The New York Mets and their bench mob attempt to pull off an improbable sweep in the third game of their series against the Atlanta Braves. Throughout all the injuries and a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Mets have still managed to keep themselves in first place. The first pitch for the final game of the series is set for 7:20 p.m.
Protecting the remaining healthy Mets from getting injured pic.twitter.com/jbu12PvTwK
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 18, 2021
Bench mob leader Tomas Nido saved the Mets from going deeper in the bullpen when he launched a game-winning home run in the ninth last night. With multiple key offensive players on the injured list, the offense has to do enough to survive while the pitching does the rest. If the Mets are in a save situation again, Edwin Diaz is unlikely to pitch. Diaz has pitched for three consecutive days, and Trevor May has also thrown on back-to-back days. Closing duty is likely to fall on the shoulders of Miguel Castro, who has only pitched three times since May 9.
The Braves are in danger of falling into a tie for last place if they drop the final game of the series. Ronald Acuna is still looking for his first hit in the series, and it is no surprise that the Braves have been unable to score without his production. Acuna is facing a lefty today and is hitting .357 with a .714 slugging percentage. It is an excellent opportunity to boost his .184 May average and get his first home run of the month. Austin Riley will attempt the home run hat-trick homering in the first two games of the series. The Mets are likely to throw him a lot of breaking balls to neutralize his power numbers.
Pitching Matchup
David Peterson tries to give the Mets length and consistency; both have eluded him at times this season. Peterson worked into the eighth inning during his last start but has multiple appearances where he did not make it past the fourth inning this season. If Peterson can put up a scoreless first inning, he usually settles in for the rest of his start. This year, achieving the task has been challenging as Peterson puts up a 6.43 ERA and .654 slugging percentage against in the first frame.
The 37-year old Charlie Morton still has not settled in during his second tour in Atlanta. In eight starts, Morton has a 5.08 and has a 1.2 HR/9, his highest since 2010, where he had a 7.57 ERA. The month of May has been even more of a struggle with Morton allowing 13 runs (7 earned) in 10.2 innings, and hitters are batting .340 against him.
Matchups To Lookout For
David Peterson vs. Freddie Freeman: 0-for-6 (.000), 4 Strikeouts
Charlie Morton vs. Francisco Lindor: 2-for-16 (.125), 2 Doubles, 5 Strikeouts