The New York Mets aim for their third consecutive victory tonight at Citi Field, with right-hander Frankie Montas on the mound to face off against the Angels’ Kyle Hendricks. Montas, who has a record of 2-1 and a 5.03 ERA in four starts this season, has shown inconsistency. He pitched excellently in his first and most recent starts, allowing just one run across 10 innings, but struggled in the intervening games, giving up 10 runs over 9 2/3 innings.
The Mets demonstrated resilience in their last game, recovering from an early 4-0 deficit, with strong performances from their bullpen and a potent display of hitting, primarily from the lower order of the lineup, leading to seven runs. Edwin Díaz sealed the victory by striking out the side, providing a boost in momentum for tonight’s matchup.
On the opposing side, Kyle Hendricks, now with the Angels after a tenure in Chicago, holds a 4.88 ERA for the season. Recent performance has seen him struggle, allowing seven earned runs over just nine innings this July.
The Mets activated outfielder Starling Marte from the injured list, which adds depth to their batting order. Additionally, they’ve made several bullpen adjustments, calling up Justin Garza and Rico Garcia while also designating Chris Devenski for assignment, indicating an active approach towards optimizing their roster.
There are several key points to watch in tonight’s game: how the Mets manage their bullpen, especially with Montas likely needing support after a limited stay, and the performance of both Brett Baty and Francisco Lindor. Baty has been hot with the bat recently, capturing attention with his recent success, while Lindor has struggled but shows potential to break out of his slump soon.
With the adrenaline from their last game and the newly adjusted roster, the Mets have an opportunity to build on their recent performances and fight for a victory tonight. The determination displayed by the team can inspire hope among fans for a positive outcome.