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Mets Look to Halt Slide in Opener vs. D-backs
The New York Mets are in a tough spot, especially with star player Pete Alonso’s status up in the air after a hand injury on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Jorge Lopez has been cut from the team following a dramatic ejection. As the Mets get ready to host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night for the start of a four-game series, they’re determined to turn things around.
Mets’ Recent Struggles and Key Events
The Mets are having a rough time, losing 15 of their last 19 games, including a 10-3 blowout against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The game was filled with drama, with Alonso getting injured and Lopez being ejected in a controversial moment.
Alonso, one of the Mets’ key power hitters, went down after getting hit on the hand while checking his swing. X-rays came back negative, but Alonso will need more tests to see how serious the injury is. Since his debut in 2019, Alonso has been remarkably tough, missing only 25 games.
Jorge Lopez’s Dramatic Exit
Jorge Lopez added to the chaos with his ejection in the eighth inning for arguing with third base umpire Ramon De Jesus. Post-ejection, Lopez untucked his jersey and threw his glove into the stands, which led to his release from the team. After the game, Lopez expressed no regrets, even though he admitted he might have looked like “the worst teammate” in baseball.
Pitching Matchup: Scott vs. Gallen
Rookie Christian Scott (0-2, 3.97 ERA) will be on the mound for the Mets, looking for his first major league win. Scott showed promise in his last game, allowing only two runs over six innings in an 8-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
Facing him will be Zac Gallen (5-4, 3.12 ERA) for the Diamondbacks. Gallen has been solid this season, though he took a loss in his last game against the Miami Marlins, giving up three runs over seven innings. Historically, Gallen has struggled against the Mets, holding a 0-2 record with a 3.77 ERA in six career starts.
Team Meetings and Statements
In response to their struggles, the Mets held a team meeting led by Brandon Nimmo, the longest-tenured player on the team. “It’s no secret that things aren’t going the way that we want around here,” Nimmo said. “So we just opened the floor and talked about ways we can turn it around.”
The Diamondbacks are also looking for a turnaround. They’ve fallen five games under .500 and have struggled with situational hitting, managing only seven runs in their last five games. “We continue to build the innings and then we can’t get that big two-out hit,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “Situational hitting, hitting deep in counts, getting that big two-out hit and being stubborn is part of this game. I know it’s challenging, but we can be better at it.”
Diamondbacks’ Season Challenges
Arizona, who made a Cinderella run to the World Series last year, is trying to find their footing this season. Their recent loss to the Texas Rangers capped a two-game rematch of last year’s World Series, and the Diamondbacks haven’t been at the .500 mark since April 16.
Game Context and Expectations
Both teams are desperate to turn things around, making this series opener between the Mets and Diamondbacks a pivotal game. The Mets hope Scott can deliver a strong performance, while the Diamondbacks will lean on Gallen’s experience to secure a win.
Looking Ahead
With both teams eager to break their losing streaks, the series opener is set to be a highly contested game. The Mets’ focus will be on bouncing back strong despite recent setbacks, while the Diamondbacks aim to improve their situational hitting and return to winning ways.
