The Phillies had a field day in the first inning against Steven Matz and Drew Gagnon as they put up a TEN spot in the first. The first out of the game didn’t come until the pitcher came up, as the first eight batters reached base via error, double, HBP, double, home run, walk, error, and home run. That was eight runs on the board and with zero outs, which would be the end of Matz’s night. His ERA went from 1.65 to 4.96 on the season without recording an out. Yikes. Enter Gagnon out of the ‘pen. After striking out the pitcher, he gave up a double, ground out, walk, and a double before finally bringing the first inning to a close. In total the Phillies scored 10 runs on six hits, two walks, one HBP, and two errors (both by Amed Rosario ). The Phillies actually only out-hit the Mets 13-10, but the final score was 14-3 and the Mets made four errors. The two standout performers for the Phillies were the 4-5 hitters in J.T. Realmuto and Scott Kingery. Realmuto finished 3-5 with a home run, two doubles, three runs scored, and five RBI. He was the top scoring player on both DraftKings (36.0) and FanDuel (51.1). As for Kingery, he finished the evening 3-4 with a home run, a double, two runs scored, and five RBI. He was the second highest scoring player on both DraftKings (32.0) and FanDuel (44.9). With the win the Phillies improved to 10-6, while the Mets fell to 10-7 with the loss.

 

Hitter Highlights

Paxton vs. Sale

If you only looked at the names, James Paxton vs. Chris Sale sounds like it would be a pitcher’s duel, but both guys entered yesterday game in a rut. Paxton came into the game with a 6.00 ERA across his first three starts, while Sale entered with a 9.00 ERA across his. They both lowered their ERA in yesterday’s game, but it was only Paxton who pitched well. He tossed eight shutout innings and only allowed two hits while striking out 12. This is the type of outing the Yankees need out of Paxton as he needs to step up and be the ace with Severino still out. His best innings were in the second and seventh when he struck out the side. As for Sale, he struggled once again, allowing four runs across five innings of work while striking out six. Sale’s velocity has been a hot topic this year and while it did tick back up a bit in this game (highest it’s been all season – consistently through 94+), he still got hit around for seven knocks and a home run. Not a good sign, especially when considering he was facing a depleted Yankees lineup that only featured four guys who are supposed to be in the lineup. The Yankees improved to 7-9 with the win and the Red Sox fell to 6-12, not exactly how everyone saw the American League going.

Strong Outings

Paxton provided the best outing of the day, but plenty of other pitchers had strong performances too:

  • Joe Musgrove fired seven strong innings against the Tigers in a no-decision. He gave up six hits and two runs while striking out six. They were the first two runs of the season that Musgrove has given up and now through 22.1 innings pitched he has given up just 13 hits while striking out 21 and sporting a 0.81 ERA.
  • Tyler Glasnow didn’t have his dominant stuff working, but he did get the job done in a win against the Orioles. He held Baltimore to seven hits and two runs across seven innings of work, but uncharacteristically only struck out three. It was his fourth win of the season and he currently has a shiny 1.13 ERA.
  • José Quintana was lights out for the second straight start, blanking the Marlins over seven innings of work. He allowed six hits, walked zero, and struck out seven in the win. He has now thrown 14 consecutive shutout innings after allowing eight runs in a start against the Brewers. Baseball is a funny game.  
  • Mike Minor tossed a complete game shutout in a win over the Angels. He allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out seven. He needed just 103 pitches. Since a rough Opening Day start, Minor has allowed just two earned runs over his last starts (23.0 innings) and now has a 2.60 ERA.
  • Jon Gray allowed just one run over seven strong innings of work. He gave up just three hits and struck out five in a win over the Padres. It was Gray’s first win of the year, despite it being his third quality start in four tries. He has a 3.42 ERA through his first 26.1 innings pitched.
  • Kenta Maeda delivered 6.2 innings of one-run ball in a win over the Reds. He gave up four hits and struck out five. Maeda has been pretty solid in three out of four starts this year and he now has three wins and a 3.80 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 23.2 innings.
  • Collin McHugh hurled six shutout innings in a win over Oakland. He surrendered just two against while striking out five. He was only at 89 pitches, so it is a bit surprising the Astros didn’t let him pitch the seventh, but nonetheless he now has three wins and a 1.96 ERA through four starts (23.0 innings).
  • Shane Bieber gave the Indians six quality innings in a win over the Mariners. He gave up just four hits and one run while striking out five. The righty has been great this year and is now 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA and has 22 strikeouts across his first 21.0 innings pitched.

What to Watch for Today

Walker Buehler looks to get back on track today in a start against the Reds. Buehler has gotten off to a horrendous start this year as he has given up 13 hits, five walks, and 11 runs across just 12.0 innings of work and has only struck out nine. Maybe Kershaw’s return will take some pressure off the kid.

Mets vs. Phillies, game three. Thus far the series is split 1-1 and there have been a total of 30 runs scored in the first two games. Is more offense on tap again tonight, or will Zack Wheeler and Jake Arrieta quiet the bats?

Matt Harvey pitches today, and lately that means an exciting show from the opposing offense. In his last two starts Harvey has given up 17 hits and 14 runs across just 8.1 innings of work. A once promising career was sadly turned into a mess through injuries.