• The Mets were shutout by the Yankees on Sunday by a score of 2-0 (box)

• RHP Christian Scott started for the Mets and pitched well, allowing solo home runs to DH Ben Rice and C Austin Wells over six innings

• The Mets offense hit a buzzsaw in RHP Cam Schlittler, who allowed only one hit over six innings. The Yankee bullpen allowed only two hits over the game’s final three innings

• LHP Nate Lavender and RHP Austin Warren fired two hitless innings out of the Mets bullpen

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Plays of the Game ⭐️

Sunday’s game was seemingly put to bed early when DH Ben Rice hit a solo home run to the short porch in right field in the bottom of the first inning. That gave the Yankees a 1–0 lead, and the Mets didn’t have any response against RHP Cam Schlittler, who dazzled the Mets over six shutout innings.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest edition of the Just Mets Podcast, Andrew offers his insight on the Mets series loss to the Yankees and has a fun back-and-forth with Shawn (with a W) from Knicks Film School about Juan Soto.

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• C Hayden Senger (Triple-A): 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI

BOX SCORES

Double-A BNG (Canceled) | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (69-80) vs. Orioles (72-78)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: RHP Jonah Tong (2-1, 4.80 ERA) vs. RHP Brandon Young (9-4, 3.71 ERA)

When: 7:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

On the Mets growth, their Subway Series, and Andy Green (hopefully) staying on ✍️

What are you going to do, right?

Once the Mets lost the opener of this Subway Series on Friday night, it was going to be very, very difficult for them to win this series. And the reason for that is Cam Schlittler, who pitched like the Cy Young Award winner he is likely to become in 2026 against the Mets on Sunday. He simply dazzled the Mets and shut down a red-hot offense over six innings.

Yep, the game was over in the first inning when Ben Rice homered.

But honestly, this is one series loss for the Mets I actually don’t feel too bad about.

Sure, Friday night’s loss was annoying. Nolan McLean was overamped and simply didn’t pitch well, and the Mets, while they were able to keep themselves in the game offensively, just couldn’t keep up. But they crushed Gerrit Cole, Zac Thornton was nails on the mound, and Christian Scott was excellent on Sunday despite coming up on the short end of the game - he has been quietly outstanding in his first year back post-Tommy John Surgery, which bodes really well for next season for Scott specifically.

Sure, they couldn’t touch Schlittler, but not many have this season, and he has a 2 ERA to show for how good he has been this season. It happens, but the loss on Friday set the table for this series loss, for sure.

Aside from that, there was a lot of good to take away from this series, and I think it showed that with a few more plugs for their holes, the Mets might be able to be on the long end of Friday’s game and win this series.

Despite it all, and if you are one that cares about the outcomes of these Subway Series on an annual basis, the Mets and Yankees played to a 3-3 draw in 2026, have not lost a season’s Subway Series since 2017, and are 26-20 against the Yankees since 2018. And in most of those years, the Mets have tended to be the inferior team on paper, yet they have a winning record against them over the last ten seasons.

Over time, I have cared less and less about the Subway Series myself. To me, they’re just extra games on the schedule. I thought Friday’s game carried more significance than most of these Subway Series games simply because of the date and the outstanding ceremony the Yankees put on before the game in remembrance of September 11. I think the Mets and Yankees are otherwise always on different paths which just happen to cross 4–6 times per year. I think there’s a fun and energetic element for a lot of people to this, and I respect that very much and love hearing the banter back and forth among those who get into this. But I think the Subway Series had a different ring to it in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the Mets were getting good but the Yankees were legendary in real time and always just seemed to make that one big play or get that one big hit that was too much for the Mets or anyone to handle.

I was also younger and had more energy to devote to shutting my Yankee fan friends up when the Mets would occasionally sneak a win in here or there against the Jeter-era dynasty.

For the Mets specifically this year, I did view this as a good test for them and, generally speaking, they did ok. This past weekend further exposed their holes and their needs, but it was a playoff atmosphere at Yankee Stadium, and the young players in particular did generally well in that pressure cooker. Between Thornton’s money performance, AJ Ewing and Carson Benge continuing their ascent, and both Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto doing their things on Saturday specifically, I came away encouraged despite the team losing two out of three.

So now, we have reached the final homestand of the year. And it will include the return of Pete Alonso with the Orioles in town for three to start the week. Get ready for the questions and the tribute video tonight and all of the talk about how the Mets didn’t want him, Alonso bolting for the Orioles and having an Alonso-like year, and the Mets thinking a group of misfit toys was still actually better than anything Alonso would give them (and how bad they look for it).

But, it should be an emotional day for Alonso, the Mets, and the fans who attend the game at Citi Field. He cares very much for this organization; he didn’t really want to leave, but business is business, and the Mets are going to have to wear this one for a long time.

One day, the Mets will hold a Pete Alonso Day at Citi Field, a day in which he will become a member of their Hall of Fame and see his number retired among the many greats who have ever put on their uniform.

The Mets have a chance today of being officially eliminated from playoff contention whether they win or lose tonight (they’ve been eliminated from the NL East for a while, and their tragic number for the Wild Card is 1), but this was inevitable pretty much by the end of April nearly five months ago, as well as they’ve played since the All-Star Game. They also have a chance to act as a spoiler against the Orioles, who are hanging on by a thread in the Wild Card race despite being 72-78 and in last place in the American League East. Right now, it can easily be argued the Mets are the better team simply based on the way they’ve played in the second half, even with far less to play for with less than two weeks to go in the regular season.

I do think it’s generally important the Mets finish out their schedule strong. Outside of the Phillies, it’s not a terribly difficult stretch of games, and the Mets have handled a difficult second-half schedule really well to the tune of a 29-23 record since July 16. It’s a chance to keep a positive narrative going into the winter, a narrative in which Andy Green and the rest of the dugout staff have done an outstanding job in changing over the last three months or so.

Speaking of Green, I sincerely hope he decides to change his mind and throw his hat into the mix for the Mets managerial opening once the season ends. He has been a fantastic addition to the dugout; they’ve won despite a broken roster with him at the helm; he knows this organization; knows the young players who are here and are still coming; he fits the criteria to be a good, young, modern manager; and it just seems like he is doing the things the Mets need right now for this group to be successful and continue to improve.

I am not saying Green is the best manager in the game by any means. I don’t know if he is or not yet— he’s managed the Mets for three months. But the Mets have shown a lot of growth under his leadership in the dugout; he has been able to right the ship with a roster mixed with expensive stars and young up-and-comers; has been able to maximize even fractional players and protect most from their weaknesses when possible; and all of that is the mark of a good manager and someone this group needs for an extended period of time.

Sure, Alex Cora is a flashy name. So is Don Mattingly. But the Mets have brought in flashy names in the past to manage this team, and it always seems to end the same way. And why would someone like Cora or Mattingly want to manage the Mets anyway? Mattingly, if he wants, can just stay in a good situation in Philadelphia where he is already established, and Cora can basically choose the next place he wants to manage if he wants to manage at all next season as well. Sure, the Mets can throw money at anyone they want, and that can be the deciding factor for either of these guys, after which one would sign and say all of the right things about why the Mets were the best choice.

But I just think the Mets have a good thing going with Green and, if he chooses to stay, there really is nothing else for them to do but give him a two-year contract to be their next full-time manager.

Around the League 🚩

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run in Toronto this season in the Blue Jays 8-1 win over the Orioles

• The Marlins won their series against the Dodgers this weekend thanks to two runs in the eighth and four runs in the ninth to topple LA 6-4 in Miami

• The Rangers held off the Diamondbacks late rally to win 7-6, which helped them stay two games out of the final Wild Card spot

• Rafael Devers will not play again in 2026 after he suffered a core muscle injury (ESPN)

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• The Mets clobbered the Yankees on Saturday afternoon, taking Game 2 of the September Subway Series handily, 12-2 (box)

• LHP Zac Thornton was excellent in his Subway Series debut, allowing just two runs on five hits over seven strong innings; he issued four strikeouts (including one to Aaron Judge on a 95.5 mph heater) against just one walk, and gave up a homer to Cody Bellinger

• SS Francisco Lindor had a monster day, smashing two homers (leadoff, grand slam) and driving in five runs in his three-hit performance

• The Mets hit six homers, three of them off starter Gerrit Cole (who now owns a career 7.28 ERA against them); LF Juan Soto, RH Carson Benge, C Luis Torrens, and 1B Jared Young all cleared the fence

• Five Mets had multi-hit days, with Soto and Torrens each contributing a double alongside their homers

• RHP Tobias Myers was solid in relief, allowing two hits with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings

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Plays of the Game ⭐️

On July 10, 1999, the Yankees hit six home runs at Shea Stadium. Yesterday, the Mets finally returned the favor.

The homer parade started with Francisco Lindor’s leadoff homer. Luis Torrens followed in the second, and then Carson Benge in the third. After a four-inning break, the Mets got back into rhythm, with Juan Soto homering in the top of the seventh, Lindor again in the eighth, and finally Jared Young in the ninth to put the cherry on top of a particularly sweet sundae (…Saturday…?)

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• 2B Émilien Pitre (No. 10 prospect, Triple-A): 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, K

• RF MJ Melendez (Triple-A): 2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K

• 1B Billy Amick (Triple-A): 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, K

• RHP Bryce Conley (Double-A): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

BOX SCORES

Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (69-79) at Yankees (85-63)

Where: Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY

Starters: RHP Christian Scott (4-4, 3.81 ERA) vs. RHP Cam Schlittler (13-6, 2.01 ERA)

When: 1:35 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Zac Thornton has been the apple of Andy Green’s eye ✍️

With yesterday’s start against the crosstown rivals, Zac Thornton seems to have all only further solidified his case to play a big role in the Mets’ 2027 rotation.

Yesterday, the young lefty epitomized the model of efficiency that he established himself to be in the minors: a 75% strike rate (61/81), less than 12 pitches per inning (P/IP; MLB average is roughly 16 P/IP), steadily increasing velo thrown for strikes, and a 43% chase rate with eight whiffs. Talk about a quality start.

Thornton has been the apple of skipper Andy Green’s eye for quite a while, and he’s made good on that faith just about every time he’s taken the hill. Since his permanent call-up on July 12, Thornton’s worked a 3.38 ERA over 56.0 innings, standing 85% of acquired runners and walking just 12 of 225 total batters faced in that span.

Though his numbers aren’t the flashiest, Thornton offers quite a bit to like in a pitcher profile, and while there’s obviously room for improvement, there’s also ample reason to believe this guy is a true diamond in some already pretty refined rough.

Don’t let all that blue fool you: this is a plenty effective pitcher.

See all those pitch types Thornton employs? While his fastball and slider reign supreme by a long shot, he’s still managed to throw all seven shapes for multiple strikeouts apiece, despite a sub-20% overall K rate. He’s proven to be adept at filling up the zone with his entire repertoire, which has helped lead to some of the lowest walk and WHIP numbers of his professional career, regardless of talent level.

By Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), Thornton has been just about the same pitcher in MLB as he was in the minors. Over 62.2 minor-league innings in 2026, Thornton posted a 4.46 FIP; over 66.0 big-league innings, he’s got a 4.49. He’s striking out fewer guys, but walking vastly fewer as well; he’s allowing more homers, but also allowing fewer baserunners overall and leaving far more of them hanging on base whenever they do reach. Somehow, through it all, statistically, he’s remained largely neutral.

It’s very encouraging to see a young pitcher quickly adapt to the highest talent level in the sport; for it to have happened so quickly and for him to continue finding ways to contribute to wins is a serious testament to his makeup as a baseball player.

Now, there are some obvious sore spots in Thornton’s stat line that could get even more troublesome if not curbed early, chiefly in the batted-ball department.

While Thornton’s ERA on the season sits at 3.44, remember his FIP is a far less attractive 4.49. For the uninitiated, FIP uses only a pitcher’s strikeouts, walks, hit-by-pitches, and home runs — in other words, what they have direct control over, so no batted-ball results on balls hit into the field of play. Home runs are the heaviest influencer of FIP, and Thornton’s most glaring area for improvement is in the long ball.

Since he employs a style of pitching that naturally leads to a high number of batted-ball events (overall 82.5% contact rate in 2026), it’s not unreasonable to consider those events getting increasingly more damaging as the league adjusts to his stuff. Thornton’s current homer per fly ball (HR/FB) rate is the highest it’s been at any point in his young career; his 15.7% HR/FB is the ninth-highest in all of baseball. It’s not entirely surprising to see that number jump up for a rookie, but as he continues to boost his average fastball velo (vFA), he’ll need to learn exactly where and when to deploy it most effectively. His barrel rate on fastballs (15%) is very high, and that can quickly lead to trouble.

The chart above shows Thornton’s current fastball heatmap (L) alongside where he’s gotten his strikeouts with it so far this season (R). Unsurprisingly, when he’s working the corners and edges of the zone is when he finds the most success with his heater. Though you love to see the confidence of a guy ripping his best stuff down the middle — especially when he’s blowing it past Aaron Judge without a swing — it’s also easy enough to forecast how this pitch can become a problem if he doesn’t figure out how to use it most effectively as frequently as possible.

But for now, the current on-field results speak for themselves. With a sub-3.50 ERA through his first 13 major league starts, Thornton hasn’t just proved he’s an MLB-caliber pitcher — he looks increasingly like the type of stalwart rotation anchor the Mets needed to fill David Peterson’s since-departed shoes. He’s developing his repertoire alongside budding, sustained velocity while maintaining the MiLB baseline that got him to the bigs. There’s not much more you can ask of a rookie.

Thornton’s ceiling feels really high. In a way, the same can be said for this Mets team lately.

In a way, Thornton fully represents the Mets’ second-half turnaround and, at a minimum, appears to be filling a big hole in a big way the Mets once clearly needed to fill this coming winter.

Around the League 🚩

• Ronald Acuña Jr. went three-for-three with a homer in the Braves’ 12-2 win over the Phillies; he’s hitting .378 with four homers and a 1.184 OPS in 12 games against Philly this season (MLB.com)

• Rays lefty Ian Seymour racked up 10 strikeouts while allowing just two runs over six innings of work in a 3-2 win over the Astros

• Nationals youngsters CJ Abrams and James Wood became the 11th pair of teammates in MLB history to record 30 homers and 20 steals in the same season

• Red Sox southpaw Ranger Suarez tossed his second-straight gem, a seven-inning one-run performance against the Royals

• The Cubs moved ahead of the Phillies to claim the top NL Wild Card spot with a 4-3 win over the Pirates

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• The Mets lost 6-4 to the Yankees in the opening game of the Subway Series on an emotional night at Yankee Stadium as both teams came together on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 (box)

• RHP Nolan McLean allowed five earned runs on a career-high 10 hits over five innings, including a back-breaking three-run home run in the second

• RHP Jack Weisenburger provided three innings of relief out of the bullpen, giving up one earned run on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts

• The Mets struggled offensively all night and recorded just seven hits, while going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, leaving seven runners stranded on base

• CF A.J. Ewing was the lone bright spot, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a home run, while 2B Marcus Semien and 1B Christopher Morel drove in the Mets’ other two runs

• RF Carson Benge made another elite throw from the outfield, and now ranks tied-fourth with the most outfield assists all-time among Mets rookies with 10

Roster Moves 📰

• RHP Jack Weisenburger recalled from Triple-A Syracuse

• RHP Chris Devenski designated for assignment

Injury Updates 🏥

• INF Brett Baty (left knee pain) underwent an MRI and is expected to be fine. He was available off the bench on Friday night

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Play of the Game ⭐️

The turning point of this game arrived early.

Nolan McLean’s first Subway Series was a rough one right from the very get-go.

He got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but wasn’t so lucky in the second, giving up a three-run blast to Cody Bellinger.

It was the first home run allowed on a curveball in McLean’s career, and the Yankees would never give up the lead they took in the second inning.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

ICYMI: In the latest midweek edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich MacLeod reacts to the Mets sweep vs. the Marlins, likely ending Miami’s playoff hopes and delivering some much needed payback for 2007, 2008 and 2025...

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Down on the Farm 🌾

• RF MJ Melendez (Triple-A): 4-for-5, 3 R, 5 RBIs, 1 2B, 2 HR

• LF Jose Ramos (Triple-A): 2-for-4, 3 RBIs

• DH Marco Vargas (Double-A): 3-for-5, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB

• RF Eli Serrano III (No. 25 prospect, Double-A): 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 SB

BOX SCORES

Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (68-79) at Yankees (85-62)

Where: Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY

Starters: LHP Zac Thornton (3-5, 3.53 ERA) vs. RHP Gerrit Cole (8-8, 3.41 ERA)

When: 1:35 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY | MLB Network

Thoughts on Nolan McLean’s clunker and AJ Ewing’s recent ascent ✍️

Before we do anything else today, I just want to reflect on how special last night was in the Bronx.

