve had two days off, so they’re ready to go. The game plan seems to be to get Peterson through six and then rely on Núñez, Díaz and Buttó to seal the deal.
- Strikethrough. Michael King has been hitting the world with strikeouts for the past two months. With the exception of a few games, Mets hitters have been throwing up a lot of strikeouts over the past week or two. On Friday night, the Mets struck out 14 times in total, with Vientos, Martinez, Marte, Alonso and McNeil all suffering at least two strikeouts. Lindor was the only Mets hitter not to throw a strikeout last night.
- Can Lindor set a personal best in doubles? Lindor hit his 34th double of the season on Friday night. It was his fourth double in the last four games. He is now just 10 doubles shy of his career high of 44, which he achieved in 2017. His 34th double was his best as a New York Met (33 last season).
Let’s go, Mets!
