Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Orioles play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Monday…
Preview
The start of a gauntlet
The Mets’ latest stretch against mostly subpar opponents is over, and they did not fare well.
New York lost two of three games to the Angels in Los Angeles, lost two of three games to the Athletics at Citi Field, and squandered a chance to sweep the Marlins at home on Sunday.
The Mets’ failures to snag enough games against the three aforementioned teams — they let one very winnable game slip away against each opponent — makes their upcoming stretch against the Orioles (during what will be their last home series of August), Diamondbacks, and Padres one that could make or break their season.
Baltimore is in a battle with the Yankees for the AL East title, with the teams tied entering play on Monday.
The Orioles, who have been playing .500 ball recently, feature a ferocious offense that has scored 630 runs — behind only the D-backs and Yankees.
But they’re vulnerable when it comes to their starting rotation, which has been decimated by injuries to Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and John Means.
During this series, the Mets will face Trevor Rogers (4.89 ERA), Dean Kremer (4.48 ERA), and Zach Eflin (3.72 ERA).
Francisco Lindor has caught fire again
After briefly coming back down to earth, Lindor has launched himself back into the stratosphere.
In 12 games since Aug. 6, Lindor is slashing .359/.393/.566 with two homers, three doubles, one triple, nine runs scored, and eight RBI.
His triple slash for the season is up to .264/.337/.469, and his OPS+ is 129.
Lindor, who is all but certain to receive MVP votes for the third straight season, is on pace to finish the campaign with 31 homers, 39 doubles, 108 runs scored, and 94 RBI.
How will Starling Marte look?
Marte returned on Sunday after a long stint on the IL, and had a successful first game back.
He went 1-for-3, and one of his outs — an absolute seed of a line drive toward the first base line — was an unlucky one.
Carlos Mendoza said that the Mets would be careful with Marte’s playing time, which could mean him getting some extra days off and some time at DH.
What will be interesting to see is how the Mets deploy the outfield if the shoulder issue that caused Brandon Nimmo to leave Sunday’s game early lingers.
Edwin Diaz needs to pitch
Diaz has pitched just twice since Aug. 7, with both of those appearances coming against the A’s (one last Tuesday and the other last Thursday).
Going back a bit farther, Diaz has pitched only four times this month.
The above is what made it curious that Mendoza did not have Diaz ready with two outs in the eighth inning of a tie game on Sunday against the Marlins — instead opting for Phil Maton, who allowed what wound up being the game-winning hit.
With the Mets in desperate need of that last out, turning to Diaz would’ve made sense — and would’ve potentially allowed him to pitch the ninth inning as well.
Can Jose Quintana snap out of it?
Quintana has had two rough starts in a row.
He allowed four runs on seven hits to the A’s last Thursday after giving up five runs on four hits to the Mariners on Aug. 9 in Seattle.
But it was the start against Oakland that was the really troublesome one.
Staked to a 5-0 lead, Quintana squandered it, allowing a grand slam that cut the Mets’ lead to 5-4 during what turned out to be a crushing loss.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Pete Alonso
Alonso is in the midst of a mini power surge, with four homers in his last 10 games.
And he’s due for some big hits with runners in scoring position — an area he’s struggled badly this season.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Sean Manaea
Manaea had a hiccup against the Mariners on Aug. 10, but has been nails for the most part lately, with a 2.25 ERA in 24.0 innings over his last four starts.
Which Orioles player will be a thorn in Mets’ side?
Gunnar Henderson
One of the best young players in baseball, Henderson is having a monster this season, slashing .288/.374/.562 with 33 homers and a 167 OPS+.
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