Major League Baseball got it right by ensuring the Subway Series would take place on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and the Mets and the Yankees combined to unite New York once again.

It was an emotional night that both transcended sports, and also showcased the full power sports has to bring us together, even in the darkest moments of our lives.

Both teams got everything right in how they approached last night, and I am not ashamed in saying that I got emotional during the pre-game ceremony. Brielle Saracini and Sean McGuire, who both lost their dads on 9/11 and who later married after meeting at a camp for kids who lost parents that day, threw out the first pitches in what was one of the most emotional moments of the entire night.

Full credit to the Yankees for putting on just a beautiful ceremony.

Although there is now an entire generation not old enough to remember 9/11, we can never forget, nor allow others to forget, the horrific atrocities that took place on that day, the thousands of lives lost, and all the families and heroic first responders who still suffer to this day.

We can never, ever forget that awful, awful day, and both the Mets and the Yankees came together to honor and remember all those who were killed that day on a night that should make all New Yorkers proud.

Okay, there is no easy transition, but let’s talk some baseball.

It wasn’t a great night for Nolan McLean, who was generally ineffective in his Subway Series debut. The righty was hit around from the get-go, and his poor start was what ultimately doomed the Mets. The defining moment came in the second inning when McLean gave up a soul-crushing three-run homer to Cody Bellinger - the first home run McLean has surrendered on a curveball in his career.

Now, it wasn’t a great pitch, but sometimes you are going to lose the battle anyway, and that’s exactly what happened. I mean, Bellinger is hardly a scrub; he’s a great hitter, and he took full advantage of McLean’s pitch being slightly off with the short porch in right field.

It sucked that Bellinger’s home run proved to be the turning point, but I think there’s been a lot of overreaction in the wake of the game.

Yes, McLean was bad, and he didn’t attack the zone enough, but it is important to remember that the rookie did enter the game having allowed two earned runs or fewer in his previous five starts. Every pitcher is going to have an off day here and there.

Plus, while the atmosphere was cranked up for the 9/11 ceremony, the game itself mattered way more to the Yankees than it did to the Mets in terms of standings implications. While it would have been nice for McLean to rise to the occasion, I don’t think it is fair to now say that he doesn’t have what it takes to be a big-game pitcher or use last night’s clunker as an indictment on McLean’s status as a potential ace for this team.

I think it was just one bad night where McLean didn’t have his best stuff or the execution, and it doesn’t need to get made into any more than that.

Now, time for a quick word on A.J. Ewing.

The rookie outfielder provided the bulk of the Mets’ offense last night with a home run and an RBI single. He’s come out of his slump nicely and is now hitting .545/.560/.909 with two doubles, two homers, and nine RBIs over his last six games and .400/.444/.625/.1.069 over his last 11 games.

That’s some turnaround, and I think Ewing deserves a lot of praise for how he’s handled the first real test of his Major League career.

Now, I’m sure there will be some people who think praising a professional ballplayer for figuring out how to hit again is a bit much, but I disagree in this particular instance.

Ewing’s slump was so bad— he was 43-for-202 at one point— he could have easily made things worse by trying to do too much. He would then have no doubt entered the offseason having to deal with a lot of noise over his hitting ability.

Instead, Ewing stayed calm, stayed true to his game, made the right adjustments, and eventually came through it. Of course, it probably helped that there was nothing to play for, so the Mets had the luxury of being patient with Ewing.

Still, I think Ewing showed a lot of maturity and a lot of mental fortitude to hang in there before breaking out, which is an incredibly encouraging sign for the future, as is the production Ewing is currently enjoying at the plate.

Of course, the question going forward is whether or not Ewing is an everyday player for this team going forward. That remains to be seen in the coming months as far as how they decide to improve this lineup and where they can improve it specifically, but on this date at least, he appears to be growing, maturing, and getting better, and the Mets need to be able to lean more on their homegrown talent than the external markets for solutions going forward.

He probably deserves the benefit of more time to develop into the player they think he can be.

Around the League 🚩

• The Twins will be without OF Byron Buxton for the rest of the year, with Buxton undergoing right hip surgery (MLB.com)

• The Brewers clinched their eighth trip to the postseason in the last nine years thanks to a 20-0 win over the Reds

• The Rays also punched their playoff ticket, returning to the postseason after a two-year absence following a 3-1 win over the Astros

• C Drake Baldwin hit a walkoff double to lead the Braves to a come-from-behind 6-5 victory over the Phillies in extra-innings

• The Padres beat the Giants 7-5 for a fifth straight win and to tighten their grip on a Wild Card spot

• OF Kyle Tucker hit a grand slam and finished with five RBIs in the Dodgers’ 6-2 win over the Marlins

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• The Mets were off on Thursday - they will open the second chapter of the Subway Series against the Yankees in the Bronx tonight

• Phillies manager Don Mattingly has emerged as an intriguing option for the Mets’ managerial search (NY Post)

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The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest midweek edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich MacLeod reacts to the Mets sweep vs. the Marlins, likely ending Miami’s playoff hopes and delivering some much needed payback for 2007, 2008 and 2025...

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Links to Read 📖

• This season has been quite a disaster for David Stearns but does he owe the fans an apology? (Newsday)

• It’s the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the 2001 Mets shared their memories of playing in front of a grief-stricken city (Daily News)

• The Mets have taken “Never Forget” to heart by continuing to vist firehouses around the anniversary of September 11 (The Athletic)

• There is a Mets shirt tied to a 9/11 Memorial in Ireland that honors the firefighters who lost their lives that terrible day (MLB.com)

• The Yankees are October bound but the Mets are coming off a big sweep of the Marlins so who has the edge in the latest installment of the Subway Series (NY Post)

• The great Howie Rose’s time in the radio booth is coming to an end. Those who have shared the booth with him shared what they learned working with the voice of the Mets (The Athletic)

Down on the Farm 🌾

• RHP Jack Wenninger (No. 8 prospect, Triple-A): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

• LF Ryan Clifford (No. 15 prospect, Triple-A): 2-for-4, R, 2 2B, RBI, 2 K

• 2B Émilien Pitre (No. 10 prospect, Triple-A): 2-for-4, R, 2B, BB

• SS Mitch Voit (No. 4 prospect, Double-A): 2-for-5, R, RBI, SB, K

BOX SCORES

Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (68-78) vs. Yankees (84-62)

Where: Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY

Starters: RHP Nolan McLean (11-8, 3.06 ERA) vs. LHP Carlos Rodón (5-3, 3.09 ERA)

When: 7:05 PM EDT

Where to Watch: WPIX

25 years - Never Forget 🇺🇸

It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since that awful day on September 11, 2001.

For most of us, we can remember exactly where we were when it happened. I know for me, I could still walk you through my entire day and the images that forever left their imprint on my 14-year-old self.

Mike Piazza’s home run on September 21, 2001 left its own kind of memory. It gave New York a reason to smile, even for just a moment, after so much grief and heartbreak that felt unbearable. With that home run, the Mets are forever tied to the history of that day. But it wasn’t just Mike Piazza that helped New York heal.

In 2018, the Mets were presented with a sapling from the Survivor Tree. The Survivor Tree was a Callery pear tree on the site of the World Trade Center that was badly damaged in the attacks but survived and regrew. Saplings from the tree are sent around the world to others who have been affected by tragedy as a symbol of hope.

The Mets have their own symbol of hope due to the tireless efforts of Rusty Staub.

Staub first founded The N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund – now also known as Answer the Call – in 1985. After 9/11 the charity became all the more important to give back to the families of all of those who lost their lives in the line of duty that day. He helped raise millions of dollars and would host an annual picnic at both Shea Stadium and Citi Field for the families to come together and enjoy a ballgame. In the days following the attacks, he helped orchestrate efforts to help feed the rescue workers at Ground Zero as they searched for survivors.

Staub’s tireless efforts behind the scenes are perhaps not as flashy as Piazza’s memorable home run, but his impact and efforts are no less important.

As the Subway Series is about to begin, in a lost season for the Mets, it’s easy for emotions to take over. I have been guilty of it myself. But on this 25th anniversary of September 11 it’s also important to remember it is still a game and there are some things that are bigger than baseball. We can learn from the lessons from that time where baseball can be a tool used to find joy and a semblance of normalcy even in the darkest of times, or follow in the steps of Rusty Staub and use it as a way to build a community around to help others. Never Forget is not just a slogan. It is a calling to those who remember that day. Every year when the Mets take the field with first responder caps on, it is a part of remembering and honoring those who were lost. But there are also those still suffering, and we cannot forget about them either. We can follow the path of Rusty Staub and try to be of service to others as another way to make sure we never forget.

September 11 is a sad day, but it’s also a day where so many others showed the best of humanity, and that is what we should also remember. So be kind, do good, and never forget.

Around the League 🚩

• RHP Jacob deGrom had a very deGrom start where he allowed one hit in six innings and struck out 12 but earned a no decision in the Rangers 4-3 loss to the Mariners

• RHP Zack Wheeler gave the Phillies seven innings of one-run ball, but their offense was shutdown as they were edged by the Astros 2-1

• SS Anthony Volpe hit a grand slam in the Yankees 10-3 win over the Rockies

• The Brewers sent former Met prospect RHP Brandon Sproat to the minors after struggling in his latest appearance against the Cubs (ESPN)

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• The Mets swept the Marlins thanks to a truly wild 15-14 win in the finale in Miami on Wednesday night; they have now won eight of their last 11 (box)

• RHP Robert Stock got off to a solid start but ran into some trouble in the fourth, ultimately leaving after allowing three earned runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over four innings

• The bullpen was an unmitigated disaster with RHP Chris Devenski being charged with five earned runs to help blow an 8-0 lead, before three relievers combined to give up six runs in the later innings. RHP Tobias Myers did record the final two outs for the save

• Luckily, the offense saved the day. The bottom of the lineup really came through with CF A.J. Ewing, 1B Brett Baty, 1B Christopher Morel, and C Luis Torrens going a combined 10-for-14 with seven runs scored and 10 RBIs. Morel went 3-for-5 with a homer despite coming off the bench

• SS Francisco Lindor hit a three-run bomb as part of a six-run seventh inning, while DH Jared Young stayed hot by going 2-for-5 with a walk and three runs scored

• It is the first time the Mets have allowed 14 runs and still won a game, while they recorded two six-run innings for just the fifth time in franchise history

Injury Updates 🏥

• 1B Brett Baty left Wednesday’s game early in the second inning with left knee pain. He will be assessed properly on Thursday

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Play of the Game ⭐️

How are the heart rates after that one?

The Mets did their best to throw last night’s game away on multiple occasions, including in the ninth inning.

Therefore, what happened in the seventh inning would prove to be even more important in the overall tenor of the game.

Having blown an 8-0 lead, the Mets composed themselves by putting a rally together and plating a couple of runs. Francisco Lindor then came to the plate with one out and runners on the corners and put more daylight between the two teams by blasting a clutch three-run homer.

As it would turn out, the Mets would need every single last one of those seven runs in the seventh inning with Miami surging late to make it just a one-run ballgame.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest midweek edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich MacLeod reacts to the Mets sweep vs. the Marlins, likely ending Miami's playoff hopes and delivering some much needed payback for 2007, 2008 and 2025...

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• LHP Jonathan Santucci (No. 2 prospect, Triple-A): 5 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

• LF Ryan Clifford (No. 15 prospect, Triple-A): 1-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBIs, 1 HR

• 2B Jefferson Rojas (No. 1 prospect, Double-A): 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B

• LF Corey Collins (Double-A): 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBIs, 1 2B, 1 HR

BOX SCORES

Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

The Mets are off on Thursday and will open up the three-game Subway Series against the Yankees in the Bronx on Friday

There’s more reasons to be hopeful after a big night for the offense ✍️

On what was Opening Night in the NFL, it was fitting that the Mets and the Marlins combined for a football score following what was just a crazy game.

Yes, these Mets never make it easy, and they continue to be no good for our collective health. It also sums up this season that the Mets still won despite blowing an eight-run lead and nearly blowing another big lead in the ninth.

Sure, there is probably some concern over the bullpen right now with certain relievers coming back to earth. I’m not going to split the atom by saying that the bullpen is going to need a major overhaul in the offseason.

Still, even with wins not mattering at this point, the Mets still had a better night than Drake Maye and the Patriots (sorry, as a Jets fan, I had to get that dig in before my team embarrasses itself).

That was all down to the lineup that flashed plenty of encouraging signs in terms of looking ahead to 2027.

Francisco Lindor is looking more and more like himself offensively, and I’m very confident that he will have a big bounce-back year in 2027. This version of Bo Bichette is what the Mets were expecting all along, and I think it is clear now that the former Blue Jay just needed an adjustment period. If Bichette doesn’t opt out and can produce from the get-go in 2027, especially with runners on, then that adds a different dynamic to the top of the lineup.

Juan Soto is Juan Soto. Carson Benge looks like the real deal. And A.J. Ewing is coming out of his slump nicely and appears to be maturing with each passing day. The top of the lineup looks set, the outfield looks set, the left side of the infield could be set, and if everyone can stay healthy, then the Mets shouldn’t have many headaches offensively, at least at those positions, next year.

Furthermore, as we saw last night, I also really like the offensive depth the Mets have. In some cases, the depth has performed better than those at the top of the depth chart.

Luis Torrens is just a really reliable player, and I think it would behoove the Mets at this point to ride with him as the No. 1 catcher in 2027. Brett Baty is like the Godfather. Just when you thought you were out, he finds a way to pull you right back in. He’s hitting .375 over his last 15 games and is showing the offensive upside we all know is there. If I were the Mets, I’d announce early in the offseason that Baty will job-share with Marcus Semien at second base and hope that a fixed position leads to more consistency from Baty. That could be a reason to believe in Baty one more time and not cut bait with him this winter as he enters his arbitration years, as it’s been at least speculated that moving him around the field so much has negatively impacted his offense.

Jared Young has more than earned a spot on the 2027 roster and, if used in the right way, he could be a really valuable piece next year. And Christopher Morel flashed signs last night that he could be a useful option off the bench. However, Morel should never play first base again, and I think the Mets need to do better defensively than Young there too. Plus, I think what this offense is really missing is a legitimate masher in the middle of the lineup. This team had that in Pete Alonso - let’s not go there today - and while there isn’t another Alonso out there, I’d like the Mets to go and swing a big trade for a first baseman that can actually play the position and add some big-time pop. Who that could be I’m not sure right now, I’m sure we’ll get into that during the offseason, but adding an actual 1B is now becoming more and more important.

Overall, I think the core of a high-end, potent, and very productive lineup is already in place, and there’s some depth there too. There’s still flaws to iron out, but if the main players can stay healthy, then I have confidence the offense alone will be a lot better in 2027.

Around the League 🚩

• The Dodgers are placing DH Shohei Ohtani on the IL with left knee and right biceps injuries. As a result, LA is calling up No. 6 prospect OF Josue De Paula (MLB.com)

• Browns CB Denzel Ward joined the Cleveland Guardians as an investor, the team announced (MLB.com)

• SS George Lombard Jr. made history on Wednesday; becoming the youngest Yankee to hit a grand slam since the great Mickey Mantle in a 6-1 win over the Rockies

• 1B Kyle Schwarber finished with a home run and four RBIs to lift the Phillies to an 11-7 win over the Astros

• Padres CF Jackson Merrill launched a pair of homers and a triple with six RBIs in a 9-2 win over the Nationals

• The Brewers tightened their grip on the NL Central after blasting three home runs in a big 8-6 win over the Cubs

• The Orioles plated eight runs in just one inning to author a 9-5 comeback win over the Guardians in a huge win in the Wild Card chase

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• The Mets have taken two straight from the Marlins, holding on for a 7-5 win behind a three-homer day; they have won seven of their last 10 (box)

• SS Francisco Lindor homered on the first pitch of the game, with LF Juan Soto and 3B Brett Baty going deep in the second and third innings, respectively

• Soto had a big day at the plate, responsible for four of the Mets’ seven runs on a homer, a double, and a walk; Baty was also notably productive, driving in a pair of runs on a homer and a sac fly

• LHP Sean Manaea took a perfect game through five innings with four strikeouts, but the wheels fell off again in the sixth as he allowed four runs on five straight hits; he’s now allowed at least four runs in each of his last five starts

• The bullpen was strong behind Manaea, with RHP Jonathan Pintaro, LHP Nate Lavender, RHP Dedniel Núñez, and RHP Kodai Senga combining for a lone run over the final four frames; Senga allowed the run on back-to-back doubles, but finished off his seventh save strong with consecutive strikeouts

Injury Updates 🏥

• RHP Devin Williams (shoulder strain) threw a bullpen session yesterday; the team will assess and re-evaluate next steps today

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Play of the Game ⭐️

The Mets got to Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara early, socking three homers in the first three innings.

