Game Chat: Phillies vs. Mets, 4:10 p.m.

Saturday, September 21, 2024 • 4:10 p.m.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Ranger Suárez (12-7, 3.13) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.26)
SNY • MLBN

The Mets will look to get back on track this afternoon when they play the third of four games against the Phillies. After three straight games in which they scored 10 runs each, the Mets offense struggled to get anything going Friday night. Combined with a good night for the Phillies hitters, it was an ugly loss for the Mets. But the Braves also lost, and going into tonight's game, the Mets hold the third wild card spot by two games.

Photo by Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Mets lineup

1. Jose Iglesias – 2B
2. Starling Marte – DH
3. Mark Vientos – 3B
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. Brandon Nimmo – LF
6. Thomas B. – HF
7. Francisco Alvarez – C
8. Harrison Bader – CF
9. Luisangel Acuña – SS

Sean Manaea has pitched 171 innings this season, compiling a 3.26 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 1.082 WHIP and 121 ERA+. In his last two games, he has allowed just two runs in 13 2/3 innings while striking out 14 batters. Since July 30, he has a 2.49 ERA and 2.91 FIP in 65 innings. He has faced the Phillies twice this season. In May, he held the Phillies to just one run in six innings in Queens. In June, during the London Series, he allowed six runs on seven hits, including two home runs, in 3 2/3 innings. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Alec Bohm 2-7, RT, 2 K
• Nick Castellanos 5-13, 2B, 2 HR, 4 K
• Kody Clemens 0-1
• Bryce Harper 4-8, 2 2B, HF, K
• Brandon Marsh 0-3, BB, 2 K
• JT Realmuto 0-4, BB, 3 K
• Johan Rojas 0:3, victory
• Kyle Schwarber 1-3, 2BBs
• Edmundo Sosa 4-6, 2B, 3B, HF, K

Opponent formation

1. Kyle Schwarber – DH
2. Trea Turner – SS
3. Bryce Harper – 1B
4. Alec Bohm – 3B
5. Nick Castellanos – RF
6. JT Realmuto – C
7. Edmundo Sosa – 2B
8. Weston Wilson – LF
9. Johan Rojas – CF

Ranger Suárez has pitched 143 2/3 innings for the Phillies this season, posting a 3.13 ERA, 3.09 FIP, 1.142 WHIP and 129 ERA+. In his last four games, he has a 5.12 ERA and 4.00 FIP, giving up 11 runs in 19 1/3 innings. Ranger has faced the Mets twice this season. In Queens, he allowed two unearned runs in five innings and in London, he allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 2-17, 2 2B, 5 BB, 4 K
• Eddy Alvarez 0-2
• Francisco Alvarez 0-5, 3 K
• Harrison Bader 1-5
• Jose Iglesias 4-5, 2B, K
• Francisco Lindor 5-16, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Starling Marte 6-16, 2B, 2 BB, K
• JD Martinez 2-9, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-22, 3 BB, 3 K
• Tyrone Taylor 1-5, BB, 2 K
• Luis Torrens 1-5, BB, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 3-12, 2B, HR, 4K
• Jesse Winker 1-5, 2K

Game Notes

• The Mets lost 12-2 to the Phillies last night. New York has now won ten games in a row (5-3). The Mets begin their final regular season with seven home games (4-1) against Washington (3-0) and Philadelphia (1-1). After this home game, the Mets will travel for the last time in the regular season, with six away games to Atlanta (three games) and Milwaukee (three games).
• Sean Manaea has 177 strikeouts this season, the second-highest total of his career. In 32 starts in 2021, he has 194 strikeouts, the highest total by a left-handed pitcher for the Mets since John Santana achieved 206 strikeouts in 2008.
• New York has won four of its last five games and 16 of its last 21. The Mets enter today with a season record of 85-69. The Mets are guaranteed a winning season. In 2023, the team finished 75-87. The Mets were 11 games under .500 at their season low on June 2 (24-35)… Since then, the Mets have amassed a record of 61-34… Since a loss on May 29, the Mets have played 99 games and amassed a record of 63-36 during that span.

Three things to look out for

1. Jose Iglesias. Iglesias continued his hit streak last night, hitting 2 for 4 with a leadoff home run. During his 14-game hitting streak, he hit 22 for 53 and posted a .415/.446/.528 batting average. In his last eight games, he hit 15 for 39, posting six multi-hit games. Iglesias had a .310 batting average before this streak began and is now hitting .333.
2. Keep runners for stealing. There was a stretch this season when runners overwhelmed the Mets. Last night the Phillies had 17 hits and stole five bases.
3. Watch the scoreboard. The Braves behind Max Fried will play against the Marlins this afternoon at the same time as the Mets. The Braves lost to the Marlins on Friday night and were unable to win a game against the Mets. The Diamondbacks behind Merrill Kelly want to score their third win in a row against the Brewers. The Padres, meanwhile, want to inflict their 119th loss of the season on the White Sox.

Let's go, Mets!