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The Mets look to keep the winning ways going on Friday as they open a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field at 7:10 pm on SNY.
Mets Notes
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The Mets are 8-4 against AL teams this season
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Jeff McNeil has slashed .333/.382/.454 in 79 career interleague games and Starling Marte has slashed .326/.388/.542 with 84 extra-base hits in 181 interleague games
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Pete Alonso, who has 20 home runs on the season, has hit 35 dingers against AL teams since the 2019 season
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The Mets are 27-0 when leading after eight innings this season and have won their last 122 games when leading after eight, the longest active streak in baseball
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Mark Canha is slashing .333/.442/.556 with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBI in his last 14 games
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The Mets have won eight straight home games, their longest streak since they won nine straight last season. New York has pitched to a 2.80 ERA and outscored opponents 38-26 in the streak
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Friday is the Mets’ 25th game at Citi Field of the year, the fewest home games in MLB
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Blue Jays |
Mets |
|---|---|
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George Springer, RF |
Brandon Nimmo, CF |
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Bo Bichette, SS |
Francisco Lindor, SS |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B |
Jeff McNeil, 2B |
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Brandon Belt, DH |
Pete Alonso, 1B |
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Matt Chapman, 3B |
Brett Baty, 3B |
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Whit Merrifield2B |
Starling Marte, RF |
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Daulton VarshoLF |
Mark Vientos, DH |
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Alejandro KirkC |
Mark Canha, LF |
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Kevin Kiermaier, CF |
Francisco Alvarez, C |
Who is starting for the Mets?
Justin Verlander takes the hill for the sixth time this season. Verlander has had an up-and-down start to his time in Queens after beginning the season on the injured list.
After tossing a dominating eight innings in a win over Cleveland, Verlander got shelled for six runs over five innings for the second time in his last three starts last Saturday at Colorado.
In total, the veteran has allowed 16 runs on 27 hits over 30 innings for a 4.80 ERA (4.59 FIP). Despite walking just six batters and striking out 22, he has been tagged for five home runs. Verlander’s 1.100 WHIP is well above his recent average after he led the league in that category in the last three full seasons he pitched.
Verlander has had success against Toronto in his career as two of his three career no-hitters were against the Jays in Rogers Centre. The 40-year-old has a 2.67 ERA in 380.1 innings over 58 career interleague starts.
The Mets are 16-0 when the starter completes at least six innings and 6-0 when the starter goes seven. Verlander has only gone over six innings twice this year.
Who is starting for the Blue Jays?
Chris Bassittthe former Met, takes the ball for the visitors in his 12th start of the year.
Bassitt has been sharp for Toronto after signing as a free agent this offseason, but the right-hander is coming off two of the worst starts of his campaign in which he surrendered six runs (two earned) in 6.1 innings at Tampa Bay and seven runs in four innings at Minnesota.
Overall, the 34-year-old has allowed 33 runs (28 earned) on 50 hits over 66.1 innings pitched good for a 3.80 ERA (5.22 FIP). He has been tagged for 11 homers and walked 26 while striking out 57 and takes a 1.146 WHIP into Friday night’s game.
In his one season in Queens, Bassitt pitched to a 3.42 ERA (3.66 FIP) in 181.2 innings over 30 starts.
Upcoming schedule
The Mets play the second game of the three-game set against Toronto Saturday at Citie Field with first pitch set for 4:10 pm
Right-hander Taylor Megill (5-3, 4.67 ERA) will take the mound for the home team against a right-hander Jose Berrios (5-4, 3.86 ERA).