They were all impactful in their own right — Lindor’s on the game’s very first pitch, Baty’s in the third with two outs — but no homer proved more pivotal than Soto’s three-run shot in the second, which put the Mets up 5-0 early and helped establish enough of a lead for the team to grab onto and build upon.

Who’s Hot? 🥵

• Brett Baty is hitting .371/.425/.714 with 13 hits, two homers, six doubles, four runs scored, and 11 RBI over his last 15 games

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

ICYMI: Rich was joined by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi to preview the path ahead for the New York Mets in the David Stearns era.

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• 2B Émilien Pitre (Triple-A, No. 11 prospect): 2-for-3, R, BB, K

• 3B Vidal Brújan (Triple-A): 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, K, SB

• LF Jose Ramos (Triple-A): 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, SB

• DH Billy Amick (Triple-A): 2-for-4, HR, K

• SS Marco Vargas (Double-A): 2-for-5, R, RBI, 2 K, 2 SB

BOX SCORES

Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (67-78) vs. Marlins (72-74)

Where: loanDepot Park - Miami, FL

Starters: RHP Robert Stock (1-3, 5.81 ERA) vs. RHP Janson Junk (6-9, 4.00 ERA)

When: 6:40 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

This version of Sean Manaea might no longer be viable for a starting rotation ✍️

Yesterday, Sean Manaea took a perfect game through five innings. He then fizzled out, and promptly gave up five straight hits to kick off the sixth, ending his campaign for immortality before it ever truly got going.

Though Manaea’s currently mired in a particularly rough stretch — a 5.62 ERA over his last seven starts with eight homers and 26 runs allowed — he’d largely found his stride in the second half, settling into a long-coveted rotation spot and working to a 3.03 ERA over roughly 30 innings between June 13 and August 14. His fastball velocity returned, as he predicted, and a sustained, predictable workload seemed to help him settle into a reliable rhythm.

However, since August 15th, he’s hit a very specific wall. In four of his last five starts, Manaea hasn’t escaped the sixth inning without allowing at least three runs.

Look at how severe a performance dip we’re talking about here:

• Innings 1-5: 72.2 IP, 3.72 ERA, 23.1 K%–5.9 BB%, 1.20 WHIP, 75.7 LOB%, .291 BABIP, .324 wOBA, 4.00 FIP

• Innings 6-7: 27.2 IP, 8.13 ERA, 15.1 K%–10.1 BB%, 1.92 WHIP, 63.6 LOB%, .344 BABIP, .453 wOBA, 6.82 FIP

Clear innings discrepancy aside, it’s like he turns into a completely different pitcher the moment the sixth frame kicks off. And though it’s been especially noticeable lately, this has really been an issue all year. Take a look at the same split in just the first half:

• Innings 1-5: 42.2 IP, 4.22 ERA, 22.3 K%–4.5 BB%, 1.15 WHIP, 67.8 LOB%, .280 BABIP, 4.57 FIP

• Innings 6-7: 19.0 IP, 5.68 ERA, 20.4 K%–10.8 BB%, 1.68 WHIP, 61.3 LOB%, .344 BABIP, 3.67 FIP

Though Fielder Independent Pitching (FIP) suggests he was actually a bit better in those first-half innings than the surface numbers say, a near-11% walk rate speaks for itself. And even if there was some bad defense being played behind him, such significant discrepancies between WHIP and strand rate (LOB%) indicate that Manaea is more prone to balls in play in those later frames than he is early on; that .344 BABIP says as much, too.

But just how much more is Manaea getting hit later on in games? Let’s take a look at how he fares in successive turns through the order:

Ah. So he just keeps getting hit harder and harder with consistently higher-quality contact as guys get more looks at him. Not ideal.

To be clear, it isn’t exactly surprising to see a pitcher’s numbers jump up in later turns through opponent orders — obviously, the more looks guys get at your stuff, the more recognizable (and hittable) your pitch shapes are. But these trends are brighter than Rudolph’s very shiny nose: fewer strikes/Ks and elevated ball/BB rates suggest hitters know what to wait for and know what to spit on; that’s reinforced by jumps in homer, fly-ball, line drive, and hard-hit rates allowed the third time through.

Simply put, this is not the stuff of a steadfast Major League starter. And Manaea knows it:

The answer, to me, seems clear: it would appear that Manaea’s all-but-inevitable bullpen years are staring him directly in the face.

A now 10-year MLB veteran, Manaea will be in his age-35 season in 2027; there aren’t a ton of guys that age throwing full-time starter workloads these days. Manaea is one of just 16 pitchers age-34 or older in MLB this season to throw at least 120 innings — he did that over 29 appearances, with 15 starts. Manaea has thrown 43 innings as a reliever this season; there are 28 other relievers in MLB age-34 and older who have exceeded 40 innings this season, most of them with appearance numbers to match. With several high-potential lefties (Jonathan Santucci, Daviel Hurtado, Shane Sdao, Nicolas Carreno, Felipe De La Cruz) working their way through the system and an interesting starting pitcher free agent class beyond Tarik Skubal, the Mets find themselves in a very interesting roster position as they approach the final year of Manaea’s tenure with the team.

Though his numbers as a reliever look ‘meh’ this season in a vacuum (43.0 IP, 5.02 ERA, 1.44 WHIP), it’s important to remember those innings were logged in the first half as he was “ramping up,” so to speak. His career numbers in relief admittedly aren’t drastically different, but the last time he posted full-time bullpen hours in 2023, he posted a 4.18 ERA with a 3.49 FIP and a 1.17 WHIP over 71 innings of work. Not shutdown closer stuff, certainly, but he’s demonstrated time and time again that he can be plenty serviceable for an inning or two.

Why not make that the new permanent formula?

Though he’s been floundering recently, Manaea still has stuff to bring to the table (semi-literally; his Stuff+ grade sits at 103, the fourth-highest mark of his career). Despite a slow start to the season (literally), he did manage to bring his average fastball velo back up to a previously established career baseline, and though the results have left much to be desired as of late, he’s been eating valuable innings for this team in the second half, averaging more than five frames per start since June 1st.

Though he may not have the stuff to sustain a starter’s workload over the course of a full season anymore, that level of veteran stability on a staff is invaluable and provides a significant level of flexibility, particularly later in the season — be it for the Mets or for someone else.

Sean Manaea’s time in Queens has been fraught, framed by some extreme highs and some equally frustrating lows. But what’s never been in question is the value he brings in the clubhouse as a leader and mentor, particularly to the Mets’ shiny young psycho core. That alone is worth millions of dollars, even if his negative bWAR value is not.

Manaea’s role on this team was inevitably going to change as Mets brass continues to lean into the new era and starts increasingly looking towards younger options to start filling gaps and getting chances on the field in Queens. The Mets’ bullpen doesn’t exactly have a ton of room right now, but it’s woefully low on lefty talent…you have to imagine they’d love to get an extra 50 innings from the left side of the rubber while also affording some room for rookie debuts and spot starts next year.

Manaea is the exact candidate to foot that bill. And it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone, even him, should such an arrangement be requested of him next spring.

Around the League 🚩

• The Brewers won their 90th game of the season in thrilling fashion thanks to a last-out, ninth-inning rally sparked by a Christian Yelich single that led to a game-tying homer from Junior Caminero; rookie Luis Lara walked it off with a single in the 10th as the Brewers edged the Cubs 4-3

• Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto hit his 30th homer of the year in a 4-2 Toronto win over the A’s; he is tied with Munetaka Murakami for the most homers among AL rookies, and only Sal Stewart has more rookie homers in all of MLB

• Yankees ace Cam Schlittler allowed just one run on three hits over seven innings, notching 10 strikeouts with no walks; it’s his 20th start this season in which he’s allowed one or fewer runs while Aaron Judge made his long-awaited return from injury, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and six innings in the field - the Yankees beat the Rockies 5-3

• RHP Corbin Burnes allowed two hits and two walks over three innings in his return from Tommy John surgery, but didn’t allow any runs - the D’Backs ended up beating the Royals 5-3

• Astros center fielder Daulton Varsho had three hits, including a double and a homer, in a 6-5 win over the Phillies

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• The Mets took the opener of their series with the Marlins down in south Florida by the score of 9-4 (box)

• RHP Jonah Tong was recalled from the minors to make his first MLB start of 2026 and was okay, striking out seven in four innings while allowing four earned runs on four hits and a walk

• Righties Dedniel Nunez, Chris Devenski, Daniel Duarte, and Austin Warren each threw a scoreless inning in relief

• A.J. Ewing had three hits and drove in three runs

• Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien, and Nick Morabito all had multi-hit games

Roster Moves 📰

• Recalled RHP Jonah Tong from Triple-A Syracuse

• Optioned RHP Justin Hagenman to Triple-A Syracuse

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Play of the Game ⭐️

The beginning of this game was extremely back and forth, as after scoring three runs in the first two innings, the Mets allowed a four-spot in the bottom of the 2nd, before tying the game with a run in the 3rd.

Heading to the 4th locked in a 4-4 tie, Bo Bichette delivered a run-scoring hit to regain the lead, but the biggest play of this game came later in the inning. With two on and two outs, A.J. Ewing slashed a double down the left field line to plate two more runs and give the Mets breathing room that they would never relinquish.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest edition of the Just Mets Podcast, Rich is joined by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi to discuss how the club is going to fix this two-year long mess David Stearns has created for the major league club.

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Down on the Farm 🌾

Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn have both concluded their seasons

Both Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse were off on Monday

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (66-78) vs. Marlins (72-72)

Where: loanDepot Park - Miami, FL

Starters: LHP Sean Manaea (4-7, 4.70 ERA) vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara (13-9, 3.54 ERA)

When: 6:40 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

What to make of Jonah Tong’s return, and mapping a successful path forward ✍️

Young righty Jonah Tong’s ascension to the top part of the Mets prospect rankings has been well documented over the last couple of seasons.

The 23-year-old has tremendous stuff and an incredibly high ceiling, but as we well know, he was rushed to the Majors last summer, and the majority of his 2026 campaign has not gone to plan.

Tong got off to a difficult start in Syracuse this season, and while he got back on track and pitched well for most of the last two months, even a cursory glance at his numbers exposes his two glaring bugaboos.

In 23 Triple-A starts, Tong worked to a 4.54 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP. He held opponents to a .222 batting average against and struck out 126 hitters in 107 innings, but it’s what else happened in those 107 frames that really jumps off the page.

Tong walked 59 hitters—an exorbitant 4.96/9 ratio. He also allowed an eye-opening 22 long balls. Tong’s stuff is difficult to hit consistently—he surrendered only 88 knocks in those 107 innings. But when you’re giving away too many free passes and then when you do get hit, it leaves the ballpark, it’s easy to see how you could give up some runs in a hurry.

The Mets feel good about their young crop of starting pitching as all of Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Zac Thornton look like legitimate rotation building blocks. They would love nothing more than for Tong to join that group as a centerpiece of the future, but for that to happen, he’s going to have to develop significantly more consistency.

New York promoted the youngster to make his first big league start yesterday, and the outing had literally everything you could’ve expected.

Tong came out firing, striking out the first four hitters he faced.

But immediately afterwards, the outing hit a significant speed bump. The following four hitters resulted in a groundball single, a well-struck triple, a walk, and a three-run bomb.

But then, Tong allowed just two more baserunners over his final three innings. He pitched to 21 hitters, and for essentially 17 of them, he was dominant. That four-hitter stretch in the 2nd inning, though, dramatically diminishes the enthusiasm coming out of the outing. And just further highlights the issues he runs into with both free passes and big flies.

A deeper dive into his metrics unearths another blatant need for improvement. A reliable third pitch.

In the big leagues this season, Tong’s fastball and changeup have both been effective. His secondary pitches, like his curveball and cutter, have not been, and that’s putting it lightly.

To be fair to Tong, the talk surrounding Tong over the course of the season has been the development of those secondary pitches, specifically the curveball, but he didn’t use those pitches very much on Monday for some reason. Was it that he isn’t confident in those pitches here? Was it that Francisco Álvarez just didn’t call enough of them? Maybe it was a combination of the two? None of those answers are really clear, but Mets interim manager Andy Green was generally pleased with Tong’s first start back in the big leagues despite the final line. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense that Tong would invest so much time and energy in the minors working on those third and fourth pitches and come back here and revert to being mostly a two-pitch pitcher.

For context, Tong used his curveball nearly 14 percent of the time at Triple-A this year. On Monday, he used it eight percent of the time.

To be fair, and generally speaking, outside of that one big mistake he made to Graham Pauley in the second inning on Monday, Tong did pitch well over five innings but, again, he will have to begin to incorporate those other pitches here with more frequency and consistency if he’s going to enjoy any sort of regular success, especially when he faces more formidable lineups over the course of the month.

With just six starts at the sport’s highest level under his belt, it’s far too early to make any determinations about Tong or his future quite yet. But I do feel like the rest of this month are important for him and his place in the 2027 rotation, as it offers him a significant opportunity to align himself in a more advantageous position in the view of the team’s front office heading into the winter.

Around the League 🚩

• Jesus Luzardo fired a complete game two hit shutout to deliver the Phillies a 1-0 home victory over Atlanta

• Adley Rutschman crushed a three run homer in Boston’s 5-2 win over the Angels

• Coby Mayo homered twice to power the O’s to a 6-4 victory over the Guardians

• Mason Miller struck out two more hitters in scoreless 9th to secure his 34th save in the Padres 3-2 home win against Washington

• Riley Greene had three hits including a homer in Detroit’s 5-4 win over the Twins

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Happy Labor Day, Mets fans! ☀️

What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️

• The Mets came from behind to beat the Giants 4-2 at Citi Field on Sunday (box)

• INF Brett Baty contributed a pinch hit, opposite field solo home run to get the Mets on the board to start the eighth inning, and 3B Bo Bichette hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the eighth inning after AJ Ewing singled and the Giants opted to walk Juan Soto

• RHP Christian Scott started for the Mets and gave them 4.2 solid innings with seven strikeouts, no walks, and two earned runs on his ledger

• The Mets bullpen was spotless once again as Nate Lavender, Tobias Myers, Jonathan Pintaro and Kodai Senga combined to allow one hit over 4.1 IP

Roster Moves 📰

• Recalled RHP Tobias Myers from Triple-A Syracuse

• Optioned LHP Jefry Yan to Triple-A Syracuse

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Play of the Game ⭐️

Bo knows clutch!

His three-run home run in the eighth inning completed the comeback for the Mets on Sunday.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest edition of the Just Mets Podcast, Rich is joined by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi to discuss how the club is going to fix this two-year long mess David Stearns has created for the major league club.

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Down on the Farm 🌾

• OF D’Andre Smith (Triple-A): 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI

• RHP Gary Gill Hill (no. 17 prospect, Triple-A): 5 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

• INF Jefferson Rojas (No. 1 prospect, Double-A): 4-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R

• OF Aidan Smith (no. 16 prospect, High-A): 3-for-5, 2 RBI, R

• INF Dylan Carey (Low-A): 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (65-78) vs. Marlins (72-72)

Where: loanDepot Park - Miami, FL

Starters: RHP Jonah Tong (1-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. RHP Eury Pérez (7-10, 3.72 ERA)

When: 1:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Thoughts on both the encouraging and concerning signs from the second half ✍️

The Mets really put together an excellent win on Sunday, and something we seem to have rarely seen from this club over the last couple of years in that they came from behind in their last at-bat and won a game.

Generally speaking, it’s hard not to see some encouraging signs from the Mets in the second half of this season, and Sunday’s win - and really this series win - encapsulated much of that encouragement. I am not going to pretend there aren’t major problems for this front office to solve over the next five months before Spring Training begins, assuming a lockout doesn’t interfere with all of that.

But, the Mets are 25-21 since the All-Star Game, despite trading away so many pieces and dealing with absences and underperformances from so many key players. That’s good and better than I expected them to be, but obviously nowhere close to what they needed to do to give themselves a prayer at a playoff drive.

