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Skidding Mets Host Rematch with Braves After Being Swept in Atlanta
Just three days after being swept in Atlanta, the New York Mets will look to reverse their fortunes when they host the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a four-game series Monday night.
The Mets send right-hander Paul Blackburn (0-1, 6.92 ERA) to the mound against Braves rookie Spencer Schwellenbach (5-4, 3.26 ERA), hoping to snap an alarming slide that has dropped them from a share of first place in the NL East.
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Mets Offense Searching for Answers
New York’s 7-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday marked its eighth defeat in the last nine games. During the skid, the Mets have been outscored 62-28 and are hitting just .218 as a team.
In an effort to spark the lineup, the Mets optioned struggling young catcher Francisco Alvarez to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. The 23-year-old Alvarez was hitting just .236 with three home runs in 35 games since returning from injury.
“We’re going to need him,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But right now, we feel like it’s best for him to go down there and get reps.”
The Mets will hope Blackburn can provide some stability on the mound after taking the loss against Atlanta last Wednesday when he allowed four runs (three earned) in 3 2/3 innings.
Braves Rotation Shuffled After Sale Injury
The Braves, meanwhile, are dealing with a blow of their own. Ace left-hander Chris Sale (broken ribs) landed on the injured list after an awkward dive on a ground ball last week.
“It’s a tough blow,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He was throwing so well. That’s a rough one.”
Sale had been lined up to pitch in both series against the Mets but will now be replaced in the rotation, potentially by 20-year-old phenom Didier Fuentes, who debuted Friday.
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Schwellenbach will look to keep Atlanta rolling after throwing seven innings of four-run ball in a no-decision against the Mets last week. The rookie has been stellar against New York in his young career, posting a 2-0 record and 1.93 ERA over four starts.
The Braves dropped their finale Sunday in Miami but have still won four of six to stay within striking distance in the wild card race.
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With the Mets desperate to end their slide and the Braves trying to close the gap in the division and the wild card, this rematch series at Citi Field has all the makings of an intense mid-season showdown.
