Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Brewers play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.
5 things to watch
The Mets' starting rotation has been a big issue
As bad as the Mets' weekend sweep at the hands of the Pirates was, two of the losses can be chalked up to poor starting pitching, as David Peterson and Frankie Montas got jumped early to make Friday and Sunday's games relatively non-competitive.
In the cases of Peterson (who has had two bad starts in a row after being tremendous before that) and Montas (who was great in his first start back from the IL), it's fair to expect they'll be fine going forward.
Peterson gets the start in the series finale on Thursday, which will follow starts by Clay Holmes (Tuesday) and Blade Tidwell (Wednesday).
Holmes was solid against the Braves last Wednesday, tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball while allowing three hits, walking four, and striking out two. His issues with bases on balls and his increased workload will continue to be something to watch, though.
As far as Tidwell, he was hit hard in relief against the Pirates on Friday, surrendering four runs in just 3.1 innings. That came after a decent showing against the Phillies on June 20, when he allowed two runs on four hits in 3.2 innings.
Can Mark Vientos shake off the rust?
Vientos returned on Friday but didn't provide much, going 1-for-13 while striking out five times.
That Vientos looked rusty shouldn't be a surprise, given the fact that his rehab assignment was relatively short and that he had gone nearly a month without an at-bat in a big league game.
But the Mets badly need Vientos to provide better at-bats, which would help lengthen a lineup that has been very inconsistent lately.
Vientos had been hitting relatively well in the six weeks before his injury, and he has the type of power bat that can make a serious impact if he finds his footing.
When are the reinforcements coming?
As the Mets hope for their rotation and offense to stabilize, help is on the way.
Sean Manaea, whose rehab was briefly paused due to a cortisone shot in his elbow after a loose body was discovered, is expected to make another rehab start this week. That could potentially be Manaea's final one before returning.
Then there's Kodai Senga, whose return could possibly come shortly after the All-Star break.
Senga recently said that he was nearing a rehab assignment. And once he gets in rehab games, it might not take long for him to return. Despite being out with a hamstring injury, Senga has continued throwing – and threw off the mound last week.
Another key cog the team could get back soon is Jesse Winker, who started a rehab assignment on Sunday with Triple-A Syracuse.
Jacob Misiorowski
Misiorowski, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, has been a force of nature since debuting on June 12.
In three starts, he has allowed just two runs on three hits while walking seven and striking out 19 in 16.0 innings.
The wiry right-hander features a fastball that regularly touches triple digits, and a devastating slider that he throws in the low-90s. He also mixes in a curve and changeup.
Misiorowski gets the start on Wednesday.
The Brewers have been hot
During a season that started with Milwaukee being a bit of an afterthought when it came to the playoffs, they're again right in the middle of things.
The Brewers have won eight of their last 10 games, trail the Cubs by just 2.0 games for first place in the NL Central, and are holding the second Wild Card spot.
A lot of that can be linked to Milwaukee's solid starting pitching, which includes Freddy Peralta, former Met Jose Quintana (who starts on Thursday) and now has Misiorowski.
Offensively, they're getting strong contributions from the usual suspects. That includes Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, Rhys Hoskins, Sal Frelick, and Brice Turang.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Francisco Lindor
Lindor is overdue for a breakout.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Clay Holmes
Holmes carries a 2.97 ERA and 1.24 WHIP into Tuesday's outing.
Which Brewers player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Rhys Hoskins
Hoskins seems to relish playing the villain in New York.
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