Despite Zac Thornton’s clunker on Saturday, most of the primary pieces for a contending rotation appear to be in place between him, Nolan McLean, and Christian Scott. They still need top-of-the-rotation help, and I am going to talk about Tarik Skubal being that answer until he signs with someone else over the winter. But, I can’t help but dream about those three behind Skubal for the long term, assuming they can all stay healthy at the same time.

I am rooting for Jonah Tong to be a part of their solution as well, and his test for 2027 begins this afternoon in Miami against a Marlin team which has faded, but is still contending for a Wild Card spot this season. So, it will be a good test for him to pitch in a meaningful game today and then again on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, assuming they don’t give anyone else any extra rest this week. He has been lights out at Triple-A over the last month in a year which has been inconsistent at best for him down there, but he earned this start and I am looking forward to seeing how he fares over the next three weeks here.

Then of course there’s the bullpen, where the Mets have found something in Nate Lavender and Daniel Duarte specifically, with Jonathan Pintaro and Dedniel Núñez also factoring themselves in for 2027 as well. I am not sure what to make of Kodai Senga yet, and I am not sure I will be able to see how he fits even if he records every single save chance the rest of the way.

Perhaps it’s three full years of injury and underperformance hindering my ability to trust he can put together a large sample size of success in a short-relief role - I don’t know.

One thing I do know is Senga is enjoying success as a two-pitch pitcher in this role, and while I don’t truly believe he is viable for a full season as a closer, he has certainly resurrected his major league career in a very short span of time, thanks to his success as this team’s closer, albeit in a very, very low leverage environment right now.

No matter what, even if Devin Williams is healthy and Senga is on this team next season, I believe the Mets should absolutely try and find a closer and bump them back into setup roles. That isn’t meant to diminish what Senga or anyone else in their bullpen has done by any means - they just need to be able to better close the gap between their starters and the ninth inning, and they need a rock-solid closer in order to do that.

Then of course there are the rookie outfielders in Carson Benge and AJ Ewing, both of which are in the top 10 in the National League in fWAR among rookies. They’ve had their ups and downs, and Ewing specifically has been mired in a prolonged slump in the second half (he has woken up over the last couple of days), but they’re both solid defensively and offer as much optimism for this team as anyone on the active roster right now.

The biggest problems - right now anyway - they have in front of them are what’s behind their pitchers, and what’s in front of them. And some of those problems might not be going away this winter.

First and foremost, while I love what Jared Young has done for the Mets this year, they need an actual first baseman. I am not going to get into the Pete Alonso thing for the thousandth time - we all know he has played every day and is having a typical Pete Alonso season in Baltimore. Yep, it was a mistake to let him go, and the whole thing has blown up in their face. The only remedy to this problem is finding a true first baseman, period. End of story. Even though there are no obvious solutions for this, it’s one of their easiest problems to solve since it’s just a matter of finding a trade.

They can also simply non-tender Mark Vientos and/or Brett Baty if they choose which, considering both are entering their arbitration years, might be a wise thing to do.

But, how do the Mets mitigate a fading Marcus Semien? They have him locked in for two more years, have been a net negative on both sides of the ball this year, and will be 36 on Opening Day next year.

There’s also the newfound questions surrounding Francisco Lindor and his defense specifically, the unmentionable Jorge Polanco and the one year that’s left on his contract, and whether or not the Mets can get Francisco Álvarez on a positive trajectory with his development.

Where can they install a true power component to help protect Soto and lengthen this lineup, especially in the middle? If they’re not ready to commit to AJ Ewing full-time, which doesn’t appear to be the case right now, they could try and find a power-hitting center fielder in a trade. And of course, that power component could come from first base if they find an answer there, but given how stuck they are with some of these players on the roster, there really isn’t an easy answer here. At least, not today.

The funny thing about Álvarez is, despite his perplexing slump over the last month or so, he is still putting up above-league-average offense at his position. But he’s hit just 37 home runs over his last three seasons, and he gets into these kinds of non-competitive ruts once per year, which, when combined with his often unplayable defense, makes it hard for them to consider giving him meaningful at-bats when the time comes again for this team. Yes, he’s still young, but so are Baty and Vientos, and we are still waiting for them to figure it out at this level too.

If I were to guess, the Mets aren’t going to do anything for at least a year behind the plate, meaning Álvarez is going to get every chance to be the everyday catcher again in 2027. It’s perhaps the hardest problem to solve on the external markets, even in good free-agent classes, and the Mets have to fill so many other holes on this roster, making this one almost microscopic in comparison to those.

Then of course there’s Bo Bichette.

All signs would suggest he isn’t going to opt out. He has been great since mid-May, but he was so bad for the first two months of the season that he has been league average overall. Yes, he has a chance to finish with above-league-average marks with a strong final three weeks of the season, but he isn’t making just above-league-average money right now, so it’s hard for me to see him be able to match the coin he would be giving up if he decided to become a free agent again.

The one thing he would have working in his favor is he would be among the best free agents available. And he has demonstrated versatility with this successful move to third base while also filling in at shortstop over the course of the year. But can he get the long-term deal he is looking for after such a bipolar year? That’s a really tough call.

If he stays, I would have zero concerns for him going into his second year in New York. If he goes, that’s two holes they have to fill on the infield, and that doesn’t include the issue with Semien.

We are going to have plenty of time to analyze and speculate on all of this in the coming months this fall. One thing is for sure - David Stearns has his work cut out for him if he is going to right all of the wrongs from the last two years.

Around the League 🚩

• The Braves rallied for four runs in the eighth and ninth innings to steal a game from the Phillies with a 5-4 win

• The Padres hit three straight home runs to start their game against Gerrit Cole as they beat the Yankees 4-3

• Pete Crow-Armstrong padded his MVP case with his 40th home run, but the Marlins trounced the Cubs 10-3

• Elly De La Cruz hit two home runs in the Reds 12-8 win over the Brewers

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• The Mets found themselves on the other end of a home run derby, falling to the Giants behind six San Francisco dingers, 9-5 (box)

• LHP Zac Thornton got rocked, allowing six runs on seven hits in his five innings, including four homers; the top of the lineup flopped too, as SS Francisco Lindor, LF Juan Soto, DH Bo Bichette, and RF Carson Benge all went hitless

• 1B Jared Young, meanwhile, continued his recent hot streak with a two-hit, two-run day; CF A.J. Ewing hit his first homer since July 8th, a two-run tank in the second inning

• 3B Brett Baty had a three-RBI day, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the seventh and a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth that nearly left the yard

• C Francisco Álvarez's recent struggles continued, ending his day hitless with three strikeouts

• RHP Chris Devenski gave up a hit and nothing more in his two scoreless innings of relief; LHP Jefry Yan and RHP Justin Hagenman were not as productive, allowing a combined three runs on a homer apiece

• The Mets will recall RHP Jonah Tong to pitch against the Marlins on Monday, Mets manager Andy Green said on Sunday

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Play of the Game ⭐️

Welcome back, kid!

After Marcus Semien reached safely on a fielder’s choice, the long-slumping A.J. Ewing reminded everyone what he can do. On the fourth pitch of the at-bat, Ewing powered a 2-1 changeup out of the bottom of the zone and into the right-center bullpen.

Who’s Hot? 🥵

• Jared Young is hitting .290 with a .774 OPS in his last 30 games played (107 AB)

Who’s Cold? 🥶

• C Francisco Álvarez is hitting just .165/.277/.309 with three homers, 10 RBI, and 45 strikeouts over his last 30 games played (97 AB)

• LHP Jefry Yan has allowed at least one run in each of his last four appearances

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

ICYMI: Rich sat down with Marc Luino, aka ‪@GiraffeNeckMarc‬ (co-host of ‪Mets’d Up‬ & ‪The Windup‬) to revisit some preseason predictions, examine some of the season’s most nonsensical narratives, and preview how this team can contend in 2027.

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Down on the Farm 🌾

• 2B Émilien Pitre (No. 11 prospect, Triple-A): 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI

• 1B/3B Nick Lorusso (Triple-A): 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, K, SB

• 3B Jefferson Rojas (No. 1 prospect, Double-A): 1-for-4, HR, K

• RHP R.J. Gordon (No. 30 prospect, Double-A): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K, HR

• DH Corey Collins (Double-A): 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, K

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU (SSPD) | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (64-78) vs. Giants (59-84)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: RHP Christian Scott (4-4, 3.80 ERA) vs. LHP Cesar Perdomo (0-0, 2.25 ERA)

When: 1:40 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Let’s be patient with AJ Ewing ✍️

A.J. Ewing hasn’t looked all that good at the plate for quite a while…but how bad has he really been?

Bad. There’s no other way to spin a .174/.258/.243 slash over his last 30 games.

Though Ewing is widely considered the future of the franchise in center field, his performance in the box has been bad enough to warrant questions about just how ready he is to tackle this talent level.

There’s a big difference, though, between being worried about a player’s real-time process and results, and being worried about the player overall. And at this moment, despite any offensive evidence to the contrary, there remain ample reasons for even the most nervous of fans to believe Ewing to remain optimistic.

Here are three big reasons why:

1. His contact data is more reassuring than concerning

Ewing’s .254 BABIP over the last month is obviously concerning, particularly when extending the sample back into July. But the reason for it is probably pretty simple.

Over the past month of slump, Ewing has been hitting the ball at a league-average rate when it comes to harder contact, while continuing to keep truly weak contact to a minimum. His overall hard-contact rate has remained remarkably consistent throughout the season, including during this slump. All of that bodes well for a true contact hitter profile.

Where Ewing gets into trouble, though, is the lack of enough hard contact. His medium-speed contact rate has been among the worst in baseball since the start of August, a death sentence for a considerable chunk of the line-drive contact he creates. Far too often lately, when Ewing puts the ball in play, it’s landing in “likely an out” territory — he’s elevating the ball well, but often not offering enough pop to put it where it’ll play.

That’s not ideal. But it’s fixable.

And while Ewing develops his power tool, his raw hit and speed tools can keep him dangerous as a run scorer in other ways. His spray chart might offer one avenue for doing exactly that.

Ewing’s contact goes pull-side less than 25% of the time — for a hitter who produces plenty of line drives, that means far too much extra-base potential being left unfulfilled. Turning a few more of those medium-power liners into balls pulled down the first base line or into the right field corner would likely make a meaningful difference, and quickly.

2. He hasn’t abandoned his core approach at the plate

This is probably the most reassuring bit of this entire analysis: Ewing has walked in 8.5% of his plate appearances during the last month of his slump; his season rate is 9.0%. That’s a good sign.

Though his strikeout rate has jumped significantly, Ewing hasn’t started chasing at a ridiculous rate as a result of any pressing he may be doing. In fact, Ewing is chasing less during this last month than his season baseline, despite swinging more frequently than his current per-162 pace would suggest. That’s significant.

And beyond his outstanding plate discipline, it’s when you started wading further into the plate approach and contact data weeds that the case supporting some genuinely bad batted-ball luck here starts to hold more water.

Ewing’s overall contact rate during the last month is 77%, almost identical to his 77.2% season rate. His zone-contact rate has dipped from 85.4% for the season to 82.5% during the slump, which is worth acknowledging, but that isn’t exactly the profile of someone who has completely lost the ability to make contact. Case in point: he’s also fouling pitches off at essentially the same rate. Clearly, contact itself hasn’t been the issue.

Taken together, these numbers suggest that Ewing’s core process is still worth building on, rather than indicating that he needs a total teardown. There are certainly things to clean up — the contact he does make needs to become more authoritative, and a small drop in zone contact is something to monitor — but there realistically probably isn’t as much to fix here as a months-long, sub-.200 batting average might suggest.

3. The rest of his game hasn’t gone anywhere

Ewing’s essentially been a guaranteed out in the batter’s box throughout the second half, but it’s critical to remember that a player’s value does not solely exist at the plate; why else would NL ROY candidate JJ Wetherholt’s WAR be almost entirely propped up by his defense?

Despite some lackluster lumber, Ewing’s defense remains excellent. His +3 Fielding Run Value puts him among the top defensive rookies and inside the top 25 center fielders in all of MLB. He’s even better on the basepaths: Ewing’s 22 stolen bases lead all rookies, with Carson Benge’s 20 right behind him.

We’re not talking about someone who looks overmatched in every facet of the game; there’s a solid argument to be made that, despite the surface stats, he isn’t even completely overmatched at the big league level. It’s not like Ewing’s game has eroded to the point where you worry about whether or not he has the stuff to stick around — most metrics suggest quite the opposite.

He’s going to need to adjust to major league velocity in order to bring his strikeout rate back down to earth, and he’ll have to put some power behind the contact he makes while keeping it elevated and bringing it to all fields more frequently…but all of that is fixable. Nothing that was just described is anything more severe than standard rookie development stuff.

4. He just got here!

Folks, he’s only 22. Perhaps panic should be put on pause until, say…his age 25 season. They’ve stayed patient with Brett Baty, Francisco Álvarez, and even Mark Vientos. Why wouldn’t they with Ewing?

Generally speaking, it takes most hitters several full-workload seasons to establish their particular place in the league. A 2022 Pitcher List study found that Year 3 is, on average, where the biggest statisical leaps tend to take place at the plate. Looking at wRC+ specifically, they found that a player’s rookie season is the least significant year of their first six; they also noted that just as many rookie struggle stories (Nolan Arenado, 77 rookie wRC+; Michael Brantley, 73 rookie wRC+) as cautionary tales (Keston Hiura, 139). With regard to isolated power (ISO) development, there are listed countless examples of career sluggers who started their careers with underwhelming power numbers.

The most damning part of the PL report involves the improvement of rookie strikeout rate, which is to say that, historically, there hasn’t been much en masse: “If you’re banking on a player suddenly going from liability to above-average in terms of contact ability, that is likely a very tall task that will not be met.”

However, Ewing’s current strikeout woes aren’t at all typical for him: he averaged a ~17% rate over his last two minor league seasons, and his season rate sits at 26%, about league average. Coupled with a steady ability to draw walks, there’s plenty of reason to believe Ewing can be a bit of an exception to the rookie rule here.

In summary: the book is far from written on A.J. Ewing. We’re barely out of the introduction. After all, this is a kid who was ranked at the bottom of the org’s farm system as recently as a year ago.

Now, mere months later, he’s a symbol of a franchise’s future being realized arguably too early…but just as likely right on time.

It’s a lot to wear on one’s shoulders — and Ewing’s leading the rookie class in steals while doing it.

Around the League 🚩

• Zack Wheeler struck out nine Braves en route to a 4-2 Phillies win to reduce Atlanta’s NL East lead to four games

• Munetaka Murakami hit his 30th homer in a 6-4 loss to Minnesota, giving the White Sox their third 30-homer player this season (Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery)

• An ailing Shohei Ohtani missed a third consecutive game, with Dave Roberts suggesting an IL stint is under consideration; Tommy Edman’s late three-run homer helped the Dodgers nudge the Nats, 6-5

• Kazuma Okamoto’s four-hit, two-RBI night led the Jays to a 4-3 win over the Royals, pushing Toronto into sole possession of the final AL Wild Card spot

• Riley Greene’s four-hit day and Framber Valdez’s seven scoreless innings paved the path for a 6-0 Detroit win over Cleveland; Greene homered twice off Guardians starter Parker Messick

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• The Mets opened up their series against the Giants with a 10-6 win at Citi Field on Friday night (box)

• RHP Nolan McLean faced a lot of traffic and threw a career-high 105 pitches, but allowed just two earned runs on six hits with four walks and seven strikeouts over six innings

• LHP Jefry Yan gave up a run in the seventh, before RHP Austin Warren allowed a three-run homer to give the Giants a route back into the game. However, RHP Kodai Senga closed things down in the ninth

• DH Mark Vientos blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the first to give the Mets an early lead, before C Francisco Alvarez made it a 4-0 game in the second. Alvarez would also homer in the eighth for his third multi-homer game of the season

• Both 3B Bo Bichette and SS Francisco Lindor hit two-run homers as the offense scored 10 runs for the second straight game

• RHP Jonah Tong will be called up and will start on the mound against the Marlins on Monday (SNY)

• The Mets also announced their 2027 spring training schedule, with Grapefruit League play getting underway on Feb. 19 (MLB.com)

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Play of the Game ⭐️

The Mets, much like they did in the series finale against the Rays, came out swinging from the get-go on Friday night.

After Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette both got on base, Mark Vientos came to the plate with another chance to impress following his return from injury.

You could say he accomplished that particular mission.

The DH slugged a three-run home run to right field in the bottom of the first inning to give the Mets an early lead. It was Vientos’ second homer in four games, and it also helped to set the tone for the rest of the game.

