The New York Mets were poised to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies, but a walk-off single by Right Fielder Nick Castellanos tied the series at 1. New York came out of the gates well this afternoon with a two-run home run by Third Baseman Mark Vientos and a solo shot by First Baseman Pete Alonso to give the Mets an early 3-0 lead. Philadelphia tied the game up thanks to a two-run home run by First Baseman Bryce Harper and a solo home run by Castellanos.
The lead continued to go back and forth until the game was tied at 6 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. That was when Nick Castellanos came to the plate and refused to let his team fall down 0-2 at home. He hit a single off New York Mets Relief Pitcher Tylor Megill to clinch a 7-6 victory. How will Game 3 in Flushing Meadows unfold?
New York Mets Hurt By Bullpen
The New York Mets offense was on top of this game today. They notched 11 hits but went an anemic 0-of-7 with RISP. The ballclub will head home with a sour taste in their mouth and left wondering if a timely hit or two would have made the difference. New York’s pitching staff was the main issue in Game 2. Starting Pitcher Luis Severino had a strong appearance. He surrendered three earned runs over six innings of work while punching out seven. His stellar outing was undone by a few bad pitches to Harper and Castellanos which led to a three-run bottom of the sixth inning.
Closer Edwin Diaz and Megill surrendered four earned runs over two innings of work. In a game that featured multiple lead changes in the later innings, the New York Mets were unable to overcome such a poor showing from two key relievers. New York’s bullpen has been problematic during the MLB Playoffs. They surrendered three runs in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series and two runs in Game 3. The New York Mets bullpen must hunker down for the team to reach its full potential.
Looking Ahead To Game 3
With the teams having a day off Monday, the series comes to New York for Game 3 on Tuesday evening. The Philadelphia Phillies will send Aaron Nola(14-8, 3.57 ERA) to the mound. He will be opposed by New York Mets Starting Pitcher Sean Manaea(12-6, 3.47 ERA). Nola had a stellar regular season as he was 12th in the league in wins and 13th in strikeouts. He faced New York twice this season and had one great start and one miserable start.
In Nola’s first start of the year against New York, he tossed a complete game shutout striking out eight. In his second start, he surrendered six earned runs over 4.1 innings. For the New York Mets to take a 2-1 series lead they need him to recreate his second start and not his first. Manaea also had a strong regular season as he was top 20 in the league in ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP. He had a strong start in Game 2 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He surrendered two earned runs over five innings.
Manaea faced the Phillies three times this season and had two great starts and one terrible one. He surrendered four earned runs in 13 innings in his two good starts and six earned runs in 3.2 innings in his lackluster start. The New York Mets need a solid start from the lefty on Tuesday to win. New York lost in heartbreaking fashion today but will have a day to recover, and the Citi Field faithful behind them, for a critical Game 3.
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