7/23/19 Game Preview: San Diego Padres at New York Mets

The New York Mets (45-54) had a chance to make a good road trip great, but it ended in excruciating fashion. Despite going 5-4 on the trip, the Mets could easily have gone 8-1 with a four game sweep in San Francisco, but they lost three times by one run in extra innings. The Mets can still dream about hanging around in the competitive National League wild card race, but they are running out of time to make a move before the deadline. That move would have to begin tonight, when the Mets welcome the struggling San Diego Padres (47-52) to town. First pitch for the opener of this three game series is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field.

The Mets will send left hander Jason Vargas (4-5, 4.25 ERA) to the mound tonight. Vargas pitched well in his last start, allowing three runs in six innings to beat the Minnesota Twins last Wednesday to earn his fourth win of the year. The Padres will counter with brilliant rookie righty Chris Paddack (6-4, 2.70 ERA). Paddack took a no hitter into the eighth inning in his last start, allowing one run on one hit over 7.2 innings to pick up his sixth win of the year against the Miami Marlins.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WCBS

New York Mets Lineup:

Back home for a six-game homestand. #LGM

⌚️ 👉 7:10 p.m.
🏟 👉 https://t.co/gxMXDAD096
💪 👉 Jason Vargas
👀 👉 @SNYtv
👂 👉 @wcbs880, @ESPNDep1050AM
💻 👉 https://t.co/ssP0Ho62kf pic.twitter.com/w4Id24w9tx

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 23, 2019

Pre-Game Notes:

• The Padres won two out of three against the Mets in San Diego back in May.
• The Mets won two out of three against the Padres at Citi Field last July.
• Vargas is 2-2 with a 4.80 ERA in five career starts against the Padres.
• Paddack faced the Mets back on May 6, tossing 7.2 shutout innings to pick up his third win of the year.
• After getting the day off on Sunday, Robinson Cano and Dominic Smith are back in the Mets’ lineup. Cano will start at second base and bat cleanup while Smith starts in left field and bats sixth.
• Ian Kinsler is batting .373 (25 for 67) with eight doubles, two triples, two home runs, and eight RBI’s in his career against Vargas.