Who’s Hot? 🥵

• RHP Nolan McLean now owns a 1.87 ERA over his last 12 starts - he has allowed just 15 earned runs while striking out 73 hitters over that span

• Over his last six games, 3B Bo Bichette is hitting .364/.440/.636/.1.076 with eight hits, five runs scored, three doubles, one home run, two RBIs, and three walks

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest episode of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich is joined by guest Marc Luino, aka ‪@GiraffeNeckMarc‬ (co-host of ‪Mets’d Up‬ & ‪The Windup‬) to discuss what they were most right & wrong about entering this season, the worst Mets takes of the year, and how to contend in 2027...

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

David Stearns Speaks 🗣️

Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns met with members of the media prior to Friday’s game. Here are some highlights from his availability:

• He made it clear that he’s yet to have any kind of discussion with Bo Bichette over whether the infielder plans on opting in or out this offseason

• There is “no question” that Francisco Lindor will be the Mets’ everyday shortstop in 2027, while there is no real concern about Lindor’s poor defensive play this year

• He admitted that Jorge Polanco’s defensive future is “TBD” and they won’t know more until the infielder is back on the field

• Marcus Semien has been “outstanding” in terms of his work ethic, but both player and team want more offensive production next year

• He called Jared Young’s production “real,” while admitting that Kodai Senga’s future role with the team is still to be determined. He also stressed that the team will “count on” Sean Manaea next year, speaking of the need for the lefty to have a good offseason

• The plan remains for Andy Green to return to the front office in the offseason, while hiring a GM will be considered

• Finally, he spoke about the Mets competing against really good teams as of late, while admitting that is also the expectation of this team

Down on the Farm 🌾

• C Hayden Senger (Triple-A): 1-for-3, 1 R, 3 RBIs, 1 HR

• SS Mitch Voit (No. 4 prospect, Double-A): 1-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1 2B

• RHP Luke Gabrysh (No. 28 prospect, Double-A): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

• LF John Spikerman (High-A): 2-for-2, 3 R, 2 RBIs, 2 BB, 1 HR, 3 SB

• C Yovanny Rodriguez (No. 26 prospect, Single-A): 2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 HR

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR (GM 1 | GM 2)

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (64-77) vs. Giants (58-84)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: LHP Zac Thornton (3-4, 2.93 ERA) vs. RHP Anthony Molina (2-0, 3.77 ERA)

When: 4:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Where do Nolan McLean and Carson Benge stand in NL ROTY race? ✍️

Today feels like a good time to check in on the chase for the National League Rookie of the Year award.

It is currently a four-horse race with the Reds’ Sal Stewart leading the pack. St. Louis rookie JJ Wetherholt is heavily involved, as are, of course, Mets duo Carson Benge and Nolan McLean.

Regardless of what happens, the fact that the Mets have two leading contenders for Rookie of the Year in what has been a lost and failed season should be considered a massive plus. Whether McLean or Benge can actually win it, however, remains to be seen.

Stewart remains the favorite, and it is not surprising to see why. He’s currently hitting .266/.336/.483/.819 with 31 home runs and 106 RBIs. While he doesn’t offer much defensively due to his position, his offensive exploits no doubt give Stewart a significant edge, especially when you consider that he slashed .304/.349/.530/.880 with eight home runs and 21 RBIs in August alone.

Now, this is where it gets interesting.

Wetherholt was right in the thick of the race, but he’s currently on the Injured List with right wrist tendinitis. The more time the second baseman misses, the more likely it is he will slip further out of contention. As a result, that will only open the door for Benge.

While Wetherholt has been outstanding defensively, posting 22 outs above average, he was hitting .242/.343/.370/.713 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs prior to getting hurt. Benge is currently slashing .278/.337/.419/.756 with 16 homers, 18 doubles, 20 stolen bases, and 54 RBIs. He’s also only gotten better as the year has gone on, hitting .310 with an .816 OPS in the second half of the year. If Benge can have a strong finish offensively, then that should at least put him ahead of Wetherholt even with 0 outs above average.

And then there is McLean.

The righty has had to navigate some struggles this season, but he’s been nearly unstoppable as of late, posting a 1.87 ERA over his last 12 starts with 15 earned runs allowed and 73 strikeouts.

It is probably fair to say that if Stewart is going to be really challenged for the Rookie of the Year, then McLean is going to be his number one rival. McLean is finishing the year with a flourish - he now has racked up five consecutive quality starts and has 18 on the year, which is the most quality starts by a Mets rookie since Dwight Gooden (21) and Ron Darling (22) in 1984.

McLean is finishing the year with a flourish and is just getting better down the stretch. If he can keep this up and post gems in his remaining starts this year, then there is a world in which he could overtake Stewart as the favorite for the NL Rookie of the Year.

All in all, I think we are now looking at a three-horse race with Wetherholt currently on the IL. Stewart is still very much in the lead, but if he slows down in September, then that could leave the door wide open for both McLean and Benge down the stretch. If a Met is going to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award, my money would be on McLean given how well he’s pitching right now. But Benge could steal it if he continues to hit and field at a high clip the rest of the way.

Around the League 🚩

• Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani could go on the IL after missing his second straight game on Friday (MLB.com)

• Braves LHP Chris Sale tossed six innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts in a 5-2 win over the Phillies

• 2B Travis Bazzana blasted a game-tying two-run homer before hitting a walk-off RBI single in the Guardians’ 4-3 win over the Tigers

• Padres C Luis Campusano had himself a night; throwing out three basestealers before delivering a walk-off home run in a 3-2 win over the Yankees

• Cubs LHP Shota Imanaga threw six innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts in a 6-1 win over the Marlins

• Both 3B Miguel Vargas and SS Colson Montgomery blasted their 30th home runs of the year in the White Sox’s 4-1 win over the Twins

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• The Mets were off on Thursday - they open a three-game series with the Giants on Friday night at Citi Field

• Mark Vientos has emerged a non-tender candidate after the season ends (SNY)

• The Mets are one of the teams interesting in signing Japanese slugger 3B Teruaki Sato (MLB.com)

• OF Juan Soto surprised a bunch of kids from the Police Athletic League of New York City and New York Empire Baseball in Brooklyn during a baseball clinic (SNY)

Roster Moves 📰

• Claimed RHP Cameron Weston from Baltimore and optioned him to Triple-A

• C Shawn Ross designated for assignment

• Promoted C Kevin Parada to Triple-A Syracuse

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The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest episode of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich is joined by guest Marc Luino, aka ‪@GiraffeNeckMarc‬ (co-host of ‪Mets’d Up‬ & ‪The Windup‬) to discuss what they were most right & wrong about entering this season, the worst Mets takes of the year, and how to contend in 2027...

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Down on the Farm 🌾

• C Alejandro Urias (Single-A): 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, K

• OF Aiden Smith (No. 16 prospect, Single-A): 2-for-5, R, RBI, 2 SB, K

• C Ryan Tayman (High-A): 3-for-4, R, HR, 2B, 2 RBI

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (63-77) vs Giants (58-83)

Where: Citi Field — Flushing, NY

Starters: RHP Nolan McLean (10-8, 3.06 ERA) vs. LHP Matt Wilkinson (0-2, 4.63 ERA)

When: 7:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: WPIX

Some forthcoming decisions seem easy, but others will be harder for the Mets ✍️

With this season going off the rails so early for the Mets, change is inevitable. Big changes with both easy and difficult decisions on the immediate horizon, not the least of which will be yet another managerial change.

It’s not clear who will be available to the Mets or who will even want the job considering how tumultuous things have been with the club, but unless interim manager Andy Green changes his mind, there’s going to be a new face in the Mets dugout when camp opens in Port St. Lucie in five months.

But beyond that, they have some significant roster decisions to make with the players who are currently here.

For starters, the Mets will have to make a decision on Mark Vientos, and if I were to wager, his time in New York will likely come to an end. He has a net negative value as a struggling right-handed designated hitter with no place in the field, and all of that is a big reason why the Mets have been bad for over a year. He’s going to be in his first year of arbitration eligibility, which will make him more expensive than the $775,000 he’s earning now, even if it’s a nominal increase.

To be frank, it’s time after four years of waiting for the tide to turn with Vientos, and if not for the lack of minor league options, he might’ve been sent down last June.

Chelsea Janes of SNY recently speculated that Brett Baty might get another year in a Mets uniform despite another poor season from him due to his versatility in the field. But has making him a versatile player really helped him create value? Again, Baty has been terrible, but the Mets can’t hide from the fact that they displaced him at third base when they signed Bo Bichette, and when he was their regular third baseman last year— albeit in a small sample— that was unquestionably the best version of Baty since he came to the big leagues. That’s not to say he would be better if Bichette opted out and they decided to make Baty their full-time third baseman— that’s ill-advised right now. And, like Vientos, Baty is going to be arbitration eligible for the first time in 2027.

They could easily find another utility-man that, should they put up similar subpar numbers, would at the very least play better defense. Baty is someone who is easily replaceable next season.

Francisco Álvarez is another problematic case. On the surface, Alvarez’s offense has been above average offensively. He is hitting .231/.317/.392 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs with an OPS of .709. For context, the league average OPS among qualified catchers is .684 coming into play today.

But lately, he has been unplayable, and that might be a kind way to put it.

His defense is generally poor, to the point that Luis Torrens— who is arguably the best defensive catcher in the game— has been getting the bulk of the reps behind the plate. And at the plate, Álvarez has been on a concerningly downward trajectory, having hit only .145/.253/.229 with 40 strikeouts in his last 95 plate appearances dating back to July 29.

Now, while Alvarez has certainly been frustrating to watch, especially with his power potential, the truth is there is not much out there to upgrade at the position. Again, overall Álvarez has been above average offensively, is still just 24 and generally inexpensive even as he enters his arbitration years next winter. So, despite the problems he has with respect to the problems on the rest of the roster, they probably need to stand pat at the position and hope he either grows or another internal option emerges in the relative near-term.

Next, Jorge Polanco had a season to forget after being brought in to learn and play first base, which is all the more glaring coming after the loss of Pete Alonso. He suffered through an Achilles injury and ankle bursitis all season and was never effective or healthy. As a 33-year-old, it is hard to see him bounce back from those tough injuries, and it would be unwise to consider him again for first base with that injury history. He was never the right fit for this team either, and with him owed $23 million next season, the team may have to figure out how to cut bait with Polanco, depending on what other moves they’re able to make during the winter.

Finally, Kodai Senga has been another one who has contributed to the losing over the last couple of seasons. As a starter, he was 0-7 with a 9.66 ERA and was pitching his way off the roster in that role. However, as a reliever, the team seems to have unlocked something in him by making him a two-pitch pitcher. As a reliever, he has a pedestrian-like 4.24 ERA, but in save situations, he has five saves and a 1.80 ERA. He’s been a breath of fresh air in that role, adding a bit of excitement to the ninth inning with his new “Beat It” entrance.

Now, while he certainly has potential as a closer, it’s hard to completely trust this small sample from Senga considering the track record. He is due $15 million next season in the final year of his contract. The team is also paying Devin Williams $12 million next season, and I am not sure he should be the closer, either. First, they have to decide if they want to keep Senga around, then they have to decide if they trust him or Williams to be a closer. A lot of that could depend on who’s available to them this winter too.

It’s undoubtedly been a disappointing season for the team and its fans, and next year, the team could look radically different yet again. There were a lot of question marks heading into the season, and those questions have now been answered, and it’s time to act on it. If the team felt it needed to make a change from Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil after a collapse in 2025, right, wrong, or otherwise, those who didn’t perform this season should also not be tolerated.

As Steve Cohen recently said, the Mets have to take fewer risks, and that could come at a cost of longer-term contracts.

Around the League 🚩

• Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 39th home run to help the Cubs edge the Brewers 2-1 at Wrigley

• Tommy Edman had four hits and played three positions in the Dodgers 3-2 win over the Cardinals

• Cal Quantrill allowed two hits over seven innings and Corey Seager homered in the Rangers 6-0 shutout over the Rays

• Adley Rutschman hit two home runs in his return to Camden Yards in the Red Sox 6-5 win over the Orioles

• Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is day-to-day with biceps and neck soreness

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• The Mets clinched their series against the Rays with a big 10-4 win in the finale in Tampa on Wednesday night (box)

• RHP Justin Hagenman provided three innings of one-hit ball but RHP Chris Devenski came in and allowed three earned runs on four hits, including a two-run homer. Four relievers then combined to provide strong scoreless relief the rest of the way

• Offensively, the Mets were hot from the get-go with 1B Jared Young hitting a two-run double in the first inning, before LF Brett Baty’s bases-clearing double in the third blew the game wide open. DH Juan Soto would go on to hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth to round out the scoring

• OF Nick Morabito entered the game as a pitch-runner and recorded his first career hit with a three-run double to add to the lead, before adding a single in the ninth

• Both 3B Bo Bichette and RF Carson Benge went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk, while 2B Marcus Semien stayed hot with an RBI double, a run, and a walk

• RHP Jonah Tong is “under discussion” to join the team in the near future (SNY)

Roster Moves 📰

• RHP Justin Hagenman reinstated from the 60-Day Injured List

• RHP Dylan Ross optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

Injury Updates 🏥

• RHP Devin Williams (right shoulder strain) is playing catch and, while there is still no timetable, the Mets hope the veteran can return this season

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Play of the Game ⭐️

The Mets jumped on Rays starter Griffin Jax early and often and had built a 3-0 lead by the time the third inning came around.

Jax’s tough night continued as he loaded the bases, thanks in part to some hustle from A.J. Ewing. Brett Baty then stepped to the plate with two outs and came through in the clutch in the biggest way possible, blasting a double that clipped the wall to clear the bases and give the Mets a 6-0 lead.

Baty’s bases-clearing double would prove crucial with the Rays getting back in the game in the fourth inning, while the majority of the Mets’ offense last night came from the bottom half of the lineup.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest episode of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich is joined by guest Marc Luino, aka ‪@GiraffeNeckMarc‬ (co-host of ‪Mets’d Up‬ & ‪The Windup‬) to discuss what they were most right & wrong about entering this season, the worst Mets takes of the year, and how to contend in 2027...

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Down on the Farm 🌾

• 3B Jacob Reimer (No. 7 prospect, Double-A): 2-for-4, 1 2B

• SS Sammy Stafura (No. 8 prospect, High-A): 1-for-3, 1 2B, 1 BB

• 3B Colin Houck (High-A): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 HR

• CF Branny De Oleo (Single-A): 1-for-1, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 3 BB, 1 SB

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR (PPD)

Today’s Game 🗓

The Mets are off on Thursday and will open up a three-game series against the Giants at Citi Field on Friday

What does 2027 have in store for Nick Morabito and Marcus Semien? ✍️

Wednesday night’s blowout win over the Rays gave us more glimpses at what the 2027 Mets roster could look like.

Let’s start with Nick Morabito.

You probably couldn’t have scripted a better night for the rookie given how everything unfolded in Tampa.

He entered the game as a pinch-runner in the sixth inning and made an immediate impact, recording his first career MLB hit with a three-run double in the seventh inning. The knock effectively wrapped up the win and the series for the Mets.

What was really impressive about Morabito’s first MLB hit was that it came with the bases loaded and two outs. Having gone 0-for-11 in his first stint in the Majors earlier in the year, it wouldn’t have been a shock if Morabito failed to come through in that spot. Instead, he showed good discipline to work the count before absolutely lacing a double down the left-field line.

That showed that Morabito learned from his first cup of coffee in the bigs and made the required adjustments before coming back up. That should be applauded.

He also hit a line-drive single in the ninth, capping off just an encouraging night at the plate. If all that wasn’t enough, then Morabito also made a superb diving grab to record the final out of the eighth inning.

It was certainly a breakout performance from the outfielder, who flashed all of his skills and attributes across just a few innings.

So, what does that mean for 2027?

Well, there is no doubt that Morabito could become a really valuable fourth outfielder for the Mets. He’s regarded as a plus-defender, while he owns a lot of speed and, as he showed on Wednesday, he’s capable of putting the ball in play and making things happen.

Morabito could become a dangerous option off the bench late in games, especially with his speed and his defense. If he can start to hit consistently at this level, then he has the ability to morph into a really valuable option for the Mets. Plus, if the team wants to give Juan Soto more DH days in 2027, then an outfield trio of Morabito, Carson Benge, and A.J. Ewing could be both fun to watch and highly effective.

All in all, I think there is enough there to work with Morabito. Again, it remains to be seen if he can hit consistently, but if he can, his speed alone on the basepaths could be a game-changer, while his outfield defense would also really help this team. If given the right role, then I do believe Morabito could be a big part of the 2027 roster.

