Jacob Sisneros
2 min read • September 30, 2022
Posted in
Outfielder Starling Marte suffered a fractured right middle finger on Sept. 6 and his finger remains immobilized.
The Mets are reportedly still waiting for swelling to go down and he is still experiencing discomfort when throwing and swinging.
Manager Buck Showalter told reporters Marte remains without a timeline to return.
His ongoing finger problems do not bode well for his availability early in the playoffs, according to the Pro Baseball Docs. However, if the Mets advance to the Divisional Round, he may have a chance to return.
Marte is hitting .292 with 16 home runs, 63 RBIs and 18 stolen bases on 27 attempts.
Darin Ruf is also on the 10-day IL with a neck strain, retroactive to Tuesday. Ruf was acquired from the Giants in early August, but the neck strain may limit his availability in the Wild Card round or beyond.
To replace Ruf’s spot on the roster, the Mets called up their No. 1 overall prospect in Francisco Alvarez.
The Mets’ pitching staff is entirely intact, including Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. Despite both of those pitchers missing significant time this season, the Mets rank fifth in baseball in ERA. The Braves rank fourth this season.
The biggest absence for the Braves at the moment is rookie starter Spencer Strider, who is on the 15-day IL with an oblique strain.
The Pro Baseball Docs do not expect him back before the end of the regular season and he is not guaranteed to be 100% by a potential Wild Card matchup.
With the first-round bye up for grabs against the Mets, the extra rest could allow Strider to return in the divisional round. The rookie is 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA and 202 strikeouts, good enough for eighth in the league.
Star second baseman Ozzie Albies is also absent for Atlanta after suffering a broken pinkie two days after being activated off the 60-day IL. He is currently in a cast, but has a chance to return for a potential Wildcard Series.
Ronald Acuna Jr. has fared well in his first season back from an ACL tear. He is hitting .267 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs. He’s also played 87 games in right field, but has a defensive WAR of -0.6.
Adam Duvall was lost for the season in July, but Atlanta has the outfield depth to make up for his loss.
The Mets are favored by 1.5 runs tonight with deGrom on the mound and the over/under is 6.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
New York is -120 to win the series, while the Braves are at +102.
With the Braves trailing the Mets by a game in the standings, the Mets are -390 to win the NL East and the Braves are at +310.
Free pick: Mets F5 ML -135
With deGrom on the mound and the Braves without Albies, the Mets should be able to grab an early lead on the road.
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Written by Jacob Sisneros
