Salt Lake Bees @ Las Vegas 51s, 3:05pm EST
Matt Shoemaker (6-9, 4.61 ERA) vs. Jacob deGrom (0-0, 1.59 ERA)
deGrom is set to make his second start since being called up to Triple-A. He earned a no decision against Tucson on June 18th, going 5.2 innings, allowing one run and scattering eight hits on two walks and three strikeouts. After a rough stretch in Binghamton following a solid debut in April, deGrom was making progress with the B-Mets. He had a 2-5 record and 4.80 ERA at the time of his promotion, but Wally Backman needed starting pitchers in his clubhouse. With Zack Wheeler and Carlos Torres promoted, along with the trade of Collin McHugh, deGrom was their choice to make the jump.
Erie SeaWolves @ Binghamton Mets, 1:05pm EST
Matt Crouse (4-5, 4.01 ERA) vs. Erik Goeddel (6-2, 4.09 ERA)
Goeddel has the task of taking the mound today following a dramatic walk-off win last night at NYSEG Stadium. The product of UCLA didn’t get a decision on June 19th, but allowed one run on four hits in five innings pitched, while walking one and striking out six. It was actually Goeddel’s shortest outing since he allowed four runs on six hits in five innings pitched in a win against on May 10th. He’ll look to capitalize against the opposition on his home turf. This will be his sixth start in Binghamton this year, and opposing hitters are batting .206 off him at NYSEG.
Bradenton Mauraders @ St. Lucie Mets 4:00pm EST
Adrian Sampson (2-3, 5.56 ERA) vs. Matthew Bowman (4-0, 2.25 ERA)
Now that Noah Syndergaard is gone to Double-A, Bowman’s play will be able to stand out even more. He earned his fourth win of the season on June 17th against Charlotte, which was his first since May 26th. The right-hander allowed four hits in six shutout innings, walking one and striking out eight. He spent his first five starts with Savannah before getting promoted to St. Lucie, and all he’s done this year is win. Bowman is a combined 8-0 in 12 starts with a 2.41 ERA. He’s won all four decisions in Advanced-A in front of the home crowd, and he’ll look to continue that trend. In 26 innings pitched at Tradition Field, he’s allowed 19 hits and four walks, while striking out 30. That’s good for an opponent batting average of .202.
Savannah Sand Gnats @ Lexington Legends, 1:35pm EST
Luis Cessa (4-2, 3.24 ERA) vs. Crawford Simmons (0-1, 10.29 ERA)
Cessa takes the mound for the first time since the All-Star break, and is looking for his second consecutive win. Since he allowed six runs on 11 hits (both season-highs) against Augusta on May19th, Cessa has been magnificent. Over his last 27.1 innings pitched (four starts), the right-hander has allowed two runs, 22 hits, three walks, and 31 strikeouts. He won twice during that span, while picking up two no decisions. His current unbeaten streak goes back to May 6th, which covers six starts. June has by far been his best month, going 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA in three starts (20.2 innings pitched). He’ll try to combine with SAL All-Star Gabriel Ynoa to form a tough one-two punch in the Sand Gnats’ rotation.
Hudson Valley Renegades @ Brooklyn Cyclones, 5:00pm EST
Chris Kirsch (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Dario Alvarez (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
He signed as an amateur free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007, but Alvarez makes his Mets organizational debut tonight for the Cyclones, and will pitch in a regular season game for the first time since 2009. The last game action he saw was with the Phillies in the DSL, where he went 3-4 with a 2.59 ERA in 83.1 innings pitched (14 appearances, 13 starts). He is a southpaw pitcher, hailing from the Dominican Republic.
Kingsport Mets @ Bristol White Sox, 6:00pm EST
TBD vs. TBD
The K-Mets hit the road for the first time in 2013 to take on the White Sox in Bristol. At the time of this post publishing, the probable starting pitchers were not announced.
The GCL Mets are off today after two games in a row to start their season. They play the GCL Cardinals tomorrow.
I know Akeel Morris walks a lot of batters but Im surprised the Mets shoved him in the bullpen already. They knew he was raw and needed work harnessing his stuff…
But he has a promising arm he strikes out a lot of guys(swing & miss stuff) and he is still young just 4 months older than Brandon Nimmo…I cant understand giving up on him already by sticking him in the bullpen so early…its not like that Brooklyn pitching staff is loaded with guys in the 5-man rotation. He pitched 3.2 innings in relief the other day and struckout 7 and only walked 1…..hopefully they move him back into the rotation
Every relief appearance has been stellar. Just about every start was horrible with Kingsport. Leave him in the pen.
Whatever they decide to do with Morris I just pray they don’t play yoyo with him like they did Mejia. Choose either the pen or the rotation and groom him for that role.