Game Chat: Mets vs Blue Jays, 7:07 PM

Monday, September 9, 2024 • 7:07 PM
Rogers Centre • Toronto, ON
RHP Tylor Megill (3-5, 4.95) vs. RHP Ryan Burr (0-1, 4.44)
SNY

The Reds snapped the Mets’ winning streak yesterday, and the Braves won. The Padres still lost, and now the Padres, Diamondbacks, Braves and Mets are separated by only two games. The Mets and Braves are tied for the last Wild Card spot – this September is getting more chaotic by the day!

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Mark Vientos, 3B
3. Brandon Nimmo, LF
4. Pete Alonso, 1B
5. Jose Iglesias, 2B
6. J.D. Martinez, DH
7. Starling Marte, RF
8. Harrison Bader, CF
9. Francisco Alvarez, C

Tonight was supposed to be Paul Blackburn‘s return to the rotation after taking a comebacker off his hand a couple of weeks ago. The Mets scrapped his start in favor of Tylor Megill earlier this afternoon. Over 12 games (56 1/3 innings), Megill has a 4.95 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 1.402 WHIP and a 79 ERA+. Megill is turning into an American League specialist, facing the White Sox, Red Sox and the Blue Jays since his return to the rotation. He held the White Sox to only one run over 5 1/3 innings, while the Red Sox got him for three runs over four. The Blue Jays have the following career numbers against him:

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 0-5, BB, K
• Alejandro Kirk 2-3, BB
• George Springer 1-5, K
• Daulton Varsho 1-4, BB, 2 K

Opposing Lineup

1. George Springer, RF
2. Daulton Varsho, CF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., DH
4. Spencer Horwitz, 1B
5. Will Wagner, 2B
6. Alejandro Kirk, C
7. Addison Barger, 3B
8. Leo Jiménez, SS
9. Nathan Lukes, LF

Ryan Burr gets the start for the Blue Jays tonight. In 2024, he has pitched in 26 games but has only started one, totaling 24 1/3 innings with a 4.44 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.315 WHIP and a 93 ERA+. His only start was on August 22, where he pitched one inning plus against the Angels, allowing two hits and a walk. His highest pitch count has been 35 this season, so his stint will probably be pretty short tonight. The Mets have the following career numbers against Burr:

• Francisco Lindor 0-1
• Starling Marte 1-1
• J.D. Martinez 1-2
• Tyrone Taylor 1-1, HR

Game Notes

• Mets’ pitching prospect Jonah Tong was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week after delivering six no-hit innings in his Double-A Binghamton debut.

Three Things To Watch For

1. In search of hits. The top five batters in Sunday’s game combined to go 0-for-16 with three walks. An unusual day for the Mets that usually have one of their big bats go off in a game. When the top five batters don’t record a hit, it’s not surprising that the team only had a total of four hits. Hopefully, this was just a blip, and everyone comes roaring back tonight.
2. Harrison Bader. From August 25 to September 6, Harrison Bader went 1-for-21 at the plate with a home run and one walk. In his last two games, he has gone 3-for-6 with a home run. Is this a sign that Bader is starting to break out of his slump?
3. Spencer Horwitz. The Blue Jays infielder is having a breakout year, slashing .274/.360/.467 over 80 games in his second Major League season with a 134 OPS+. Three of his 12 home runs this season have come in the last two days, where he has gone 6-for-7 at the plate. He was hot against the Braves; hopefully, it was because he wants the Mets to win and will cool off this week.

Let’s go Mets!

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