The New York Mets face the New York Yankees with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Mets have a 46-53 record and with back-to-back losses, they have fallen into fourth place in the National League East Division. The Yankees have a 53-47 record and are in last place in the American League East Divison but are coming off a weekend sweep of a three-game set. For the upcoming game, the Mets will turn to Justin Verlander as their starting pitcher, who hopes to build off a start where he allowed only one run in eight innings while the Yankees will turn to Domingo German who has allowed eight runs in his last three starts.
The Mets are having a rough season and hope to improve ahead of the trade deadline or they might have to tear down the current roster. Justin Verlander has been one of the bright spots as he's allowed only 35 runs in 83 innings pitched while tossing 70 strikeouts. Moreover, with a .359 expected opponent Slugging Percentage, a 6.2 Barrel Percentage, and a 3.39 expected ERA, opponents are making weak contact off the bat and struggling to drive in runs against Verlander this year.
Verlander has stepped up on the mound but the lineup has let the Mets down, scoring only 4.42 runs per game with only 14 runs in the last four games. Tommy Pham is slashing .271/.355/.472 with 103 total bases while Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor have added 45 home runs and 328 total bases but the rest of the lineup has struggled. Only four batters have 10 home runs or more while only six active batters have 100 tot al bases or more and opposing pitchers can eliminate the top-heavy lineup as a result.