Mets vs. Cardinals Recap: First Half, Worst Half

The Mets’ first half ended in a way that feels very ‘first half, 2017 Mets,’ being shut out 6-0 at Busch Stadum in St. Louis. The Cardinals took two of three games from the Mets, dropping them to eight games under .500 and sending them into the All-Star Break having lost five of their last six.

Steven Matz started for the Mets, and had the shortest outing of the season, lasting only four and a third innings. In that time he gave up five earned runs, including solo home runs to Tommy Pham and certified new Met killer Paul DeJong. Matz struck out only one - as well as walked one - and easily looked the worst he has this season.

The Mets bats were absolutely silenced by Lance Lynn who, despite only striking out two, allowed only four baserunners during his seven innings. Rene Rivera, Michael Conforto, and Jay Bruce all singled against Lynn, and Lucas Duda drew the Mets’ lone walk. Bruce and Rivera were both erased on double plays. It was that kind of a day for the Mets.

After Matz departed, Erik Goeddel finished out the fifth inning, before Seth Lugo pitched the last three innings of the game. Lugo gave up a solo home run to Luke Voit, but otherwise pitched quite well, walking one and striking out three.

The Mets, aside from lone All-Star Michael Conforto, have off until Friday, when they welcome the Colorado Rockies to Citi Field. Jacob deGrom will start the second half for the Mets against Jon Gray.

SB Nation GameThreads

Amazin’ Avenue
Viva El Birdos

Box scores

ESPN
MLB

Win Probability Added

Fangraphs.com

What’s WPA?

Big winners: None
Big losers: Steven Matz, -21.2% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Michael Conforto singled to left field, +3.8% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Tommy Pham’s solo home run, -14.2% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: -23.2% WPA
Total batter WPA: -26.8% WPA
GWRBI!: Jedd Gyorko