David Peterson (plus Brett Baty and Juan Soto) are just what the doctor ordered
The Mets, who have struggled in recent weeks, bounce back with a big win over the Dodgers. Plus, how David Peterson gave the team exactly what they needed.
Let’s go Knicks! 🏀
What’s up with the Mets? ⚾
The Mets bounced back with a 5-2 victory over the Dodgers on Saturday night (box | highlights)
LHP David Peterson was excellent in the win, allowing two runs over 7.2 innings with seven strikeouts, matching the longest outing of his career
3B Brett Baty continued his resurgence at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI, a walk and a run scored
RF Juan Soto went 2-for-5 with a two-run double in the win last night
Prior to his big hit last night, Soto had been 1-for-his-last-24 with runners in scoring position
RHP Edwin Díaz entered the game in the 8th inning and successfully nailed down the four-out save, his 11th save of the season
After being scratched from the lineup on Friday with left abdominal soreness, DH Mark Vientos appeared as a pinch-hitter in last night’s game and worked a walk
Roster Moves 📰
LHP Brandon Waddell recalled from Triple-A Syracuse
INF/OF Jared Young recalled from Triple-A Syracuse
LHP Genesis Cabrera designated for assignment
OF José Azocar designated for assignment
Injury Updates 🏥
RHP Frankie Montas (high-grade right lat strain) made his first rehab appearance in High-A Brooklyn on Saturday
LF Brandon Nimmo (neck soreness) sat out on Saturday and is expected to miss several days before returning to the Mets lineup
Who’s Hot? 🔥
After going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI last night, 3B Brett Baty is now hitting .359 with five home runs, a double and 13 RBIs over his last 14 games
RHP Edwin Díaz has a 0.57 ERA with 23 strikeouts over his last 15 appearances, going 7-for-7 in save opportunities
Play of the Game 🌟
It’s been no secret that things haven’t gone exactly as planned for Juan Soto to start his Mets career. Stepping up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in a tie game last night, the star outfielder was given a chance to cash in big-time.
Despite being 1-for-his-last-24 with runners in scoring position, Soto was finally able to deliver with a big hit, as he crushed a two-strike splitter off the wall in right-center field and driving home a pair of runs (Starling Marte was thrown out at the plate on the play).
For Soto, it was not only a much-needed big hit for him but resembled a return to form as the outfielder reached base twice and hit four balls over 100 miles per hour in the win.
Down on the Farm 🌾
RHP Frankie Montas (High-A, rehab): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K
LF Luke Ritter (Triple-A): 2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI, BB
RHP Dom Hamel (No. 25 prospect, Triple-A): 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (win)
BOX SCORES
Single-A STL | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (31-21) vs. Dodgers (32-20)
Where: Citi Field — Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP Kodai Senga (4-3, 1.43 ERA) vs. RHP Landon Knack (2-1, 6.17 ERA)
When: 7:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: ESPN
David Peterson gave the Mets what they needed, exactly when they needed it ✍️
After playing in a marathon, rain-extended, extra-inning game on Friday night that lasted 13 innings and didn’t end until after 1:00 in the morning – a game that the club frustratingly lost, by the way – the Mets desperately needed length out of their starting pitching on Saturday night.
Friday night’s excruciating loss to the Dodgers completely eroded the club’s pitching staff – one that has already required the fifth-most innings pitched from any bullpen in the league this season. After a lengthy rain delay ended Griffin Canning’s outing in the third inning, New York was required to get 11.1 innings out of their bullpen with Max Kranick, José Buttó, José Castillo, Ryne Stanek, Genesis Cabrera, Edwin Díaz, Reed Garrett, and Huascar Brazobán all appearing in the game.
That meant that the club was going to require some serious yeoman's work out of David Peterson the following night. And in that moment where the Mets needed him the most, the blossoming left-hander delivered with perhaps the best start of his entire career.
It would have been hard for Peterson to be any better on Saturday night, as the lefty gave the Mets exactly what they needed by allowing just two runs over 7.2 innings pitched with seven strikeouts. The start also matched the longest of Peterson’s major league career.
Even more impressively? Peterson struck out the vaunted Shohei Ohtani all three times he faced him on the night, and commented after the game that the star slugger is “just another hitter.”
Not only was Peterson fantastic when the club really needed him to be last night, but as a fan, it has been really rewarding to see the former prospect really bud into a top-line starter for this team over the last year-plus under the David Stearns administration.
Over his last 31 starts, Peterson has pitched to a 2.88 ERA with 153 strikeouts compared to 67 walks over 178.1 innings pitched. Since May 29th of last season (when he returned from his offseason hip surgery), Peterson’s 2.88 ERA ranks as the 10th best amongst all major league starters in that time span. The Mets starter ranks ahead of pitchers such as Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta, and just barely trails Chris Sale – last season’s National League Cy Young Award winner.
It’s also worth noting how valuable Peterson was for the club during last year’s playoff run as he pitched incredibly effectively in a variety of different roles. The left-hander pitched to a 2.92 ERA in last year’s postseason over five appearances (one start), and even converted a save to clinch the club’s series victory in the first round vs. the Brewers.
At this point, Peterson’s performances over the last calendar year have been so impressive that you have to wonder if the team will take a serious look at rewarding him prior to hitting free agency. Theoretically, Peterson is the exact type of player that a team like the Mets should be looking to extend early while they’re able to do so, as the left-hander is still under team control through the end of next season.
With the organization not having many pitchers under contract long-term, and still looking to fortify the starting pitching that they have in-house, extending Peterson would make a hell of a lot of sense for this club. It’s likely that this is more of an offseason discussion for the 29-year-old, but it’s worth noting after a performance like the one he delivered last night.
When the team needed him the most, Peterson delivered the goods. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the organization to return the favor…
Around the League 🚩
Braves OF Ronald Acuña Jr. homered for the second consecutive day after coming off the injured list as Atlanta beat up the Padres, 7-1
Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman was placed on the injured list with a significant injury to his right quad
The Yankees blasted the Rockies in a 13-1 victory, thanks to a 10-run fifth inning
Glad you brought up the possibility of signing Peterson long term. The Braves have done it with so many of their good young players. Btw, Peterson didn't set the house afire for his first four years in the bigs. And he'll never lead the league in WHIP. Not everyone arrives on the scene like Paul Skenes. Plenty of commenters after NY Post articles said he was crap and should be traded for the proverbial "bag of balls". Same for Baty. Patience pays off.
Brett hopefully may have figured it out and become what he can be! Peterson right up there around the top tier of pitchers. Soto just be Soto, and all will fall into place!