Cardinals at Mets
It is only two games but the New York Mets appear to have their power pitching back on track as they aim to complete a season-opening home sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Two days after Noah Syndergaard fanned 10 hitters in Thursday's season opener, Jacob deGrom and three relievers combined for 12 punch outs in a 6-2 victory Saturday, giving New York pitchers 27 strikeouts through the season’s first 18 innings.
New York has not lacked for offensive production in the series, scoring 15 runs in two games as Yoenis Cespedes and Travis d’Arnaud slugged homers in Saturday’s triumph and Todd Frazier added three RBIs. It has been a miserable start offensively for the Cardinals, who are hitting .194 in the two defeats. One St. Louis hitter locked in is first baseman Jose Martinez, who is 5-for-8 in the series with a homer and three RBIs. But the Cardinals are 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position in the series, and their bullpen has surrendered six runs in seven innings.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), SNY (New York), ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (2017: 7-2, 3.88 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (2017: 2-7, 6.08)
After an impressive 2017 in which he compiled a 2.05 ERA before struggling in his final two starts, Weaver looks to solidify his spot in the St. Louis rotation. The 24-year-old allowed more than two earned runs just once in his first 11 appearances last season before surrendering 14 earned runs in his final two outings. Weaver was outstanding in spring training, holding opponents to a .113 batting average with a 0.67 WHIP, 19 strikeouts and one run allowed in 16 1/3 innings.
The Mets are hoping Matz can break through in 2018 after elbow issues and eventual surgery limited him to only 13 starts a season ago. His numbers this spring were not great – a 6.30 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP – but Matz only allowed four earned runs across his final 18 1/3 innings and, more importantly, reported no health issues. The 26-year-old lost in his only start against the Cardinals last season, giving up five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings on July 9.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets closer Jeurys Familia, who made seven saves in an injury-riddled 2017 after saving 51 games the previous season, earned his first save of the season Saturday with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.
2. New York 1B Adrian Gonzalez, who hit .242 in 71 games with the Dodgers last season, is 3-for-7 with two walks through two games.
3. St. Louis was busy roster-wise Saturday, disabling P Brett Cecil (left shoulder strain), promoting P Ryan Sherriff from Triple-A Memphis, officially signing new closer Greg Holland, transferring P Alex Reyes to the 60-day disabled list and trading P Josh Lucas to Oakland.