Meanwhile, Marcus Semien also caught my eye last night. The veteran has quietly been having a couple of productive months, and he’s hitting .300/.404/.325/.729 with one double, three runs, three RBIs, and six walks over his last 12 games. He’s been especially dangerous with runners on.

Now, at 35, Semien is what he is, and more natural regression is to be expected. However, with that said, he’s clearly settling in, and if he can carry over his current level of production into 2027, then maybe he can become a reliable hitter in the bottom half of the lineup. If he can marry that with solid to good defense at second base, then I think the Mets can live with that.

With so many holes to fill elsewhere on the roster, it would help to not have to worry about second base this coming offseason. What we’re seeing from Semien right now should at least provide some encouragement that he could be a useful player next year. Plus, with so many young guys coming through, Semien isn’t a bad influence to have around.

Around the League 🚩

• Phillies 1B Bryce Harper reached base for the 35th consecutive game but that wasn’t enough in a 1-0 loss to the Diamondbacks

• LF Luis Robert Jr. had a solid debut for the Orioles, finishing with two RBIs, a double, and a run scored in a 6-5 loss to the Rockies

• Royals C Carter Jensen crushed his sixth leadoff homer of the year in a 9-6 loss to the Marlins - that’s two more than any other catcher in MLB history

• The Cubs got to RHP Jacob Misiorowski, but LF Jackson Chourio’s four-hit night led the Brewers to a big 9-5 win to tighten their grip on the NL Central

• RF Ronald Acuña Jr. finished with three hits, three RBIs, a stolen base, and a home run in the Braves’ 9-0 win over the Nationals, becoming the fastest player in MLB history to reach 200 homers and 200 stolen bases

• 1B Vladimir Guerrero’s double and three-run homer powered the Blue Jays to an 11-0 win over the Guardians

• DH Roman Anthony hit his first home run at Fenway Park this year, but it wasn’t enough as Boston lost to the Mariners, 9-6

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• The Mets managed just two runs on three hits against RHP Freddy Peralta and the Rays in a 6-2 loss on Tuesday (box)

• Peralta was excellent against his former club, striking out seven Mets over six innings while allowing just one run on three hits

• SS Francisco Lindor brought in both of the Mets’ runs, first with a leadoff homer and then with a bases-loaded walk in the seventh; 3B Bo Bichette and RF Carson Benge provided the Mets’ other two hits of the night

• LHP Sean Manaea had a tough day, allowing five runs on 11 hits (including a homer) with just two strikeouts over 5.2 innings of work - three of those runs were allowed in the sixth inning

• RHP Dylan Ross had a smooth major league debut with a perfect frame; LHP Jefry Yan allowed a run on two hits with two strikeouts in his inning

Roster Moves 📰

• OF Nick Morabito recalled from Triple-A Syracuse

• RHP Dylan Ross recalled from Triple-A Syracuse

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The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

ICYMI: Rich flew solo on the latest Just Mets pod for a breakdown of Luis Robert Jr.’s departure and a recap of his time in a Mets uniform before digging into what’s next for youngsters Nick Morabito and Mark Vientos in their respective returns to the bigs.

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• DH Billy Amick (Triple-A): 1-for-2, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB

• C Chris Suero (No. 18 prospect, Double-A): 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 0 K, 2 SB

• CF Aiden Robbins (No. 10 prospect, High-A): 2-for-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

• CF Branny De Oleo (Single-A): 1-for-2, 2B, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K, SB

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK (Gm1 / Gm2) | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (62-77) at Rays (83-55)

Where: Tropicana Field — St. Petersburg, FL

Starters: RHP Justin Hagenman (Season debut) vs. RHP Griffin Jax (6-9, 3.63 ERA)

When: 6:40 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Chris Suero deserves your attention ✍️

MLB rosters have expanded, which has brought Nick Morabito and Justin Hagenman back to the big leagues and, as of last night, spurred the long-awaited debut of Dylan Ross.

With all the renewed talk of prospects and roster construction and future plans, there’s another name on the Mets’ farm that’s likely going to be a big one to watch this winter: let’s talk a bit about Chris Suero.

He’s not going to be a factor for the big league club this year — he’s not even on the 40-man roster yet — but in a league where the catching landscape is relatively barren on the free agent front, it can’t hurt to start thinking about shoring up the reserves, especially considering the immediate depth (or lack thereof) the Mets have at backstop currently and a looming Rule 5 protection deadline not all that far away.

Speaking frankly, with Hayden Senger and Shawn Ross holding down the fort at Triple-A, there’s only so much of a lineup boost the Mets can expect from a catcher call-up at present. And though Kevin Parada finally seemed to hit an offensive stride at Triple-A during his quick stint in June (.301/.798 over 24 games) before hitting .411 at Double-A in August, he also hit .153 in July and owns a .232 average with a .651 OPS over 63 games for Binghamton. If there’s any catcher in the system worth investing in, it’s Chris Suero.

At a quick glance, fans may see Suero’s .210 batting average this season and roll their eyes; understandable, given it’s the ninth-worst average at Double-A right now. But more discerning eyes will see the story worth being told here. At 22 years old, Suero is on the cusp of a 20 HR/20 2B/30 SB season in his first full season at Double-A. He’s set career highs in doubles, triples, homers, walks, and steals, all while striking out less and getting caught stealing fewer times than in 2025. That less-than-impressive average is further buoyed by a .777 OPS, a 16% walk rate, and a .211 ISO — that’ll play.

There’s a lot to like about Suero’s player profile: when have the Mets ever had a base-stealing, slugging catcher who can also man the outfield in a pinch (136.1 innings in CF/LF in 2026) and hold down first base as well (32.0); there aren’t many players like that in the big leagues, period.

Here’s where things stood with Suero last offseason:

• 2025 MiLB Totals: 115 G, 475 PA, .233/.379/.407, 88 H, 16 HR, 16 2B, 1 3B, 78 R, 68 RBI, 35 SB, 29.3%-14.7% K-BB%, .175 ISO, .316 BABIP, .375 wOBA, 141 wRC+

• 2025 Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 / Power: 50 / Run: 60 / Arm: 50 / Field: 50 / Overall: 45

Here’s where he is today:

• 2026 MiLB Totals: 104 G, 460 PA, .211/.357/.422, 78 H, 18 HR, 20 2B, 2 3B, 73 R, 50 RBI, 36 SB, 28.6%-16.4% K-BB%, .211 ISO, .269 BABIP, .352 wOBA, 114 wRC+

• Latest Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Let’s address the most notable step(s) back right away: seeing such a heavy downturn in BABIP (and, as a result, in wOBA and wRC+) is never encouraging. However, there’s reason to believe a considerable chunk of that depletion is due to some plain bad luck, perhaps even due to mechanical changes that are still resulting in improvement where it counts.

Suero’s pulling the ball a bit less than he did last season, but that’s resulted exclusively in more straightaway contact without any opposite complement; he’s actually spread the ball to the opposite field less in 2026 than he did in 2025. His quality-of-contact data is largely the same too: his line drive rate has dropped, giving way to an uptick in fly balls while his 40%+ groundball rate has stayed steady. However, the quality of those fly balls is much better (far fewer infield flies, more homers per), and his plate discipline data is almost exactly the same year-to-year: same swing rate, same contact rate, same called-and-swinging strike rate…the biggest difference is a 1.4% uptick in first pitch strike percentage.

Ultimately, despite any changes his swing or approach may have undergone, Suero looks a lot like the hitter he was last year on paper, just with far less frequent batted-ball luck.

If Suero suits up for the rest of the Ponies’ slate, he’ll match last season’s games played total, with a chance to match last season’s hit total. And though he likely won’t eclipse his runs produced total from 2025 (130, 105 in 2026), that’s largely more an issue of circumstance: while his RBI total has dropped pretty sharply, he’s scored just five fewer runs this year than last. That Suero has maintained, and even improved, upon his baseline while reportedly making multiple approach adjustments this season is both commendable and noteworthy. It’s a testament to both his work ethic and his raw talent as a player — the ability to run out and field three positions while going 20/30 isn’t run-of-the-mill stuff.

There’s clearly plenty to still be worked on with Suero before he hits the show, most importantly the strikeouts. While they’ve improved, they’re still far too frequent. If he’s going to be a true three-outcomes hitter (which all signs point directly at), he needs to get much better at managing that side of his game. And while it’s reasonable to expect a batting average bounceback in 2027, Suero’s never exactly been a guy to hit for average — he’s been a consistent ~.230 guy since he entered pro ball. If he’s going to remain a pull-heavy power bat that makes his money in extra-base hits, he has to find a way to ensure he keeps getting on base at a functional clip. Zone awareness and plate discipline are the key to that recipe.

But even considering the holes in his game that still need to be patched, Suero presents a type of player that Mets fans have never gotten to see in action before. He’s currently splitting games with Parada behind the dish while occasionally starting in the outfield in the Double-A season’s waning days…safe to say Francisco Álvarez and Luis Torrens won’t be doing that any time soon. He also stole nine bases in August and had two yesterday…Álvy and Torrens have combined for one all season. Álvy and Torrens have combined for 21 homers; Suero has 18.

From his fielding versatility to his baserunning ability to his power potential, Chris Suero is arguably one of the most important prospects the Mets have right now, regardless of position — being a primary catcher just makes it that much more imperative that this franchise keeps him around.

Around the League 🚩

• Arte Moreno is selling the Los Angeles Angels to Stan Kroenke; Kroenke will pay $4 billion for a controlling stake in the club, adding the Angels to an ownership portfolio that also includes the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Arsenal and more (ESPN)

• The Padres promoted their top prospect (MLB #23), 20-year-old C Ethan Salas; if he appears behind the plate this season, he’ll be the youngest player to catch a big league game since Iván Rodríguez in 1991

• The Mariners’ slugging prospect DH Lazaro Montes (#7 org, #56 MLB) had a memorable debut, with a walk/run scored, an RBI single, and a homer in a 9-6 Seattle win; Montes is the first rookie Mariner with multiple hits in their debut since Ichiro in 2001

• The Cardinals’ offense erupted against the Dodgers for a 13-8 win in Chavez Ravine, as Joshua Báez, Jordan Walker, Ramón Urías, and Thomas Saggese all homered; rookie C Leo Bernal contributed to the scoring outburst with a two-run RBI single in the top of the third for his first MLB hit

• Jesús Luzardo tossed 6.2 innings of one-run ball and Bryce Harper went 4-for-4 as the Phillies beat the Diamondbacks 7-1 to claim sole possession of the top NL Wild Card Spot; the Phillies have won 15 of their last 17 games and sit just three games behind the Braves for the NL East lead

• Gavin Williams racked up a career-high 13 strikeouts in a seven-inning, one-run performance to lead the Guardians past the Blue Jays, 6-1

• The Twins scored 10 runs in the sixth inning to trample the Tigers, 15-2

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• The Mets beat the Rays in the opener of their series down in St. Pete by the score of 3-2 (Box)

• RHP Robert Stock started for the Mets and was excellent, allowing just five hits in 5.1 scoreless innings to earn his first MLB win since 2019

• Starting at DH in his first game back from the injured list, Mark Vientos crushed a solo home run after hitting three home runs on Sunday for Triple-A Syracuse

• Protecting a one run lead in the 9th, RHP Kodai Senga pitched around a leadoff walk to secure the save

• OF Luis Robert Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles, officially ending his short-lived Mets tenure (story)

• Mets No. 13 prospect Nick Morabito will be recalled to the club on Tuesday, according to multiple reports

Roster Moves 📰

• OF Luis Robert Jr. claimed off waivers by the Orioles

• 1B/DH Mark Vientos activated from 10-day injured list

Injury Updates 🏥

• RHP Justin Hagenman (fractured rib) is expected to rejoin the Mets and make a start on Wednesday in an effort to give the Mets young pitchers extra rest

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Play of the Game ⭐️

The biggest play of this game was a pretty obvious one. With the Mets up 1-0 in the bottom of the 5th—with the help of a defensive miscue by Francisco Lindor—the Rays loaded the bases with nobody out.

Robert Stock didn’t flinch, though, getting Taylor Walls to foul out and striking out Yandy Diaz. That brought Jonathan Aranda to the plate with two outs, and he promptly scorched a line drive to the left center field gap. Christopher Morel raced to his and had to make an acrobatic leap once he got there, but he secured the catch to end the inning and preserve the Mets’ momentum.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich discussed the departure of Luis Robert Jr., his tenure with the Mets, and the returns of both Nick Morabito and Mark Vientos to the major leagues.

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Down on the Farm 🌾

All Mets minor league affiliates were off on Monday

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (62-76) at Rays (82-55)

Where: Tropicana Field — St. Petersburg, FL

Starters: LHP Sean Manaea (4-6, 4.55 ERA) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (6-11, 5.11 ERA)

When: 6:40 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

The enigmatic Mark Vientos ✍️

Since the time he was drafted in the 2nd round back in 2017, has there been a more enigmatic player in the Mets organization than Mark Vientos?

The right-handed slugger consistently hammered minor league pitching early in his professional career, but always struggled to hit in the Major Leagues.

The lack of a defined role during his early big league opportunities likely played a part in that, but Vientos didn’t do himself many favors in limited action in both 2022 and 2023.

But then came the 2024 season that was magical for these Mets for so many reasons. He emerged as one of the organization’s most valuable offensive players during their playoff run and a rising star in New York that summer, claiming the everyday third base job and slashing .266/.322/.516 with 27 home runs in only 111 games.

Everything about that season screamed the Mets had finally found their first long-term answer at the hot corner since David Wright, but unfortunately, as we well know, that’s not how things played out.

Last year Vientos’ offensive slash line cratered, and while he still hit 17 home runs, his OPS dropped 136 points while he ultimately gave the starting third base job back to Brett Baty.

Vientos came to spring training this season as a man without a real role following the team’s additions of Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco.

He did make the team out of camp, but at-bats were hard to come by early on, and while he eventually did start to play more regularly, consistent production was few and far between and only further exposed his issues defensively.

Vientos went on the injured list in early July after getting hit in the hand by a pitch, and once he got healthy, his last week or so in the minors has gone about as predictably as possible. On his rehab assignment Vientos dominated in Triple-A, even crushing three home runs in a game on Sunday afternoon.

Manager Andy Green was honest and blunt when asked what Vientos’ role could be when he returned to the big club, admitting that he would not have a clean pathway to regular playing time.

With the Rays throwing a lefty last night, though, he was indeed in the starting lineup as the DH in his first game back, and he capitalized by hitting a home run.

Because, of course, he did.

Vientos is someone who possesses as much raw power as anyone in the game. He has all the tools to be a dominant power hitter in this league, but at some point, after six years, it becomes hard to believe it’s ever going to come together consistently for him. His problems defensively don’t help his case, either, since it’s hard to really put him in the field for even a single game because he can be so generally poor out there.

But Monday offered a glimpse of what Vientos can be offensively. Those glimpses need to be far more consistent if he is going to stick in the big leagues and even survive the winter with the Mets. He has the power, but would even a good month at this point make a difference in their opinion on such a fractional player?

In the end, Vientos has been among the least valuable players by fWAR this season. When that’s coupled with Baty’s season and how much playing time both have received, that helps explain why— at least in part— the club’s season went off the rails so early.

Obviously, one good game last night does not do much of anything to move the needle as it pertains to his future with the team, but I did enjoy the irony of his long ball, because it just completely fits the script Vientos has been writing with this organization for his entire career.

Around the League 🚩

• Rafael Devers crushed his 30th home run of the season in the Giants 7-3 win in Atlanta

• Michael King went six scoreless innings to lead the Padres to a 5-0 road victory over the Reds

• Daylen Lile went 3-for-3 with a pair of homers, driving in four runs to power the Nationals to a 6-3 home win over Miami

• Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story delivered a walk off hit in the 11th inning to propel Boston to a 9-8 wild win over the Mariners

• Alex Bregman hit three of the Cubs nine home runs in a 17-3 rout of the Brew Crew at Wrigley

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The Mets are officially parting ways with OF Luis Robert Jr., as he is headed to the Baltimore Orioles in a straight waiver claim, according to multiple reports.

Robert, 29, spent much of this season on the injured list with a back injury, the continuation of a multi-year pattern which has derailed his career, which has been mired by absence and underperformance for the better part of three straight seasons.

The Mets shopped Robert ahead of the August 3 trade deadline but were unable to find a taker. So, they instead decided to hold onto him, and he was able to increase his value to the tune of an .841 OPS with six home runs and 11 RBI in 75 at-bats this month, while also demonstrating versatility in both center and left field in recent weeks.

