The bats have continued to slumber for the slumping New York Mets (56-54), who are in an absolute tailspin right now. The Mets have lost three games in a row and eight of their past ten to fall out of first place, trailing the Philadelphia Phillies (58-53) by 1.5 games in the National League East. The Phillies have won seven in a row to surge past the Mets, including the first two games of this weekend series, so it is imperative for the Mets to avoid getting swept in the series finale this afternoon. First pitch for today’s game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Citizen’s Bank Park.
Right-hander Taijuan Walker (7-6, 3.86 ERA) will look to snap a personal skid as he takes the mound for the Mets this afternoon. Walker suffered his third straight loss against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, giving up four runs in 4.2 innings as he has struggled mightily since the All-Star Break. The Phillies will counter with former Met Zack Wheeler (9-6, 2.57 ERA), who is looking to make a run at the National League’s Cy Young Award winner with Jacob deGrom’s prolonged injury absence opening the door for other contenders. Wheeler had some struggles against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, giving up four runs in 7.1 innings of work, but he was still able to pick up his ninth win thanks to some excellent run support from the Phillies’ offense.
Local Coverage:
Television: SNY
Radio: WCBS
New York Mets Lineup:
Today's lineup. #LGM pic.twitter.com/GaL9C3raNw
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 8, 2021
Pre-Game Notes:
- Walker has a 3.52 ERA in three starts against the Phillies this season but doesn’t have a decision in any of them.
- Wheeler is 1-1 with a 3.10 ERA in three starts against the Mets this season.
- After sitting out yesterday Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith and Michael Conforto are back in the Mets’ starting lineup. McNeil will play second base and bat second, Smith will man left field and hit cleanup while Conforto starts in right field and bats sixth.
- Alec Bohm (4 for 8, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Didi Gregorius (4 for 14, 2B, RBI) and Ronald Torreyes (3 for 5, 2 2B, RBI) have done well against Walker in the past.
- Pete Alonso (5 for 11, 2B, RBI), J.D. Davis (5 for 12, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) and Smith (8 for 17, 2B, 2 RBI) have good numbers against Wheeler.
- This is the final game of the Mets’ seven-game road trip. The Mets are just 1-5 over the first six games.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
