The Mets (16-17) head to Miller Park for a weekend series with the Milwaukee Brewers (18-17), a club that has won three of four and six of its last nine at home. New York wrapped up a homestand where they were one blown save away from a 5-1 record against Miami and San Francisco, considered a successful stretch for most teams. Not for the 2017 Mets, who have limped through the season’s first six weeks surrounded by controversy and a slew of injuries involving several of their marquee players.
In less than a week, Matt Harvey was suspended for not showing up to work, staff ace Noah Syndergaard was transferred to the 60-day disabled list with a torn lat muscle, and Jeurys Familia was diagnosed with an arterial clot in his right shoulder. The All-Star closer, who led the majors in saves last season, recently returned from a suspension of his own for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy and could miss an extended period of time with what appears to be a fairly serious medical condition.
At this point, a road trip free of doctor visits or impromptu press conferences might be considered a win for Terry Collins’ squad, no matter the final line scores.
When and Where
Game 1: Friday @ 8:10 p.m. EST (TV: SNY; RADIO: 710 WOR, ESPN Deportes)
Game 2: Saturday @ 7:10 p.m. EST (TV: WPIX; RADIO: 710 WOR, ESPN Deportes)
Game 3: Sunday @ 2:10 p.m. EST (TV: WPIX; RADIO: 710 WOR, ESPN Deportes)
Baseball Weather
Note that these conditions are only applicable if the retractable roof is open.
Friday: Clear and comfortable with an estimated first-pitch temperature around 54F.
Saturday: Mostly clear with a low of 47F.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with a high of 61F and winds between 10-15 mph.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday: RHP Matt Harvey (2-2, 5.14 ERA, 4.96 DRA, .287 TAv, 0.2 WARP) vs. RHP Matt Garza (1-0, 2.55 ERA, 4.01 DRA, .243 TAv, -0.3 WARP)
All eyes will be on Harvey, hoping to begin what could be a lengthy process of mending fences with teammates and fans alike by going out there and winning games for a club that desperately needs some stability. It won’t be easy against a Milwaukee offense that ranks fifth in the league in runs scored. Harvey’s two starts prior to the suspension were abysmal, with the former first-round pick charged with the loss in both outings while allowing 12 runs on 13 hits and eight walks over 9.2 innings.
Garza, meanwhile, has been a pleasant surprise since starting the year on the DL with a strained groin. The 12-year veteran held the Pirates to one run in seven innings on Saturday, his second straight quality start.
Saturday: RHP Robert Gsellman (2-2, 6.54 ERA, 7.68 DRA, .358 TAv, -0.8 WARP) vs. RHP Zach Davies (3-2, 5.60 ERA, 6.37 DRA, .323 TAv, -0.4 WARP)
Gsellman has shown brief flashes of the effective hurler who filled in admirably down the stretch last year, but overall the long-haired rookie has been a disappointment. He has won his last two outings, due mostly to solid run support.
Davies makes his third career start against New York, striking out 12 over 11.1 innings with a 3.18 ERA in the previous two.
Sunday: RHP Jacob deGrom (2-1, 3.80 ERA, 2.07 DRA, .264 TAv, 1.6 WARP) vs. RHP Wily Peralta (4-2, 5.30 ERA, 6.14 DRA, .314 TAv, -0.3 WARP)
deGrom struck out 11 Giants over six innings on Monday, already his fourth double-digit strikeout game in the young season. He is 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA in five career starts against the Brewers, including a perfect 2-0 behind 14.1 scoreless frames at Miller Park.
Peralta failed to make it out of the fifth against Boston on Tuesday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. Milwaukee went on to win 11-7 despite the poor performance.
Who’s Hot?
Mets IF Wilmer Flores (Despite booting a possible game-ending double-play ball in the series finale, he was 7-for-14 in three starts against the Giants)
Mets C Rene Rivera (.476 BA with 5 RBI over his last five games)
Mets OF Michael Conforto (4 hits in his last 9 at-bats, including 1 HR and 4 runs scored)
Brewers 1B/OF Eric Thames (.500 BA with 2 home runs and 5 RBI in his last four games)
Brewers CF Keon Broxton (6-for-12 with 2 doubles, a home run and 4 RBI in 3-game series vs. Boston)
Brewers RF Domingo Santana (.333 BA in the Red Sox series)
Who’s Not?
Mets 3B/SS Jose Reyes (1-for-14 (.071) in his last four games)
Mets OF Curtis Granderson (2 hits in his last 14 at-bats)
Brewers SS Orlando Arcia (.115 BA with no extra-base hits in May)
When We Last Met
The two clubs split a four-game set at Miller Park last June, with Bartolo Colon winning the series opener behind seven innings of one-run ball.
It’s Literally a 10-Day DL
Mets: Conforto (tight hamstring) did not start on Wednesday, but did appear as a pinch-hitter late in the game. SS Asdrubal Cabrera (aching legs) has also been limited to pinch-hitting duties recently, but is expected back in the lineup for this series. 1B Lucas Duda (hyperextended left elbow) is slated to return this weekend after completing a minor-league rehab assignment with St. Lucie. Familia’s status should be clearer closer to game time, as General Manager Sandy Alderson is scheduled to provide an update to reporters in Milwaukee on Friday afternoon.
Brewers: LF Ryan Braun (strained left calf) was placed on the 10-Day DL prior to Friday’s series opener. In a corresponding move, Milwaukee selected Eric Sogard from Triple-A Colorado Springs. RHP Junior Guerra (right calf), injured while running the bases on opening day, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Monday with Double-A Biloxi.
Notable Quotables
“I wish I could tell you how many times somebody would say to me ‘Hey, I’m gonna do this’ and the answer that I give them is don’t tell me, show me. That speaks more than anything else.” – Collins on Harvey addressing his teammates upon returning from suspension
“There’s a place where we thrive, and that mound is where his is so we’ve got to get him back on there… He’s back in the mix and he’s as important to us as anybody right now.” – Collins on Harvey’s Friday night start in Milwaukee
“I feel good about the lineup we’re putting out there no matter who’s in there.” – Brewers’ manager Craig Counsell following Wednesday’s 7-4 win over Boston
Photo credit: Benny Sieu – USA Today Sports