The New York Mets Look to End Their Tough Road Trip on a Positive Note

New York is in the midst of their worst hitting slump in the last three months. Their struggles were not made any easier by facing quality starters on back to back days in Seattle. They are yet to score a run in Seattle and have not really threatened in the first two games of the series.

They have another tough matchup tonight. Luis Castillo gets the ball for Seattle in the final game of the series. Castillo is coming off an excellent July where he pitched to an ERA under two in five starts.

Castillo has a very nice pitch mix. He throws an elite fastball and slider, and plays each pitch off the other brilliantly.

The Mets have to come up with a different approach from the one they used in game one and two if they hope to find any success against the Mariners star.

Here is how the Mets lineup against Castillo.

1.) SS Francisco Lindor

2.) LF Brandon Nimmo

3.) DH J.D. Martinez

4.) LF Jesse Winker

5.) 1B Pete Alonso

6.) 2F Jeff McNeil

7.) 3B Jose Iglesias

8.) RF Ben Gamel

9.) C Luis Torrens

SP Luis Severino

The Mets initially hoped to sacrifice their defense for potential offensive production in the outfield. Jesse Winker and Jeff McNeil were both in the outfield over Tyrone Taylor and Harrison Bader, however Mark Vientos was a late scratch. McNeil moves to the infield and Ben Gamel moves to right field.

Yesterday, both Taylor and Bader played and they did not produce much on offense.

It was surprising to see Bader on the bench. Bader has faced Castillo by far the most of any Met and he has found success against him. Bader is hitting .300 in 20 at bats against the right hander.

McNeil has done well in limited plate appearances against Castillo as well . He is 4-9 with a homerun and 1.333 against him.

Luis Severino is on the mound for the Mets today. He is having by far his worst stretch of the year recently. He has a 5.87 ERA in his last seven starts.

He has already thrown more innings in a season than he has since 2018. A good start would give the Mets organization a lot of confidence that he can be a key starter for them throughout the potential stretch run.

The Mariners bats have produced more than enough run support in the first two games of the series. They have jumped on the Mets starters early in both games, scoring multiple runs in the first or second inning in both games.

The Seattle fans will be very happy to see the return of their star today. Julio Rodriguez is back in the lineup today. Rodriguez has been out for 16 games, his return to the lineup will be much appreciated.

1.) CF Victor Robles

2.) LF Randy Arozarena

3.) C Cal Raleigh

4.) DH Julio Rodriguez

5.) 2B Jorge Polanco

6.) 1B Luke Raley

7.) 3B Josh Rojas

8.) RF Dominic Canzone

9.) SS Leo Rivas

How to Watch

The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 EST. Mets fans can watch the game on ESPN. You can listen to the game on WCBS 880 or WINS 92.3 FM HD2