Overall, Robert has been worth 0.5 fWAR while hitting .223/.303/.399 with 10 home runs, 23 RBI, two stolen bases and a 96 OPS+ in 218 plate appearances over 58 games this season. The Mets acquired Robert earlier this year in a trade that sent Luisangel Acuña to the White Sox.

Acuña, conversely, has struggled in his first season in Chicago as the young infielder has hit .237/.268/.273 with one home run, 12 RBI, 16 stolen bases a .541 OPS, 53 OPS+ and a -0.3 fWAR. So, overall, the Mets come out on top from that transaction by +0.8 fWAR.

While the trade may not have killed the Mets in terms of what they gave up to get Robert, one could argue that the risk still was not ultimately worth taking for a club in the midst of an offseason where many radical changes were made to their roster. And while David Stearns was taking a gamble that the club could tap into Robert’s potential that was displayed in 2023, the Mets wound up seeing the same outfielder who struggled to produce and stay on the field for the White Sox from 2024-25.

The move will immediately create an opportunity for Nick Morabito, who will be recalled today ahead of rosters expanding in September. In addition, Mark Vientos—who has been out for nearly two months due to a broken bone in his hand — is with the Mets in St. Petersburg, Florida, and could be activated from the injured list in another roster move today.

Baltimore will be responsible for the approximate $5 million remaining on his salary for 2026, plus a $2 million buyout unless they opt to pick up his $20 million option for 2027.

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• The Mets lost to the Astros on Sunday by a score of 6-3 (box)

• LHP Zac Thornton was solid over five innings, allowing just two runs with five strikeouts, but the bullpen sprung a leak behind him - RHP Jonathan Pintaro and LHP Jefry Yan combined to allow four runs (three earned) in the sixth and seventh innings

• SS Francisco Lindor and LF Juan Soto accounted for the bulk of the Mets offense on Sunday with back-to-back home runs in the first inning

• 1B Jared Young committed a costly throwing error in the seventh inning which allowed two runs to score

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Play of the Game 😡

Lamont Wade Jr. hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning to put the Astros up over the Mets 4-3, but it was Jared Young’s throwing error in the following inning that allowed two runs to score and put this game well out of reach for the Mets and their struggling offense.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest edition of the Just Mets Podcast, Andrew and Rich recapped a disappointing week for the Mets in their two series against the Brewers and Astros, as well as AJ Ewing’s sluggish second half and how that should play into his role in 2027.

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Down on the Farm 🌾

• INF Mark Vientos (Triple-A, MLB rehab): 4-for-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI

• INF Jefferson Rojas (No. 1 prospect, Double-A): 3-for-6, 2B, HR, 4 RBI

• INF Sammy Stafura (No. 8 Prospect, High-A): 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI

• OF Aiden Robbins (Single-A): 2-for-5, 4 RBI, R

Six Syracuse pitchers combined to throw the franchise’s first nine-inning no-hitter since 1971 as the Mets shut out the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 8-0.

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (61-76) at Rays (82-54)

Where: Tropicana Field — St. Petersburg, FL

Starters: RHP Robert Stock (0-3, 7.40 ERA) vs. LHP Ian Seymour (9-5, 4.21 ERA)

When: 6:40 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Jonah Tong, Sean Manaea and how their next starts can impact 2027 ✍️

OK! Less than a month to go here.

Yep, I am counting down at this point. I can’t wait for this miserable season to be over. There are 26 games left, which seems hard to believe for me, and that’s surprising because usually bad seasons feel like they take forever, but this one, for whatever reason, has breezed by.

That was a rough week for the Mets. Sure, they played the Brewers and won a fun game to start the homestand, but they weren’t particularly competitive in the final two games and didn’t hit a whole lot against the Astros, either. They scored 16 runs in the six games against Milwaukee and Houston, which is pretty anemic and the biggest reason they lost four out of six to these two teams.

But, I am not really evaluating the Mets on their ability to win games at this point. That was out the window for me pretty much in late May when it was clear this team was going nowhere fast in 2026.

I am evaluating the Mets mostly on an individual basis at this point, which is what I mostly do in the early parts of Spring Training. I think what we are seeing right now offers a lot of good with their promising rookies, what some of these no-name relievers are demonstrating in what we thought was a completely empty bullpen post-trade deadline a month ago, but none of that masks the holes and weaknesses the Mets have to address this coming winter.

Now, as far as the pitching problem is concerned, it’s going to be interesting to see how they go about fixing that. On paper, they absolutely need some starting pitching. The obvious move for them is to go for Tarik Skubal, but they’re also going to have to decide how much they trust Sean Manaea to be a part of this rotation in the final year of his three-year, $75 million contract.

And, the reason I say that is because there’s been a sudden re-emergence of Jonah Tong in the minors. He nearly threw a no-hitter on Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse (who turned around and used six pitchers for a no-hitter on Sunday), but that’s a stamp on what has been a dominant run at Triple-A for Tong over his last four starts, during which he has a 0.84 ERA with 23 strikeouts against 10 walks and 11 hits in 21.1 IP.

I think he will be here in a few days and pitching in this rotation down the stretch, and his performance will matter for sure. It’s a critical time for Tong along with an opportunity for him to show he can be a part of their solution.

After all, Tong is and has been a top prospect and, outside of this season, has been a dominant minor league pitcher. So, what should the Mets believe with Tong? The longer track record of success in the minors, or the inconsistent measurement against stiffer competition over the last year at Triple-A?

All of that matters, and will matter in how they blueprint their off-season and the future of this rotation. How he fares over this next month might not only impact his standing as a member of the rotation going forward, but also Manaea’s.

In other words, if Tong has a good September as a starter, that might push Manaea back into a long relief role or off the roster entirely. If Tong has a mediocre September, that could increase Manaea’s value on this roster and factor him in more as this club’s fifth starter, at least out of the gate in 2027.

Manaea is also a big part of the clubhouse dynamic, and that has value for this organization, especially in a time when there’s about to be another period of seismic change in the room. That’s not to say the Mets should keep someone around because he’s a good guy, but the Mets seemed to take a new appreciation for team chemistry last winter after the reported issues in the room in 2025. Ultimately though, if they don’t think Manaea can be a five-inning arm who can face a lineup twice anymore, he can’t be in the rotation going forward.

But for now, having Manaea and Tong in the rotation to evaluate is fine, and again, I fully expect Tong’s next start to be in the big leagues. And in a way, this is the path I am rooting for as it’s best for any future Met rotation to be largely built from within.

None of that, to me anyway, serves as a variable for a potential pursuit of Skubal, mind you. That is an independent situation which, while it could be a long shot, the Mets have to not only be all-in for, but have to find a way to win over the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, and the other big players.

I know there will be a Plan B to Skubal, but that’s really like a Plan D or E since the drop-off is so massive from Skubal and anyone else they’re likely able to procure, outside of maybe Sandy Alcantara, who may or may not become a free agent this winter depending on whether or not the Marlins pick up his $21 million option (that’s a steal, but we are talking about the Marlins here). They can always try and bring back Clay Holmes when he inevitably opts out of his deal, but I’d bet that ship sailed when they didn’t show a lot of interest in extending him before dealing him to the Cubs.

Another alternative might include having both Tong and Manaea in the same rotation in 2027, which wouldn’t be ideal and certainly doesn’t help limit the risk issue Steve Cohen recently spoke about with this roster.

There’s a universe where Tong, Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Zac Thornton can be blue-chip arms for this franchise for the next 5-7 years at least if they can finish off their development and keep them healthy all at the same time. Take that group, add in Skubal, and they’d have a next-level rotation during that span which can be championship caliber.

Around the League 🚩

• RHP Tyler Mahle pitched into the seventh inning as the Braves edged the Rockies 3-2

• RHP Zack Wheeler allowed a run over six innings and both Of Edmundo Sosa and C JT Realmuto homered in the Phillies 5-2 win over the Angels

• RHP Max Scherzer struck out 10 batters over seven innings in the Blue Jays 7-0 win over the Mariners - Scherzer is no ninth all-time in career strikeouts

• The Yankees put up a five-spot in the fifth and a nine-spot in the eighth to wallop the Red Sox 16-1 - the Yankees hit four home runs and notched 18 hits in the win

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• The Mets beat the Astros to even up the series, 6-2 (box)

• RHP Nolan McLean had another strong outing, allowing just one run on two hits over seven innings, walking three and striking out four; it’s McLean’s fourth straight quality start

• 1B Jared Young was the heart of the offense with a three-hit, three-RBI day, including a two-run triple in the fifth; it’s the first three-RBI performance of Young’s MLB career

• DH Juan Soto got right back to work in his return from the injured list with an RBI single in the fifth; C Francisco Álvarez added some late insurance with a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth

• 2B Marcus Semien and LF Brett Baty both had two-hit days; CF A.J. Ewing’s struggles at the plate continued with a hitless night, but he contributed to the win with a highlight play in the outfield

• RHP Daniel Duarte gave up a homer to Astros DH Yordan Álvarez in his inning of relief, but RHP Kodai Senga closed the game out with a scoreless final frame

• The Mets placed Luis Robert Jr. on waivers, although there’s a chance he goes unclaimed and remains with the Mets (MLB.com)

Roster Moves 📰

• OF Juan Soto activated from the 10-day IL

• INF Eric Wagaman optioned to Triple-A

• OF Luis Robert Jr. was placed on outright waivers

Injury Report 🩺

• RHP Devin Williams (right shoulder strain) restarted his throwing progression with a game of catch

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Play of the Game 🔥

The Mets put on a clutch-hitting clinic in the fifth.

First, Francisco Lindor doubled following an inning-opening strikeout from Francisco Álvarez. Then, after fouling a ball off his shin, Juan Soto drove in Lindor with a single to right field. Bo Bichette followed up with a fly out, but Carson Benge kept the inning alive with a two-out single.

Then, Jared Young stepped into the box.

With his team clinging to a one-run lead, Young roped an 0-2 sweeper down the right field line and into the corner for a two-run, two-out triple. The Mets didn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the night.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

ICYMI: In the latest edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich recapped a rough series against Milwaukee, discussed Sean Manaea’s recent regression, and the rumors around Andy Green and a potential landing spot as the club’s GM.

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• RHP Jonah Tong (No. 5 prospect, Triple-A): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K

• CF/RF D’Andre Smith (Triple-A): 3-for-7, HR, 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, 2 K, 2 SB

• DH Mark Vientos (Triple-A, rehab): 3-for-4, HR, 2 R, RBI

• 3B Jacob Reimer (No. 7 prospect, Double-A): 3-for-6, 2 2B, 2 BB, K

• C Julio Zayas (Single-A): 3-for-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, K

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG (Gm1 / Gm2) | Triple-A SYR (Gm1 / Gm2)

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (61-75) vs. Astros (68-68)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: LHP Zac Thornton (3-4, 2.88 ERA) vs. RHP Ethan Pecko (0-0, 7.88 ERA)

When: 3:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: NBC/Peacock

We’ll be seeing Jonah Tong again soon ✍️

Jonah Tong’s 2026 season has been a rollercoaster, but the twists and turns may have finally given way to a long-awaited smooth landing.

And after yesterday’s near-no-hitter — a one-hit shutout in the first game of a doubleheader against Lehigh Valley — and with rosters expanding on Tuesday, Tong is officially back on call-up watch.

A few days ago, SNY’s Danny Abriano wrote about the Mets taking a slower, steadier approach to Tong’s development and promotion this season, which has ultimately proved wise and necessary. Despite a less-than-stellar start to the year in the minors, the Mets brought Tong back up to the bigs for 10 quick innings in May. Working in bulk relief, Tong actually fared pretty decently against pro talent, but he issued seven walks over his very few frames. He was sent back down fairly swiftly, and almost immediately fell back into his unproductive rhythm, allowing at least three runs in five of his next six starts for Syracuse.

However, Tong’s latest efforts have been (mostly) more than satisfactory. In his seven starts before yesterday’s gem, Tong delivered a 2.65 ERA over 34 innings with 36 strikeouts and 18 walks, which includes a particularly brutal five-homer day at the beginning of August. In the 21.1 innings since then, he’s tossed 23 strikeouts against 10 walks while allowing only two runs. He hasn’t allowed a run in roughly 15 innings.

Could Tong be, as they say…back?

As with his statistical struggles, much has also been made about Tong’s proclivity for tinkering; reasonable, as they go hand-in-hand, to an extent.

Some of Tong’s struggles this season can probably be attributed to the talent level jump — “striking out the world last season for Binghamton did not mean he was going to strike out the world this season for Syracuse,” noted Abriano — but there are trackable issues that have stemmed from the frequent messing with his mix.

To expand his impact across the width of the zone, Tong lowered his arm angle by roughly 8°. That’s a mechanical adjustment that should theoretically give him a bit more lateral coverage, but also naturally had an immediate impact across his repertoire, as MLB.com’s Jared Greenspan noted in a May recap of Tong’s performance against the Reds:

• His fastball’s vertical ride and cut had decreased from 2025, both directly attributable to the lower slot. Tong’s original over-the-top delivery point was perfectly suited to elevating velocity; a loss of about two inches of induced vertical break (iVB) with double the arm-side movement tracks for such a big mechanical adjustment.

• Suddenly, Tong’s lethal 12-6 hammer curveball (with 16” of vertical drop) looked almost completely different when the Mets called him up in May, with half the plummet and nearly twice as much horizontal break towards his glove side.

• Tong’s new cutter averaged over 92 mph, which would rank among the top 20 hardest-thrown cutters by qualified righties in MLB; it still lacks the late horizontal break to consistently elicit swings, though.

As the season has progressed, so has Tong’s mastery of his mix. In his last outing before Saturday’s shutout, a five-plus-inning outing against the WooSox, Tong mixed his secondary pitches evenly behind his fastball, with his cutter, changeup, and curve seeing equivalent usage. Though his strikeout numbers weren’t gaudy, he consistently found the strike zone and kept hitters off the basepaths while using a little bit of everything. That’s encouraging.

And though yesterday’s outing featured a less-even shape distribution, Tong demonstrated another level of control over his repertoire: his fastball looked like the weapon it was last season, eliciting a 27.3% whiff rate while hitting 97 mph on the gun, and his changeup got six whiffs on eight swings. He needed just 88 pitches, and delivered 62.5% of them for strikes.

“When he’s got velo, when he fills up the strike zone, he’s good,” skipper Andy Green said recently.

Indeed.

To be clear: though signs of improvement abound recently, Tong is very much still a work in progress. While he’s allowed fewer walks in August relative to the rest of the season, he still issues too many free passes for comfort, and his reinvented pitch mix hasn’t gotten a chance to dance on the big stage just yet to know how much utility these new offerings actually have. The cutter was very much a fledgling offering when he flashed it earlier this season, and it’s a shape he’s clearly still cracking the code of, even as results start to break through.

But if his fastball and changeup continue to operate at full force whenever he does get the call, that should provide enough of a foundation for the pitching coaches to coax the most out of him over the final weeks of the regular season. If they can help Tong find the best version of himself at this stage of his development, with infinitely lower stakes than in his rushed debut, this next call-up could prove vital to his taking the next step in his evolution as a pitcher.

The Mets’ youth movement has kept this team interesting for most of this season, despite it being lost so early. Whether Tong is deployed as a starter, a bulk reliever, or another surprise shutdown bullpen addition, there’s reason for fans to keep paying attention to this all-but-lost season — and, hopefully, to feel some cautious optimism about the not-so-distant future.

