The Mets are aiming for a series split in their four-game series with the Diamondbacks this afternoon at 4:10 PM ET at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Here is this afternoon’s starting lineup for New York:
Curtis Granderson – RF
Ruben Tejada – 2B
Lucas Duda – 1B
Michael Cuddyer – LF
Wilmer Flores – SS
Juan Lagares – CF
Eric Campbell – 3B
Kevin Plawecki – C
Jacob deGrom – RHP
Here is today’s pitching matchup:
Jacob deGrom (6-4, 2.41 ERA) will start for the Mets.
This is deGrom’s first career start against Arizona.
Key matchups vs. deGrom:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia: 1-for-8, 2B
Josh Collmenter (3-5, 5.03 ERA) will start for the Diamondbacks.
Career vs. New York: 2-2, 4.50 ERA, 8 appearances, 3 starts
Career at Chase Field: 21-17, 3.36 ERA, 82 appearances, 43 starts
Key matchups vs. Collmenter:
Michael Cuddyer: 3-for-9, 3 RBI
Lucas Duda: 2-for-5, RBI
Ruben Tejada: 2-for-7, RBI
Here’s what I am looking for from the Mets today…
Jake deGrominant.
Which is unfair, because he cannot dominate every time out, as good as he’s been over the last three weeks or so. But, he may have to with the Mets complete lack of offense at the moment. He’s going to have to ensure his fastball and slider are moving down in the zone today, given the conditions at Chase Field. But, he’s shown that should not be a problem.
It’s more of a question of whether or not he can be good enough for long enough to carry this team to a win this afternoon.
Speaking of offense…
There’s gotta be a way for this team to string together a few runs for the starter today. They’re obviously troubled at the plate, but they’re so stagnant when they actually get on base. This is a call for the manager to start thinking outside the box, thinking outside of the general comfort zone, and start to find a way to get the engine going, especially in a hitters haven like Chase Field where even the worst offenses should be able to score some runs.
Just Mets 