The New York Mets Prepare for a Difficult Interleague Series

The Mets start a three game series with the Baltimore Orioles tonight.

Besides a couple of big names, the Orioles lineup does not necessarily jump out at you. But Baltimore finds a way to produce runs.

Gunnar Henderson is having an MVP caliber season. Henderson is on pace for an 8 WAR season. He has a .936 OPS and has hit 33 home runs.

Anthony Santander is making the most of his contract year. The impending free agent is having the best season of his career with a career high 36 home runs.

The Orioles lead the league in home runs and slugging percentage. Santander and Henderson are big factors, but the Orioles have six other players in double figures in home runs.

Colton Cowser is currently the favorite for American League Rookie of the year. Cowser is an extra base threat but he can be susceptible to the strikeout. August has not been great for Cowser. He has already stuck out 22 times.

The Mets will face a lot of the young Orioles for the first time. That includes former number one overall prospect, Jackson Holliday. The 20 year old is still very much a prospect, but he has shown why he deserves to be in the Majors. It will be worth watching the young player to see how he does in the Big Apple for the first time.

The Orioles are throwing Trevor Rogers. The Mets are familiar with the lefty. Rogers has had success against the Mets in the past. We will see if that can continue with his new team.

This is how Baltimore lines up behind Rogers:

1.) LF Austin Slater

2.) C Adley Rutschman

3.) SS Gunnar Henderson

4.) RF Anthony Santander

5.) 1B Ryan Mountcastle

6.) DH Eloy Jiménez

7.) CF Colton Cowser

8.) 3B Ramon Urías

9.) 2B Jackson Holliday

SP Trevor Rogers

Ryan O’ Hearn and Cedric Mullins both have an off day with a lefty on the mound. Instead, the Orioles are playing the position players they picked up at the trade deadline. Eloy Jiménez and Austin Slater are both starting. It is surprising to see Slater hit leadoff for a first place team but the veteran outfield has been incredible for the Orioles.

Slater had a .530 OPS in 51 games before signing with Baltimore. He has a 1.033 OPS since joining the Orioles. Jiménez has also had some Baltimore magic. His OPS is over .200 points higher than it was with the White Sox.

David Peterson is on the mound for the Mets today. Peterson has become one of the Mets’ most consistent pitchers. His walk issues make it hard to call him trustworthy but, even with a relatively high WHIP, Peterson has found a way to be very successful this year.

Peterson has yet to give up more than two runs in a start this August. He is coming off his best start of the year. Peterson pitched into the seventh inning and did not allow any earned runs. The left hander walked four guys, but it felt like whenever he needed to attack the strike zone, he did.

Peterson has gotten a little lucky with his matchups. His starts have lined up with the Mets playing a bad team. Today, though, he will have a real test.

Here is how the Mets lineup behind Peterson:

1.) SS Francisco Lindor

2.) 3B Mark Vientos

3.) DH J.D Martinez

4.) 1B Pete Alonso

5.) RF Starling Marte

6.) 2B Jose Iglesias

7.) C Francisco Alvarez

8.) LF Tyrone Taylor

9.) CF Harrison Bader

SP David Peterson

Starling Marte is getting thrown into the fire. Marte is starting back to back games, New York is not easing him back. Part of the reason he is starting is Nimmo’s shoulder injury. Fortunately, Nimmo’s MRI came back clean. He should be back in the lineup in the next couple days.

Jeff McNeil and Jesse Winker get an off day against the lefty. They will most likely feature in the next two games when a righty will be on the mound.

How to Watch

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