Scott Will Face Serious Challenge Against Yankees Today

The New York Mets have been able to play the New York Yankees even so far in the second installment of the Subway Series, and they’d love to take the rubber game today at Yankee Stadium. This doesn’t matter a bit in the standings for the Mets, but they won the first round of the series back in May by the skin of their teeth, and the bragging rights that would come with a second series win. 

They’ll send Christian Scott to the mound to do it, but he’ll have his work cut out for him. He’s been struggling a bit lately as his innings count continues to grow, and he’s had trouble with both command and control. 

The Mets have taken to pulling him early to help Scott get a handle on this, and it’s worked to some extent. Scott’s last start was last Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, and he gave up two runs in 4-2/3 innings as the Mets got a 4-2 win over the Giants. 

Before that, though, walks were an issue. Scott walked five against the Houston Astros in his start before that, and four more before that against the Chicago White Sox. It’s not a coincidence that he’s gone a week between starts, given that he’s coming off surgery, and interim manager Andy Green will likely have a quick hook if Scott struggles early. 

His mound opponent will decrease his margin for error considerably. Cam Schlittler is a legitimate Cy Young Award candidate with a record of 13-6 to go with a 2.01 ERA  and a 0.92 WHIP, and he’s struck out 220 hitters in 178-2/3 innings. 

Moreover, the Yankees will be looking to Schlittler for a bounce-back start after Gerrit Cole got lit up for six home runs yesterday. The Yankees are trying to catch the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East, and they’re now four back with just 14 games left.  

The offensive star for the Mets so far in the series is Francisco Lindor, who’s trying to redeem himself after a poor season in the field and at the plate. Lindor had two homers yesterday, including a grand slam, and he’s now got a respectable 20 home runs for the season. 

Today’s game may also come with some weather issues early on. A major rainstorm is currently edging its way across New England, and the tail end of the storm extends down into New York, so a rain delay early is very possible.