As of 9:00am EST today, here are today’s Mets minor league starting pitchers:
Las Vegas 51s @ Tucson Padres 10:05pm EST
Rafael Montero (0-2, 5.04 ERA) vs. Anthony Bass (2-1, 7.18 ERA)
Montero will try to get back on track tonight against Tucson, as he prepares to be the likely starter for the World in the MLB Futures Game at Citi Field in a couple weeks. The righty struggled again on July 1st against Fresno, allowing four runs on seven hits, two walks, and four strikeouts in five innings pitched. It was his first loss since he made a spot start on the road against the Iowa Cubs. To be successful, Montero needs to get a handle of his command; he’s walked seven hitters in his last 13 innings pitched.
Binghamton Mets @ New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 7:05pm EST
Noah Syndergaard (1-0, 2.45 ERA) vs. Ryan Tepera (6-5, 4.19 ERA)
Syndergaard has adjusted to life in Double-A well so far; he’s allowed three walks and struck out 16 in 11 innings pitched through two starts. He’s the probable starter for the USA in the MLB Futures Game in a couple weeks, and looks to continue his hot streak prior to showcasing his skills in front of Mets fans in Flushing. In 74.2 combined innings pitched (St. Lucie and Binghamton), Syndergaard has struck out 80 hitters, and has allowed 19 walks to go with a 3.01 ERA.
Fort Myers Miracle @ St. Lucie Mets, 6:30pm EST
TBD vs. Alex Panteliodis (2-3, 4.56 ERA)
Panteliodis turned in his worst start of the year on June 29th against Fort Myers, and he’ll get another crack at solving their lineup tonight. He lost his first game since June 4th, allowing eight runs on eight hits, two walks, and one strikeout in 3.2 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .284 off him in 10 starts this season. It’s been real noticeable of late; he’s allowed 32 hits in his last 21 innings pitched (four starts).
Savannah Sand Gnats @ Greeneville Drive, GM 1, 5:05pm EST
Steven Matz (2-4, 2.53 ERA) vs. TBD
Savannah Sand Gnats @ Greeneville Drive, GM 2, immediately after
Luis Cessa (4-2, 3.14 ERA) vs. TBD
Due to the Gnats and Drive getting rained out on Independence Day, they’ll play two today in Greeneville. Matz will take the mound looking for his first win since May 9th. He got the no decision on June 29th against Rome, but turned in a fantastic outing. The left-hander allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits, one walk, and five strikeouts in eight innings pitched. Opponents only hit .139 off him in four June starts (23.1 innings pitched).
Cessa will take the mound in Game 2, looking for his fifth win of the year. The right-hander last pitched against Rome on June 30th, earning the no decision. He allowed one run on seven hits (one homer), one walk, and three strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched. Cessa hasn’t lost since May 6th, since he allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings pitched against Hickory.
Brooklyn Cyclones @ Aberdeen Ironbirds, 7:05pm EST
Robert Gsellman (0-1, 0.00 ERA) vs. TBD
Gsellman is looking for his first win as a Cyclone this year, and is coming off his most complete start for Brooklyn since the NYPL scheduled kicked off a couple weeks ago. The right-hander went eight shutout innings, allowing four hits, no walks, and four strikeouts in the no decision. He’s allowed four runs this year, but none of them have been earned in 17 innings pitched. Through three levels (Brooklyn, Savannah, and St. Lucie), Gsellman has thrown 55 innings, posting a combined ERA of 2.45.
Kingsport Mets @ Johnson City Cardinals, 6:00pm EST
Chris Flexen (0-1, 5.63 ERA) vs. Jacob Booden (0-0, 1.13 ERA)
Tonight’s starter for Kingsport hasn’t been officially announced yet, but I’m going to take a guess with Flexen. He last pitched on June 30th against Elizabethton. He got hit with the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits (three homers), two walks, and three strikeouts in four innings pitched.
GCL Nationals @ GCL Mets, 10:00am EST
TBD vs. TBD
The starters for today’s tilt in Florida hasn’t been announced yet.