Wednesday, October 9, 2024 • 5:08 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Ranger Suarez (12-8, 3.46) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75)
FS1

The Mets will try to make their first ever playoff appearance this afternoon at Citi Field! On Tuesday, the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the five-game series thanks to a dominant start Through Sean Manaeawho shut out the Phillies for over 7+ innings. Pete Alonso got the scoring started early with a solo shot. Late in the game, the Mets bats put together several small rallies en route to a 7-2 victory. Let’s wrap this up tonight in Queens!

Brad Penner-Imagn images

Mets lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Mark Vientos – 3B
3. Brandon Nimmo – L.F
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. Jose Iglesias – 2B
6. JD Martinez – DH
7. Starling Marte –RF
8. Tyrone Taylor – C.F
9. Francisco Alvarez -C

Jose Quintana will start a clinching match for his second straight start. His last start was in a winner-take-all elimination game, in which he held the Brewers scoreless for six innings, scattering four hits and a walk, while striking out five. In the regular season, he threw 170 1/3 innings with a 3.75 ERA, 4.56 FIP, 1.250 WHIP and 105 ERA+. Quintana finished the season with a great run with a 0.74 ERA and 2.48 FIP over six games. This includes a start against the Phillies in Philly, where Quintana held them scoreless through seven innings. The Phillies have the following career marks against him:

• Alec Bohm 3-15, 2B, HR, 3 K
• Nick Castellanos 13-53, 3B, 2 hours, 2 BB, 10 K
• Bryce Harper 4-21, 2B, HR, BB, 8 K
• Austin Hays 1-1
• Brandon Marsh 0-2, K
• JT Realmuto 4-19, HR, 3 BB, K
• Johan Rojas 5-9, 2 K
• Kyle Schwarber 7-24, 2B, HR, 7 K
• Edmundo Sosa 3-9, 2B, 3 K
• Bryson Stott 0-3, BB, K
• Garrett Stubbs 0-2
• Trea Turner 6-24, 2B, 3 K
• Weston Wilson 0-6, 2 K

Opposite arrangement

1. Kyle Schwarber – DH
2. Trea Turner – SS
3. Bryce Harper – 1B
4. Nicholas Castellanos – RF
5. Alec Bohm – 3B
6. JT Realmuto -C
7. Bryson Stott – 2B
8. Weston Wilson – L.F
9. Brandon Marsh – C.F

Ranger Suarez has thrown 150 2/3 innings over 27 starts with a 3.46 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.201 WHIP and a 117 ERA+. He hasn’t pitched since September 27, when he allowed six runs over two innings for the Nationals. In his final six starts of the season, he had a 6.49 ERA and 5.37 FIP over 26 1/3 innings, allowing five home runs. This includes a start against the Mets where Suárez allowed two runs, both solo home runs, over five innings in a game the Mets won 6–3. Suárez has a 2.30 ERA across three starts against the Mets all season. The Mets have the following career grades against him:

• Luisangel Acuna 1-2, HR
• Pete Alonso 2-17, 2 2B, 8 BB, 4 K
• Francisco Alvarez 1-7, HR, 3 K
• Harrison Bader 1-7
• Jose Iglesias 6-8, 2 2B, K
• Francisco Lindor 5-16, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Starling Marte 6-19, 2B, 2BB, K
• JD Martinez 2-9, 2B, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-25, 3 BB, 4 K
• Tyrone Taylor 2-7, K
• Luis Torrens 1-5, BB, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 3-15, 2B, HR, 7 K
• Jesse Winker 1-5, 2 K

Game notes

Jesse Winker became the first design hitter in Mets postseason history to hit a home run. He certainly enjoyed it the explosion on the upper deck.

The Scottsdale Scorpions made their 2024 Arizona Fall League debut on Tuesday evening. With prospects Jet Williams, Drew GilbertAnd Jacob Reimer (two RBIs) each had one hit and accounted for at least one run. Right-handed Saul Garcia pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

The Mets are 13-for-29 with six walks when facing relievers with runners in scoring position during the 2024 postseason.

Bartolo Colon will catch the first ball tonight Daniel Murphy.

Three things to pay attention to

1. Pete Alonso. The postseason can completely rewrite a regular season. In Alonso’s last four games, he went 3-for-14, with all three hits being home runs, and walked three times. All three home runs have been to the opposite field. He saved the Mets’ season in Milwaukee. He energized Citi Field. The Mets are just more fun now that Pete Alonso is on the right track.
2. The Mets approach. It was clear the Mets had a specific approach on Tuesday Aaron Nola. The Mets were aggressive, swinging on the first pitch and not waiting for Nola to drop his curveball everywhere. Are they doing the same thing to Ranger today or are they trying to get him to work a little more and get himself into trouble. For example, Alonso has just two hits in 17 at-bats, but walks eight (.118 BA vs. .400 OBP, showing why batting average is a terrible stat). The Mets have also shown that they are not afraid of the Phillies bullpen.
3. The Phillies approach. Zack Wieler was fantastic against the Mets in game one. If this series spans five games, the Mets will face Wheeler again in Philly. If the Phillies lose today, there will be no game on Friday. Can the Phillies empty their bullpen tonight? There’s no reason to keep anyone because this is an elimination game, and their best pitcher is waiting for game five. The Mets’ baton-passing approach has been effective against the Phillies since September and must weigh on the minds of the Phillies’ relievers.

Let’s go Mets!