Wednesday, October 9, 2024 • 5:08 p.m
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Ranger Suarez (12-8, 3.46) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75)
FS1

The Mets will try to win a playoff for the first time this afternoon at Citi Field! On Tuesday, the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the five-game series Thanks to a dominant start from Sean Manaeawho shut out the Phillies for more than 7 innings. Pete Alonso scored the first goal early on with a solo shot. Towards the end of the game, the Mets bats put together several small rallies their way to a 7-2 win. Let’s finish it off in Queens tonight!

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Mets lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Mark Vientos – 3B
3. Brandon Nimmo –LF
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. Jose Iglesias – 2B
6. JD Martinez – DH
7. Starling Marte – RF
8. Tyrone Taylor – C.F
9. Francisco Alvarez – C

Jose Quintana will start a decisive game for the second time in a row. His last start was in a winner-take-all elimination game in which he held the Brewers scoreless over six innings, handed out four hits and a walk, and had five strikeouts. In the regular season, he pitched 170 1/3 innings with a 3.75 ERA, a 4.56 FIP, a 1.250 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 105. Quintana finished the season on a great run with an ERA of 0, 74 and a FIP of 2.48 in six games. That includes a start against the Phillies in Philly, where Quintana held them scoreless over seven innings. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Alec Boehm 3-15, 2B, HR, 3K
• Nick Castellanos 13-53, 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 10 K
• Bryce Harper 4-21, 2B, HR, BB, 8K
• Austin Hays 1-1
• Brandon Marsh 0-2, K
• JT Realmuto 4-19, HR, 3 BB, K
• Johan Rojas 5-9, 2 K
• Kyle Schwarber 7-24, 2B, HR, 7K
• Edmundo Sosa 3-9, 2B, 3K
• Bryson Stott 0-3, BB, K
• Garrett Stubbs 0-2
• Trea Turner 6-24, 2B, 3K
• Weston Wilson 0-6, 2 K

Opposing formation

1. Kyle Schwarber – DH
2. Trea Turner – SS
3. Bryce Harper – 1B
4. Nicholas Castellanos – RF
5. Alec Boehm – 3B
6. JT Realmuto – C
7. Bryson Stott – 2B
8. Weston Wilson –LF
9. Brandon Marsh – C.F

Ranger Suarez has thrown 150 2/3 innings over 27 starts with a 3.46 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.201 WHIP and 117 ERA+. He hasn’t pitched since Sept. 27, when he allowed six runs over two innings to the Nationals. In his final six starts of the season, he had a 6.49 ERA and 5.37 FIP over 26 1/3 innings, allowing five home runs. That includes a start against the Mets in which Suárez allowed two runs, both solo homers, over five innings in a game the Mets won 6-3. For the season, Suárez has a 2.30 ERA in three starts against the Mets. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Luisangel Acuna 1-2, HR
• Pete Alonso 2-17, 2 2B, 8 BB, 4 K
• Francisco Alvarez 1-7, HR, 3 K
• Harrison Bader 1-7
• Jose Iglesias 6-8, 2 2B, K
• Francisco Lindor 5-16, 2B, HR, BB, K
• Starling Marte 6-19, 2B, 2BB, K
• JD Martinez 2-9, 2B, BB, 3K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-25, 3BB, 4K
• Tyrone Taylor 2-7, K
• Luis Torrens 1-5, BB, 2K
• Mark Vientos 3-15, 2B, HR, 7K
• Jesse Winker 1-5, 2 K

Game notes

Jesse Winker was the first designated hitter in Mets postseason history to hit a home run. He definitely enjoyed it the explosion on the upper deck.

The Scottsdale Scorpions did it 2024 Arizona Fall League debut on Tuesday evening. Mets prospects Jett Williams, Drew GilbertAnd Jacob Reimer (two RBIs) each had a hit and a knockdown in at least one run. Right-handed Saul García pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

The Mets have a 13-29 record with six walks in the 2024 postseason when facing relievers with runners in scoring position.

Bartolo Colon will catch the first pitch tonight Daniel Murphy.

Three things to pay attention to

1. Pete Alonso. The postseason can completely rewrite a regular season. In Alonso’s last four games, he has gone 3-for-14, with all three hits being home runs, and has drawn three walks. All three home runs were on the opposite field. He saved the Mets’ season in Milwaukee. He powered Citi Field. The Mets are just more fun when Pete Alonso gets going.
2. The Mets approach. It was clear the Mets took a certain approach on Tuesday Aaron Nola. The Mets were aggressive, swinging at the first pitch and not waiting for Nola to drop his curveball everywhere. Are they doing the same thing with Ranger today or are they trying to get him to work a little harder and get himself into trouble? For example, Alonso only has two hits in 17 at-bats but eight walks (.118 BA vs. .400 OBP, which shows why the batting average is a terrible stat). The Mets have also shown that they are not afraid of the Phillies bullpen.
3. The Phillies approach. Zack Wheeler was fantastic in the first game against the Mets. If this series lasts five games, the Mets will face Wheeler again in Philly. If the Phillies lose today, there will be no game on Friday. Could the Phillies empty their bullpen tonight? There is no reason to keep anyone since this is an elimination game and their best pitcher is waiting for the fifth game. The Mets’ baton-handing approach was already proven against the Phillies in September and must be hard on the Phillies’ replacements.

Let’s go, Mets!