Steven Matz is one of the best young pitchers in the game, and a key part to the Mets core young pitching rotation. The only lefty on the staff, Matz was given the opportunity by Mets’ manager Terry Collins to pitch in game four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the same in the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. In his last start, Matz did not have his best stuff, and if the Mets want to get the World Series as fast as possible, he will have to pitch his heart out for the innings he is given. But what will that line be? Will it be a matter of innings pitched, pitches thrown, or batters faced? And when he does come out, who will take over out of the bullpen?
When facing the Dodgers in the last round of the playoffs, Matz had a final line of 5 innings pitched and gave up 3 earned runs on six hits while striking out 4 and walking 2. Not too bad for a rookie who started enough games to count on one hand during the regular season, but he did get the loss in the game (and yes…the win/loss record of a pitcher does matter). The Cubs, of course, are not the Dodgers, so Matz should have different results than his last time out. The only problem: the Cubs have a better offense than the Dodgers, and they hit lefties pretty well.
When Matz faces the Cubs tonight, I expect him to go about 4.2 innings with 63 pitches. He will allow 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 3 and walking 1. This is a good line for a pitcher of his skill for the most part, but he will be taken out most likely due to that third hit. As time goes on tomorrow night, Collins will have little tolerance for his pitchers, and when it comes to the fourth inning in what should probably be a tight game, he will have no choice but to take out Matz after allowing a base runner. Although it is not a win or go home game for the Mets, tomorrow night’s game is important being that Matt Harvey, who would probably pitch game five if needed, may not be 100% healthy after getting hit by a line drive back in game one.
After Matz is out, it comes down the bullpen: something that the Mets have struggled with recently. With Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia being the two best pitchers out of the pen, and Addison Reed not too far behind, the Mets will have a few innings they will need to be eaten up by the bullpen. Bartolo Colon and Jon Niese have been used in this series already, and it may be helpful if the Mets show new arms to a young offense. Therefore, Hansel Robles and Erik Goedell could pitch about an inning each, and then Collins could go to a Reed-Clippard-Familia combination.
If the Mets wish to sweep the Cubs tonight, it will be a far from easy task. The Cubs are a great team who will not go down without a fight, and will give it their all at the plate. They hit lefties well, and Matz will need to be able to keep his nerves in check in order to have a successful night.
Gilmartin replaced Goedell on the roster.
I expect a win tonight because the Mets will score some runs. TBS said the Mets are 70-12 when they score more than 4 runs. I don’t think TC is thinking of a quick hook if Matz is pitching as well as you described. I think they will score more than four runs and sweep. Colon or Niese may get an inning.
Let’s Go Mets !
It’s so nice to have an unstressful playoff game to watch. Looking forward to cheering on the Mets without rolaids.
>> When Matz faces the Cubs tonight, I expect him to go about 4.2 innings with 63 pitches. He will allow 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 3 and walking 1. <<
Okaaaaaay.
It is “Back to The Future Day”…. he may know something JP!
Matz can give the Mets 6 and we’ll take if from there…maybe Colon 2 and Reed can close it…why Reed ? Because Familia needs a day and also because I expect the Mets to score some runs tonight, so there will be some room. Hammel is no slouch, but he is nothing of the make of what the likes of Kershaw, Greinke, Lester, Arrieta are, and all those cats got beat, period.
Cespy will put one out, David may put one out, Murph is Murph and watch out for Travis. God knows, if Lucas wakes up, this will be a double digit run night.
Let’s Go Mets ! We are the “Goats” for the Cubs !
Those are some very specific numbers, Dan 🙂
I expect him to go somewhere around 5 innings, but hope he can go 6+. Would be great to see him be able to close out a sweep and head into the WS on a high note.
Young, inexperienced pitcher with immense talent versus a lineup littered with young, inexperienced hitters with immense talent. No telling how it’ll go.
prediction for game 5: mets 7 cubs 6.
matz: 6 innings 5 runs
colon: w 1-0 2 innings 1 run
familia: 1 inning o runs
as a 40+ yr mets fan, this 2015 team is as exciting to watch as was the 1986 mets. after several years of frustration, who woulda thunk we’d be up 3-0 in the NLCS!!!
Lets Go Mets!!!!! Woohoo!!!
The Mets are a very qualified team this year.The way this year was established as a very Deep machine.
I got the pitching line nearly exact! Congrats to the Mets!
yes you did. spot on prediction & great article,dan.
let’s go mets!!! world series baby!!!!