The New York Mets come off a strong 7-4 road trip in which they finally saw their offense hit consistently. They will face the San Francisco Giants for the first time this season and they come in with a 61-64 record. The Giants have dropped four straight and are slowly falling out of the postseason picture. Last season the Mets won five of the six meetings against the Giants.
Probable Pitching Matchups
(8/20, 7:10 PM) Derek Holland (6-8, 3.83 ERA) vs. Zack Wheeler (8-6, 3.75 ERA)
(8/21, 7:10 PM) TBD vs. Steven Matz (5-10, 4.60 ERA)
(8/22, 7:10 PM) Casey Kelly (0-1, 1.69 ERA) vs. Noah Syndergaard (8-3, 3.40 ERA)
(8/23, 1:10 PM) Madison Bumgarner (4-5, 3.05 ERA) vs. Jacob deGrom (8-7, 1.71 ERA)
Mets Offense Comes to Life
On their 11-game road trip the Mets scored 83 runs including a 24 run outburst against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was the most runs ever scored by the Mets in one game and single handedly erased the 25-4 loss against the Washington Nationals. Amed Rosario, Austin Jackson and Jeff McNeil have turned in a very hot couple of weeks to make cases why they should remain in starting roles next season.
Brandon Nimmo has landed on the 10-day DL with the finger injury he has been dealing with. There is no structural damage to the finger but the Mets will be very cautious with their best offensive player this season. He should be ready for action once his time on the DL comes to an end. Dom Smith will remain on the roster to take Nimmo’s spot.
Day Game Pitcher’s Duel
The final game of the series promised to be a very good pitchers duel. Madison Bumgarner has returned to his ace form and Jacob deGrom is coming off a complete game shutout against the Phillies. Mets fans will remember the complete game shutout Mad-Bum hurled against the Mets in the 2016 wild card game. deGrom has not had it easy in his last couple starts. He faced and outpitched Luis Severino and Jake Arrieta his last two starts. He will try to do the same in this start against Bumgarner.
Matchups to Lookout For
Jose Bautista vs. Derek Holland: 5-25 (.200) Double, Home Run, 2 Walks, 6 Strikeouts
Austin Jackson vs. Derek Holland: 5-21 (.238) 2 Doubles, Home Run, 5 Walks, 4 Strikeouts
Hunter Pence vs. Jacob deGrom: 6-17 (.353) Double, Home Run, Walk, 5 Strikeouts
Buster Posey vs. Jacob deGrom: 4-14 (.286) Double, Home Run, Walk, Strikeout
Interesting Stats
Reyes Moronta Pitching With RISP in 2018: 8-49 (.163) 2 Doubles, 8 Walks, 18 Strikeouts
Jose Bautista Batting Sixth in 2018: 14-39 (.359) 4 Doubles, 3 Home Runs, 8 Walks, 8 Strikeouts