Game Chat: Cubs vs Mets. 7:10 PM

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Shōta Imanaga (4-0, 0.98) vs. RHP Jose Buttó (0-1, 2.86)
SNY

The Mets got back in the win column Tuesday night behind DJ Stewart who delivered the Mets the big hit they’ve been missing. For much of the night the game felt the same as Sunday and Monday. The Mets were getting effective starting pitching, keeping runs off the board. The Mets were struggling to push any of their own runners across the plate. In the bottom of the sixth Stewart hit his fourth homer of the year and carried the Mets to victory.

Today’s game, on paper, is the toughest pitching matchup of the series for the Mets bats as they face off against Shōta Imanaga. Can the Mets channel last night’s magic for a second straight game?

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Mets Lineup

1. Tyrone Taylor – LF
2. Starling Marte – RF
3. Francisco Lindor – SS
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. J.D. Martinez – DH
6. Jeff McNeil – 2B
7. Harrison Bader – CF
8. Brett Baty – 3B
9. Tomás Nido – C

Jose Buttó looks to keep the Mets starting pitching streak going tonight! Mets starters have been excellent in three consecutive games, with two pitchers going eight innings and Manaea last night allowing only one run over five. This season, Buttó has made four starts totaling 22 innings with a 2.86 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 1.091 WHIP, and a 140 ERA+. He’s coming off of his worst start of the season, where he allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings from four hits and three walks. Walks have been a weak point this season, currently allowing 12 free passes this season. Buttó has never faced anyone on the Cubs roster in a major league game.

Opposing Lineup

1. Nico Hoerner – 2B
2. Mike Tauchman – RF
3. Ian Happ – LF
4. Christopher Morel – 3B
5. Michael Busch – 1B
6. Dansby Swanson – SS
7. Matt Mervis – DH
8. Miguel Amaya – C
9. Pete Crow-Armstrong – CF

Shōta Imanaga is having a phenomenal start to his major league career. Over his first five starts, he has pitched 27 2/3 innings with a 0.98 ERA, 2.40 FIP, 0.795 WHIP, and a 443 ERA+. In five of his six starts, he has allowed one run or less (in his first three starts, he allowed zero earned runs). He’s getting results with his fastball which has a .166 wOBA so far this season and has put him in the 100th percentile for fastball run value. His off-speed stuff is more susceptible (.336 wOBA for his sweeper, but he only throws it 8% of the time). No one on the Mets roster has seen him in a major league game.

Game Notes

The Mets traded Zack Short to the Red Sox for cash. Short had recently been designated for assignment.

Jiman Choi will not opt out of his minor league deal with the Mets. Wednesday was a veteran opt-out day, and numerous players exercised their choice to leave their current organization, including former Met Dominic Smith, who left the Rays to join the Red Sox major league roster.

Pete Alonso, Reed Garrett and Luis Severino were our Players of the Month in April.

Last month, the Mets’ bullpen was one of the best in baseball; they led the majors in strikeouts and average against.

Three Things To Watch For

1. The Mets need rallies. On Sunday’s game, the Mets had eight hits and recorded six walks, which all converted into only four runs. Harrison Bader and Mark Vientos (who has since been optioned to the minors) were the only two Mets with two hits. Lindor and Alonso together accounted for five of the walks. Monday, the Mets had only four hits and three walks, which turned into only one run. Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil were the only two hitters that were on base twice. On Tuesday, the Mets had seven hits and only one walk. Only Jeff McNeil was on base twice. The Mets bats are slumping and they are struggling to get rallies going right now.
2. Mets need to find playing time for DJ Stewart and Tyrone Taylor. DJ Stewart was a difference maker Tuesday night, hitting a three-run home run that increased his RBI total to 14 on the year. Only Pete Alonso (15) and Brandon Nimmo (18) have had more this season. Tyrone Taylor is right behind DJ Stewart with 13. The Mets’ depth has been a real strength so far in 2024.
3. Extended Rest? No Problem. Ottavino pitched in his 10th game on Tuesday night, but it was his first game since April 24th. Ottavino didn’t look rusty at all, though. He only needed nine pitches to get out of the inning, recording his fourth hold of the year.

Let’s go Mets!

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