Series Matchup Against the Snakes

This weekend the Mets host the Arizona Diamondback. The snakes from out west. The Snakes ride in sweeping a two game series against the Rangers. They are five and one in their last six games. Their hitting probably a big reason for their recent surge that found them getting to .500 (42-42) coming into Citi Field.

First time All-Star A.J. Pollock has been swinging a hot bat having a seven game hit streak and having multi-hit games in five of those seven. He is having a breakout year with the bat and has always played a good center field. The Mets will want to look to keep this table setter at bay.

Yasmany Tomas has shown why he was so sought after. He was a player that I was hoping the Mets would get when he decided he wanted to play in the big leagues instead of Cuba, but the Mets didn’t want to spend the $68.5 million over six years, that the D-Backs inked him for. The 24 year old started the year in the minor leagues. He wasn’t sent there so much for his bat but for his defense. The D-Backs didn’t know where to put him, either third or a corner outfield spot. He started a few games at third when Jake Lamb went down but his defense their is well below average. They then put him in right field and his defense got better but he’s still at best an average outfielder, probably more a below average outfielder. His bat makes up for his poor outfield play though. His carrying a .313 average, five homers and even a few swiped bags. The Mets should look to hit it to him and not let him hit the ball.

The National League starting first baseman is Paul Goldschmidt. What can you say about him other than he’s been nothing other than an All-Star. This is the guy that you can’t let beat you. Challenge him with nobody on but his bat is MVP caliber.

The Mets need Lucas Duda to find his swing again. He has the kind of bat that could help the Met win a couple of close games. This is a middle of the order bat that needs to find his stroke again. 

The Mets offense as a whole needs to swing a better bat especially with runners in scoring position, they have been stunningly able to win games without getting hits when there are ducks on the pond.

The Arizona Diamondbacks clearly take the edge on offense but like against most teams, the pitching matchup for the series favor the Mets.

On Friday Noah Syndergaard (3-4 3.38 ERA) goes against Chase Anderson (4-2 3.71 ERA). On Saturday Matt Harvey (7-6 3.11 ERA) opposes Patrick Corbin (1-0 3.60 ERA) in his second start of the season. And to round out the series Steven Matz takes the ball against Rubby De La Rosa (6-4 4.89).

After winning two series, one against the Dodgers and then the Giants, the Mets are in good position to win another series, at least from a pitching standpoint. I think the Mets could score a few runs while limiting the damage against these quick scoring Snakes.

What do you think of the matchup? Let me know what you think. 

Send the fans into the All-Star break on a winning note! Let's go Mets!