Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Marlins play a four-game series at Citi Field starting on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.
5 things to watch
King Tong
Jonah Tonglaid waste to minor league hitters in the 22 starts he made this season between Double-A Binghamton (20 starts) and Triple-A Syracuse (two starts).
In 113.2 innings, he posted a 1.43 ERA and 0.92 WHIP while allowing just 58 hits and striking out an absurd 179 batters.
Tong's dominance combined with the Mets' need in the big league rotation led to his call-up, and he'll make his much-anticipated debut on Friday night.
Featuring an electric fastball and Vulcan changeup, Tong will also mix in a slider (his newest offering) and 12-to-6 curve.
Tong's over the top delivery is reminiscent of Tim Lincecum — something that isn't lost on the rookie.
"The one that everyone always sees is Tim Lincecum," Tong told SNY earlier this season. "Loved how he threw. They called him The Freak for a reason. I would say mechanics-wise, that’s probably the one I’m most similar to, although it’s not even intentional. … but Tim Lincecum is probably the most obvious one to me."
Mets are feeling RISPy
As the Mets ebbed and flowed over the first four months of the season, one thing was a near constant — their struggles with runners in scoring position.
It was baffling, considering the amount of dangerous, seasoned hitters who were up and down the lineup. And the longer it went on, the more ridiculous it seemed.
Well, things have turned.
The Mets are hitting a sizzling .388 with runners in scoring position since Aug. 12, closely aligning with the 8-3 run they're on.
A few huge turns of events during that span? Francisco Lindor broke out of his slump and has been tearing the cover off the ball for the last few weeks, and Mark Vientos has become the 2024 version of himself that helped make New York's lineup go.
Since July 28, Vientos is hitting .316/.341/.671 with seven homers, six doubles, and 22 RBI in 82 plate appearances over 20 games, bringing a new dynamic to the middle of the lineup.
Can Kodai Senga right the ship?
It's been a struggle for Senga over the last month-plus.
In 31.0 innings over seven starts, he has a 6.10 ERA (6.32 FIP) and has allowed seven home runs.
Senga also hasn't been providing much length, failing to complete 5.0 innings on four occasions during that span and never going more than 5.2 frames.
Along the way, Senga has cited his mechanics as one of the reasons for his scuffling. Meanwhile, after Senga's last start, manager Carlos Mendoza noted how many "noncompetitive" pitches Senga threw.
Senga will look to get things back on track when he starts on Sunday.
The playoff chase
By sweeping the Phillies in a three-game series at Citi Field, the Mets did three things.
- They pulled to within 4.0 games of Philadelphia for first place in the NL East, with four games against the Phillies coming up in Philadelphia next month
- They gained 3.0 games on the Reds for the third Wild Card spot in the National League, and now lead them by 4.5 games (5.0 in the loss column)
- They crept to within 2.5 games of the Padres (2.0 in the loss column) for the second Wild Card spot and 4.0 games of the Cubs for the first Wild Card spot
Eury Perez and Edward Cabrera are legit
Despite trudging toward another poor finish, the Marlins are dangerous to face simply because two of their starting pitchers have been really tough to hit this season.
And the Mets will face both of them during this series.
The 22-year-old Eury Perez, who starts on Friday, has a 3.44 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in what is his first season back after Tommy John surgery.
Edward Cabrera, who gets the ball on Saturday, has a 3.32 ERA and 1.18 WHIP and is coming off a masterpiece against the Braves. Cabrera fired 7.0 innings of one-hit, shutout ball against Atlanta on Monday while walking two and striking out 10.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Mark Vientos
Vientos looks as comfortable as he has all year.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
David Peterson
Peterson has been stellar in his last two starts, allowing just two runs in 13.2 innings while striking out 18
Which Marlins player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Jakob Marsee
The rookie has been on a tear over his first 90 big league at-bats, slashing .356/.422/.667
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