Series Preview: New York Mets (69-90) at Philadelphia Phillies (64-95), Sept. 29th-Oct. 1st
The Mets bring to town an injury depleted line up, as it has been for most of the year. As a result of injuries and to a lesser extent trades, the Mets are showing a bit of their future, high l, by top prospect first basemen Dominic Smith, who has struggled mightily in this, his early taste of the Majors.
What To Expect
There’s not much to expect in this relatively meaningless series between two teams who won’t be making a postseason appearance. There are however several players on both sides who are loking to finish up the season on a high note. The aforementioned Dominic Smith, Aned Rosario and Gavin Cecchini for the Mets; JP Crawford, Rhys Hoskins and Jorge Alfaro for the Phillies.
There’s no doubt both teams will look very different next year so in some instances you might be seeing the last of some of these players on both sides in their respective uniforms for the last time. Take it all in.
Probable Pitchers
Friday, September 29, 7:05 PM, Matt Harvey (5-6, 6.60 ERA) vs Ben Lively (3-7, 4.35 ERA)
This is a fairly big start for both players. Harvey is still trying to prove he has value to not only the Mets but to any potential suitors and Lively is trying to prove he belongs in the big leagues. For Harvey it’s been a rocky road with the Mets since he demanded he stay in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series. That mistake seems to haunt his relationship with the Mets – to the point where they may be looking to just shed themselves of him. He’s done a pretty good job over the years though of dominating Phillies hitters although they’ll be quite a few players he’s never faced before.
Saturday, September 30, 7:05 PM, TBA vs Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 3.60 ERA)
Alvarez has been more than competent for the Phillies and there may be serious interest in keeping him for next year although, as we’ve already seen, changes are afoot. As a reclamation project he’s been more than you could hope for and even if they don’t want him long term he may be worth keeping for next year’s midseason trade deadline.
Sunday, October 1, 3:05, Seth Lugo (7-5, 4.72 ERA) vs Nick Pivetta (7-10, 6.72 ERA)
Pivetta has had one of the most inconsistent seasons you’ll see – not just game to game but often inning to inning. He’ll strike out eight of the first ten and then give up five runs. The potential is there but as we’ve all seen that doesn’t always mean it’ll be realized. He’ll want to end his season on a high note though and that’ll have to be on Saturday night.
Lugo has done pretty much all he could as a replacement for whichever Mets injured starter you want to assign him to. The Phillies beat him up a bit in his last start against them scoring 5 runs in five and a third.
