Game Chat: Rockies vs. Mets, 1:40 P.M.

Sunday, July 28, 2024 • 1:40 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Germán Márquez (0-0, -.–) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (4-5, 3.91)
SNY

The New York Mets look to complete the sweep of the Colorado Rockies and end the first half of the season on a high note Sunday afternoon. The Mets ranked 13th in the National League back on May 29. Since then,New York have gone 27-12 and now hold onto a wild card spot. It has been a wild ride for the Mets. A win today would put the Mets five games above .500, which would be their best mark this entire season.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Brandon Nimmo, LF
3. Francisco Alvarez, C
4. Pete Alonso, DH
5. Mark Vientos, 1B
6. Jose Iglesias, 3B
7. Tyrone Taylor, RF
8. Jeff McNeil, 2B
9. Harrison Bader, CF

Jose Quintana has tossed 96 2/3 innings for the Mets this season over 18 starts with a 3.91 ERA, 4.72 FIP, 1.262 WHIP, and a 99 ERA+. Over his last five starts he has allowed only four runs (three earned) across 30 1/3 innings (0.89 ERA, 3.53 FIP). In the month of July, has allowed no runs over 14 innings, scattering five hits and four walks. He is on a tremendous run right now.

The Rockies have the following career numbers against him:

• Charlie Blackmon 10-19, 2B, HR, 3 K
• Elias Díaz 4-13, 2B, 3 BB, 2 K
• Peter Lambert 1-4, K
• Ryan McMahon 1-7, 3 K
• Brendan Rodgers 4-12, 2B, HR, BB, 4 K
• Jacob Stallings 2-9, 2 K

Rockies Lineup

1. Charlie Blackmon, DH
2. Ezequiel Tovar, SS
3. Ryan McMahon, 3B
4. Brenton Doyle, CF
5. Brendan Rodgers, 2B
6. Jacob Stallings, C
7. Michael Toglia, 1B
8. Sean Bouchard, LF
9. Hunter Goodman, RF

Germán Márquez makes his first major league start this afternoon since undergoing Tommy John surgery early last season. Márquez, a mainstay in the Rockies’ rotation, has a career 4.41 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 1.100 WHIP, and 101 ERA+. He has had an ERA+ above 100 in six of his eight major-league seasons.

Across seven rehab outings in 2024, Márquez allowed 17 runs (15 earned) over 19 innings from 26 hits and five walks. It’s difficult to read too much into his rehab work since there are specific throwing plans early on and minor league stadiums out west have interesting aerodynamics for baseballs.

The Mets have the following career numbers against Márquez:

• Pete Alonso 0-8, BB, 4 K
• Harrison Bader 3-9, HR, 2 BB, 4 K
• Ben Gamel 1-11, 2B, 5 K
• José Iglesias 1-7, BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 2-14, 2B, 2 BB, 2 K
• J.D. Martinez 3-7, 2B, HR, K
• Jeff McNeil 4-9, 3 2B
• Brandon Nimmo 4-14, 2 BB, 5 K
• Luis Torrens 0-3, K

Game Notes

Tonight is the MLB draft. The Mets will select twice during the first day of the draft. You can read our preview about the event here.

Sunday is the Mets ‘ last game before the All-Star break. As it stands, Pete Alonso is the Mets’ lone All-Star representative. He will also participate in the home run derby.

Prior to the game, manager Carlos Mendoza offered an update on outfielder Starling Marte. He said that his recovery has been, “slow.” And added, “We’re not sure when he’ll be back.”

Prior to the game, Jose Iglesias told reporters he will be headed to Arlington, Texas where he was perform his song OMG during All-Star weekend.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Harrison Bader. The Mets were talking earlier in the week about giving Bader the day off on Saturday, but it still came as a surprise after his massive Friday night game where he went 2-for-4 with two homers. Bader’s career slash line is .247/.311/.400. This season Bader is hitting .277/.317/.427 with a 113 OPS+. The last time he had an OPS+ north of 100 was in 2021 (114 OPS+ in 2020, 2021).
2. Pitch counts. Germán Márquez will be on some sort of pitch count this afternoon. Probably somewhere between 75-90 pitches. There’s a lot that factors into that too. Longer innings are more taxing. The weather today is pretty harsh. If the Mets can give him tough at-bats early, hopefully they can get into the Rockies’ bullpen earlier. The Rockies bullpen has been one of the worst in the leagues this season but hasn’t quite looked that way (outside of a massive Lindor home run yesterday) this series.
3. Deplete the ‘pen! With the All-Star break looming the pen use could be a bit more liberal today. Everyone has pitched in the last three days with the exception of Houser who hasn’t been in a game since July 8. Danny Young and Adam Ottavino, who pitched a lot on Thursday, haven’t pitched in a few days.

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