The season is one-third over for the New York Mets (9-11), who are in position to make baseball’s expanded postseason. The schedule has certainly been difficult early as the Mets have already played a pair of series against the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. The Mets will kick off a seven-game road trip today as they begin their season series with the Philadelphia Phillies (5-9) today. First pitch for the opener of this weekend set is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Citizen’s Bank Park.
The Phillies had a disappointing 2019 after a massive offseason spending spree saw then land stars like Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen. The end result was a .500 record of 81-81, good for fourth place in the National League East as Philadelphia finished 16 games behind the first-place Braves. The Phillies made a few major transactions again in the offseason, signing former Met Zack Wheeler to bolster their rotation and adding Didi Gregorius on a one-year deal to play shortstop. The big problem for Philadelphia so far has been a horrendous bullpen featuring an ERA of 10.13, easily the worst in the major leagues.
The Mets will send right-hander Walker Lockett (1-1, 8.34 ERA in 2019) to the mound this evening. Lockett will be taking the place of Jacob deGrom, who was scratched due to neck stiffness and is hoping to return to the Mets’ rotation early next week. The Phillies will counter with rookie righty Spencer Howard (0-1, 7.71 ERA), one of the team’s top pitching prospects. Howard struggled in his major league debut on Sunday, giving up four runs in 4.2 innings to lose to the Atlanta Braves.
Local Coverage:
Television: SNY
Radio: WCBS
New York Mets Lineup:
Tonight's starting lineup. #LGM pic.twitter.com/4SDuVsEY2T
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 14, 2020
Pre-Game Notes:
- The Mets went just 7-12 against the Phillies in 2019, including a 3-7 mark at Citizen’s Bank Park.
- Lockett is 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA in three career appearances, including two starts, against the Phillies.
- The Mets have activated Robinson Cano from the injured list and inserted him into the starting lineup tonight. Cano will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.
- Drew Smith was optioned to the alternate site to make room for Cano on the active roster.
- Jeff McNeil is feeling better but is out of the lineup tonight. Dominic Smith will start in left field and bat cleanup.
- Amed Rosario is back in the lineup after missing the past three games with a stomach bug. He will bat ninth and start at shortstop.
- J.D. Davis will get the night off. Andres Gimenez will move over to third base and hit seventh.
- Wilson Ramos is back in the lineup after getting the day off yesterday. He will catch and bat sixth.
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