In the first game of this much anticipated three game series, the Mets shut out the team that eliminated them in the National League Wild Card round last season, 3-0.
Starting pitching matchup was a battle between two aces Yu Darvish and Max Scherzer, which was a rematch of Game 1 of the wild card round. Unlike that game, Scherzer prevailed this time today.
In his third start this season, Scherzer had his best outing, going five scoreless innings, and giving up only one hit. Big bounce back from his last start in Milwaukee when he gave up six runs, including four home runs.
Mets got on board early when Jeff McNeil hit a two run double off Darvish in the third inning. Then in the seventh inning, the Mets got a couple of breaks when they had two bunts that landed fair for singles. That led to three runs that inning, including Francisco Lindor’s two run double that made it 5-0.
With the win, the Mets beat Darvish for the first time. Darvish was 6-0 vs the Mets, including the win in Game 1 of last year’s wild card round.
The Mets will look to keep up their momentum tomorrow and David Peterson also looks to bounce back from his subpar start in Milwaukee last week.
Mets were 3-6 with a SF with runners in scoring position, which was nice after Sunday’s dismal results.
The bullpen certainly deserves a shout, with 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R and 8 Ks. Didn’t want to see them use Ottavino in the 9th with a 5-run lead but that’s a minor thing.
Facing lefty starters the next two days – time for Pham to shine!
Gotta love McNeil just going out to RF like he’s always played there. And Nimmo stealing his third base matching last year’s total. Peterson on the mound tomorrow against the same monster lineup. Can’t wait!
The Mets need to keep winning series. Last year the Mets hardly ever swept a series but they won most of them. The Braves are a good team and I am not expecting more than a 50/50 split of the head to head matches with them. Always a good start to win the first game.
Gut Reaction : The Mets won 5-0 and only allowed 2 hits but seemed like a struggle all night. Scherzer had 8 full counts, Curtiss walks two after retiring two and Smith was not sharp. McNeil had key hit but it was a two out hit and the rally died. They caught a break with the two hugging line hits that Lindor capitalize from. Again it was a two out hit and not a rally. Robertson was exceptional though. This game seemed a struggle to me.
I love McNeil in 3-hole and, of course, he delivered the key hit of the game. Important for him to be in the thick of things, where his hits won’t be wasted.
People focus on Escobar but to me, I wanted Baty at 3B last night and Escobar at 2B.
The pen will be very thin tonight. I agree with Brian’s comment re: using Ottavino in the 9th of a 5-0 game. I felt wrong but at the same time, sometimes you just have to win the game you are playing. He’ll be available for an inning tonight. Probably Robertson, too.
Curtiss is the guy who is such a key to the pen, but he’s going to need tender care in his first season back from TJ.
Great win.