Going into this afternoon’s game with the Blue Jays, the Mets had some reasons for optimism. Their newest player, the recently traded for Rich Hill, was starting the game for them. Hill, though not quite the pitcher he was half a decade ago, is still a very solid starter. The Mets, currently, have very few starting options, and so the prospect of having a real starting pitcher going for them puts them ahead of where they’ll be tomorrow and Tuesday.
The Mets were also facing Ross Stripling, owner of an ERA near five who is averaging less than five innings and five strikeouts per start over his last seven.