It may have seemed inevitable but the New York Mets (47-29) are officially on their longest losing streak of the season. A 2-0 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday was the third loss in a row for the Mets, marking the first time this season that they have lost more than two in a row. The Mets now are set to begin a tough stretch of 17 consecutive games to end the first half as they look to snap their losing skid against the Texas Rangers (36-38) tonight. First pitch for the opener of this weekend series is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be streamed nationally as part of Apple TV+’s Friday Night Baseball package.
2021 was a tough year for the Rangers, who went 60-102 to finish dead last in the American League West, trailing the first-place Astros by 35 games. Texas responded to disappointment by opening its checkbook in a huge way during the offseason, signing infielders Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to massive long-term deals while also signing Jon Gray and Martin Perez to deals to bolster their rotation. Trades were also important for Texas, which dealt for Mitch Garver to add some pop behind the plate. The early returns weren’t great for the Rangers but they have played better baseball of late, climbing into second place in the AL West and just 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the American League. This series may be more important for Texas than it is for the Mets, making it a worthy challenge for a Mets team trying to get back on track.
Left-hander David Peterson (4-1, 3.10 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Mets today. Peterson pitched well against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, allowing just two runs in seven innings of work, but was not a factor in the decision of a game the Mets lost 3-2 on a walk-off home run. The Rangers will counter with righty Glenn Otto (4-3, 5.31 ERA). Otto was shelled by the Washington Nationals on Sunday, giving up six runs in two innings to suffer his third loss of the year.
Local Coverage:
Television: None
Streaming: Apple TV+
Radio: WCBS
New York Mets Lineup:
Back in black. #LGM
🆚: Texas
💪: @_David_Peterson
📍: @CitiField
🕕: 7:10 p.m.
📺: @AppleTVPlus
📻: @wcbs880
🔗: https://t.co/Cs2WwhFInL pic.twitter.com/lcfYvZK1AE— New York Mets (@Mets) July 1, 2022
Pre-Game Notes:
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The Mets and Rangers haven’t met since 2017, when the Mets split a four-game home-and-home with Texas.
The Mets split a two-game series with Texas during the Rangers’ last trip to Citi Field in August of 2017.
Neither team has faced the opposing starter before.
Chris Bassitt, who was originally scheduled to start tonight, was placed on the COVID IL prior to the game. RHP R.J. Alvarez was recalled from AAA Syracuse to take Bassitt’s place on the active roster.
Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar are back in the Mets’ starting lineup after getting Wednesday off. Canha will bat sixth and start in left field while Escobar hits eighth and starts at third base.
Jeff McNeil will serve as the designated hitter tonight and bat fifth.
Starling Marte is 2 for 3 (.667) with a triple and two RBIs in his career against Otto.
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