After splitting their doubleheader on Monday, the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves play the third game of their series. Offense was at a premium on Monday as both teams combined for seven runs over the 14 innings they played. If the rain avoids Citi Field, the third game will be a 7:10 p.m. ET start.
If you are checking deGrom for greatness…He’s covered in it. ? pic.twitter.com/gJckxS30O6
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 22, 2021
The Mets offense has struggled mightily as last night marked their third shutout in the past week. Their offense took even more of a hit when Jonathan Villar left yesterday’s game with a calf injury after legging out a double. Villar walked himself off the field, but the Mets cannot catch a break with their injury problems. Luckily, with Jeff McNeil back in the fold, they will not need Villar to rush himself back.
Austin Riley has -1 defensive runs saved but made plenty of terrific plays to help the Braves take the second game last night. Ronald Acuna Jr. also continued to show why he is such an electric player. After failing to get anything going during game one, he homered and threw a 97 mph strike to third base to gun down a runner.
Pitching Matchup
Marcus Stroman makes his 15th start of the season and has become an innings eater for the Mets rotation. Stroman has completed at least six innings in each of his last nine starts. He has been able to go deep into games by throwing over two-third of his pitches for strikes and allowing just two walks per nine innings. Through 84.1 innings, Stroman has a 2.35 ERA and a 6-5 record.
The 37-year old veteran Charlie Morton takes the hill for the Braves and comes off a fantastic start against the St. Louis Cardinals. Morton pitched a season-high 7.2 innings and threw a season-high 112 pitches to shutout the Cards. Morton has not found his Cy Young caliber form yet but has been solid with a 4.03 ERA over 14 starts this season. In his last start against the Mets, he held them to one run over six innings with eight strikeouts.
Matchups To Lookout For
Charlie Morton vs. Francisco Lindor: 2-for-18 (.111), 2 Doubles, 5 Strikeouts
Marcus Stroman vs. Dansby Swanson: 4-for-8 (.500), Walk, 2 Strikeouts
Marcus Stroman vs. Ozzie Albies: 4-for-9 (.444), Strikeout