Around the League 🚩

• Pete Crow-Armstrong had the first three-homer game of his career, powering the Cubs to a 17-5 drubbing of the Reds

• Reds rookie phenom Sal Stewart hit his 30th homer of the year, making him just the second rookie in franchise history with a 30-homer season (Frank Robinson, ‘58), and the only Cincy rookie to ever compile a 30 HR/100 RBI campaign

• Philly’s Christoper Sánchez secured his second-straight 200 K season with eight strikeouts over seven shutout innings against the Angels; the Phillies would go on to win 4-2

• Atlanta southpaw Martín Pérez held the Rockies to a single run over 5 2/3 innings, leading the Braves to a sixth-straight win, 2-1

• The Giants retired Hall of Famer Jeff Kent’s No. 21 in a ceremony attended by Barry Bonds, Juan Marichal, Dusty Baker, and more

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• The Mets dropped the opening game of the series to the Astros by a score of 3-1 at Citi Field on Friday night (box)

• RHP Christian Scott held the Astros to just one hit through five innings before imploding in the sixth, loading the bases with three straight walks. His final line: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

• LHP Nate Lavender allowed the three inherited runs to score, before RHP Jonathan Pintaro, RHP Dedniel Núñez, and RHP Kodai Senga combined for three innings of scoreless relief

• The offense did nothing yet again and finished with just five hits, with RF Carson Benge’s RBI double in the fourth inning the Mets’ only run of the game

• The Mets have now lost three straight and have scored just four runs over that span, while also going a combined 2-for-16 with RISP, including finishing 0-for-4 on Friday night

Roster Moves 📰

• RHP Chris Devenski selected to the Major League roster

• RHP Xzavion Curry optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

• INF Jorge Polanco transferred to the 60-Day Injured List

Injury Report 🩺

• INF Jorge Polanco successfully underwent ankle surgery this week and will be in a “baseball progression” in spring training in 2027

• OF Juan Soto (left calf strain) is edging closer to a return and the team will see how he feels on Saturday following another work day on Friday. It isn’t expected that Soto will need a rehab assignment before coming back

• RHP Devin Williams (right shoulder strain) hasn’t started a throwing progression yet but is expected to in the coming days, and the Mets hope to have the closer back before the end of the season

• INF Mark Vientos (fractured right hand) went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in his latest rehab assignment for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday

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Play of the Game 🙃

The Mets have started to hit a skid offensively over the last few games, and that continued to be the case on Friday night.

Largely shut down by Houston starter Hunter Brown, who was excellent on the night, the Mets did strike first thanks to Carson Benge’s long double in the fourth inning.

Then, in the fifth inning, the Mets had a real opportunity to add on to their lead after Marcus Semien and Luis Torrens both got on base with singles. With runners on the corners and just one out, A.J. Ewing stepped to the plate with the chance to do some real damage.

Instead, the young outfielder weakly grounded out into just his second double play of the year, prolonging his own struggles at the plate with the rookie hitting just .158/.231/.200/.431 over his last 24 games.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich recapped a rough series against Milwaukee, discussed Sean Manaea’s recent regression, and the rumors around Andy Green and a potential landing spot as the club’s GM.

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• SS Ronny Mauricio (Triple-A Syracuse): 3-for-4, 1 R

• CF Chris Suero (No. 18 prospect, Double-A): 2-for-4, 1 R, 4 RBIs, HR

• SS Marco Vargas (Double-A): 3-for-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB

• CF Yonatan Henriquez (High-A): 3-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1 BB, 1 2B

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (60-75) vs. Astros (68-67)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: RHP Nolan McLean (9-8, 3.21 ERA) vs. LHP Bennett Sousa (1-3, 6.27 ERA)

When: 4:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Carson Benge could be this team’s heart and soul ✍️

I’m going to get straight to the point and keep today’s editorial very short and sweet.

Carson Benge is already becoming my favorite Met to root for.

The rookie is just electric to watch and, more importantly, he plays the game the right way.

In a play from Friday’s stinker of a loss that probably won’t get too much attention, Benge sprinted 30.2 feet/second in an effort to beat out an infield hit.

Now, the effort failed and it probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway given that the Mets offered nothing offensively for a third straight game.

However, at least to me anyway, the play mattered a lot and it also spoke volumes about Benge the player.

Listen, I get there will be people that will scream that Benge was only doing what all players should be doing and that we shouldn’t be showering anyone with praise for showing some hustle. Then again, I know how upset some folks get when Juan Soto doesn’t hustle at all - and rightly so - and, sadly, players busting it down the line is hardly a given in today’s game.

Therefore, I am going to praise Benge for showing some fight last night. Again, in a 3-1 game in a lost season, not too many players would have busted a gut in that situation. But Benge did because I think it is crystal clear that he really cares, and I don’t think it has anything to do with him trying to impress as a rookie. I mean, let’s face it, he’s done enough impressing already.

No, I really do feel that Benge knows what it means to play for the Mets, knows what it means to play baseball in New York, and I think he just deeply loves the game.

That’s evident whenever you see him play.

He gives it his absolute all every time he’s out on the field.

Whether it’s coming up with big hits - like his RBI double in last night’s game - or making highlight-reel plays in the field, Benge does everything with a lot of heart, a lot of spirit, and a lot of swagger.

Watching Benge ascend reminds me of when Pete Alonso burst onto the scene in 2019. And, no, I’m not comparing Benge to Alonso because they are two very different players. With that said, however, Alonso instantly won his place in the hearts of all Mets fans because of how he played the game and the joy he showed, and I feel as if Benge is doing exactly the same.

It is so easy to root for Benge because he plays the game the way it should be played - with a kid-like spirit and a huge smile on his face.

Plus, although it was just one small, insignificant play, if Benge continues to hustle even when it doesn’t matter, then I have no doubt that he will eventually morph into the very heart and soul of this team. Just like Alonso did.

So, while his rookie season probably won’t end with the NL Rookie of the Year - come on, the Reds’ Sal Stewart has 29 home runs and 102 RBIs - Benge is ticking all the right boxes and proving that not only could he be a great player for the Mets, but also that he can be the type of player Mets fans are proud to root for.

Around the League 🚩

• RHP Cam Schlittler recorded his 200th career strikeout and tossed 5.2 innings of scoreless ball to lift the Yankees to a 1-0 win over the Red Sox

• In his return to Detroit, LHP Tarik Skubal struck out seven over six innings of one-run ball as the Dodgers beat the Tigers, 2-1

• Reds rookie 1B Sal Stewart’s magical rookie year continued as he hit his 29th homer and recorded his 102 RBI in a wild 10-8 win over the Cubs

• Down to the final out, Phillies PH Edmundo Sosa’s grand slam lifted his team to a dramatic 5-3 win over the Angels

• RHP Dylan Cease strengthened his Cy Young case with eight strike outs and six innings of one-run ball in the Blue Jays’ 8-1 win over the Mariners

• RHP Logan Henderson allowed just one run over seven stellar innings as the Brewers beat the Rangers, 6-1

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• The Mets were blown out in the finale against the Brewers by a score of 8-2 (box)

• LHP Sean Manaea put the team in an early hole against young phenom RHP Jacob Misiorowski. Manaea’s final line was 5.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

• RHP Xzavion Curry was tagged for two runs in 2.1 IP

• The Mets only had three hits coming off the bats of Luis Robert Jr., Jared Young, and Christopher Morel

• Interim manager Andy Green could be fit for the GM role if he does indeed return to the front office (SNY)

Roster Moves 📰

• RHP Xzavion Curry was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.

• RHP Chayce McDermott was optioned to Triple-A

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Play of the Game 🙃

LF Jackson Chourio had a big day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with four runs scored, 4 RBIs, and 2 home runs. His first big blow came in the second inning with the Mets already down 2-0. He contributed to that early lead when he singled to lead off and eventually came around to score the game’s first run on an RBI single by Andrew Vaughn.

He doubled Milwaukee’s lead with a two-run blast in the second with two outs. Manaea had gotten the first two outs of the inning, but then a bunt single and a blast essentially put the game out of reach. Runs were always going to be hard to come by with Jacob Misiorowski on the mound, so a 4-0 lead felt insurmountable. The Brewers added on runs later on in the game, but it was those two runs that ultimately ended up being the game-winning runs.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In the latest edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich recapped a rough series against Milwaukee, discussed Sean Manaea’s recent regression, and the rumors around Andy Green and a potential landing spot as the club’s GM.

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• SS Elian Peña (No. 3 prospect, High-A): 2-for-4, R, 2 RBIs, 2 K

• CF Aiden Robbins (No. 10 prospect, High-A): 2-for-3, HR, 2B, R, RBI, BB

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG (PPD) | Triple-A SYR (PPD)

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (60-74) vs. Astros (67-67)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: RHP Christian Scott (4-3, 3.73 ERA) vs. RHP Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.51 ERA)

When: 7:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Jared Young has earned his keep with the Mets ✍️

It’s no secret things have gone horribly wrong for the Mets this season, perhaps most glaringly at first base.

David Stearns let Pete Alonso walk, which was certainly a questionable decision, although not really that surprising considering what had happened the previous winter. It’s clear this front office didn’t want Alonso; they were looking to move on the first time Alonso hit free agency after the 2024 season, and the Mets had no interest in entertaining even a medium-term contract for Alonso at any point.

Perhaps more questionably though was the backup plan, if that’s what you want to call it. That which was signing a DH with no first base experience in tandem with Mark Vientos, the latter of which was never a good idea to begin with considering he was a fractional third baseman with next to no experience at first base, either. It’s hard to get angry with poor Jorge Polanco, who was a square peg signed to fill a round hole. On top of that, he has been battling an Achilles injury all season long, and his future with the team is very much up in the air, although he is owed $20 million for the 2027 season, which will make it hard for the Mets to cut bait with him.

Vientos has equally been a disaster, hitting just .211/.256/.388 with an OPS of .644 and an absolute mess at first base. Although again, this wasn’t entirely unpredictable either. He fractured his right hand after he was hit on the hand with a pitch during a game in July, but as it turns out, the Mets have been a lot better without him than they were with him, which again, is not really all that surprising. Vientos is currently rehabbing, and he is getting closer to being ready, but manager Andy Green recently said that Vientos would have to earn his playing time once he does make his return to the big league club. It makes sense for the Mets to wait until rosters expand next week before bringing Vientos back, which they have to since he is out of options.

That is probably due in large part to the play of Jared Young, who has been one of this lost season’s pleasant surprises. Overall, Young is hitting .268/.330/.440 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs in 85 games this season.

The Mets signed Young after he played in the KBO and spent most of 2025 in the minor leagues. With injuries and underperformance, he has been given an opportunity to play every day, and he seized his chance. He currently leads the active roster with a .770 OPS and was one of three Mets who managed to get a hit against Jacob Misiorowski during Thursday night’s lopsided loss.

The Mets shouldn’t stand pat with Young going forward, as good as he’s been. He should remain with the team; he has earned his keep for sure and should be one of the first basemen on this team in 2027, but they still aren’t close to being whole at the position. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Mets should completely replace Young, especially with no good options in free agency available to them this winter. They’re going to need to make a trade for a right-handed first baseman at least and use that player in a righty/lefty platoon with Young next season. That could allow them to allocate more resources elsewhere on other positions that are in need of upgrading or perhaps on a premiere Cy Young-winning free agent.

Remember too that Young isn’t a first baseman by trade. He is mostly an outfielder who was thrown into the fire at first base because things were so bad for the Mets there in the post-Alonso era. It’s worked out well and he’s hit, for sure, but that’s more accidental than expected, to be fair.

In a season with plenty of negatives, the Mets need to find some positives, and Young right now is one of them. Hopefully, next season, he can bring continued stability to first base in whatever role they have for him.

Around the League 🚩

• MLB proposed a short free agency window similiar to the NFL and NBA in their latest proposal during CBA negotations (ESPN)

• Tampa city officials approved a $2.3 billion deal for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark funded by public and private money (ESPN)

• RHP Chris Sale pitched a complete game shutout against the Dodgers to help the Braves finish off the sweep against Los Angeles

• Pope Leo XIV was gifted the White Sox Pope Hat that was team gave as a giveaway earlier in the month (ESPN)

• Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is hopeful he will be able to return in September without a rehab assignment (MLB.com)

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• The Mets were beat around in an 8-1 loss to the Brewers at Citi Field on Wednesday night (box)

• RHP Robert Stock did not have a good night on the mound and was shelled for seven earned runs on 10 hits with two walks and two strikeouts across four innings

• RHP Chayce McDermott, LHP Jefry Yan, and RHP Dedniel Núñez combined to allow just one earned run over five innings out of the bullpen

• C Francisco Alvarez’s RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning was the only run the Mets could muster, with the offense being completely shutdown by the Brewers pitching. The Mets went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine runners stranded on base

• CF A.J. Ewing stole two bases on the night to give him 21 steals on the season, which is just the fourth time a Mets rookie has stolen 20 or more bases in a single season

• Interim manager Andy Green could be fit for the GM role if he does indeed return to the front office (SNY)

Injury Report 🩺

• 3B Bo Bichette left the game in the fifth inning with a left foot contusion. X-rays came back negative, and the Mets are hoping he will be fine

• OF Juan Soto (left calf strain) took live batting practice on Wednesday, as well as playing catch and running the bases at Citi Field. A return this season is still the aim

• INF Mark Vientos (fractured right hand) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs, and a home run in his latest rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday

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Play of the Game 🙃

The Brewers did what they do best by excelling at small ball on Wednesday night. The visiting team strung together six consecutive singles to build a 4-0 lead early.

Then, going into the fourth inning and with Mets starter Robert Stock already on the ropes, the Brewers delivered the knockout blow.

With runners on the corners and one out, Brice Turang smacked a three-run homer to right-center to blow the game wide open and seal the Mets’ fate on a night where very little went right.

The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

ICYMI: In the latest edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Andrew and Rich recap a .500 week for the Mets as they came back down to reality this past weekend in Chicago, and talk about how things look for the club moving forward.

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• 1B Billy Amick (Triple-A): 3-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBIs, 2 HR

• RF MJ Melendez (Triple-A): 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B

• SS Elian Peña (No. 3 prospect, High-A): 1-for-5, 2 R, 1 BB

• 2B Trey Snyder (High-A): 2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBIs, 1 SB

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU (PPD) | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (60-73) vs. Brewers (82-51)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: LHP Sean Manaea (4-5, 4.31 ERA) vs. RHP Jacob Misiorowski (13-5, 1.68 ERA)

When: 7:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Another reminder why the Mets need to take less risk with pitching ✍️

Wednesday was just one of those nights where nothing went right for the Mets.

The starting pitching sucked, the offense was lifeless, and Bo Bichette got hurt, although he seems to have avoided any real damage. Outside of A.J. Ewing showing some speed on the bases, there wasn’t a whole lot to be impressed about in the lopsided loss to the Brewers.

I mean, the fact that Brewers lefty Robert Gasser was able to come in cold and shut down the Mets lineup after starter Dustin May got hurt on the first pitch he threw probably says it all.

And pitching is going to be the theme of the day because last night served as another sobering reminder as to why president of baseball operations David Stearns needs to step out of his comfort zone this coming offseason.

Owner Steve Cohen spoke the other week about taking less risks, and that’s certainly got to be the case when it comes to constructing the starting rotation.

Robert Stock was on the mound for the second game of the series against the Brewers, and he was just awful. Seven earned runs on 10 hits is the headline, obviously, but Stock just wasn’t able to contain Milwaukee’s clever lineup and he gave up six straight singles at one point.

It was the second time in his last four starts that Stock had allowed seven or more earned runs. And, while he gave up just one earned run over his previous two starts before Wednesday, Stock has pitched five innings just once. It is clear at this point that he shouldn’t be in consideration for a starting role in 2027.

And therein lies the rub.

Following two years of starting pitching dooming this team, Stearns must abandon his philosophy of trying to turn projects into gold and instead add more established arms to the rotation for next season. That shouldn’t even be an argument at this point.

We know that Nolan McLean will likely complete his journey to being the team’s ace in 2027, and both Christian Scott and Zac Thornton have also earned big roles too. But, outside of those three, the rest of the rotation is in flux.

Jonah Tong has been so up and down - mostly down, if we’re being honest - in the minors this year that it is hard to know if he’s going to be ready to contribute at the Major League level on a consistent basis in 2027. The same applies to Jack Wenninger. Sean Manaea was becoming the story of the season thanks to an unexpected resurgence, but his struggles have returned after giving up four earned runs in each of his last two starts. We will see how tonight goes for the veteran.

In any case, there will be more reliable and cost-effective options out there than Manaea, and I still wouldn’t be quick to rule out a reunion with Clay Holmes. The now-former Met and current Cub is exactly the type of proven, solid, reliable arm that Stearns should be targeting this offseason.

If Padres starter Michael King decides to opt out, then he would be another excellent option to help shore up the rotation. With a 3.20 ERA in 72 games as a full-time starter, King would tick a lot of boxes for the Mets, including an ability to go deep in games.

Furthermore, it is important for the front office to surround McLean, Scott, and Thornton with veteran arms that can help win on the field, while also offering support and guidance off it. I don’t think that part of the equation should be undersold.

Of course, it is entirely possible that Cohen decides the perfect remedy to another lost season is to go out and make a major splash by signing Tarik Skubal. That would obviously change the entire outlook for the Mets in terms of starting pitching, and would take a lot of the pressure away from the young arms set to have a major role in 2027.

Regardless, the starting rotation, as seems to be the case every year, needs a lot of work and Stearns can’t afford to stick to his same script by pinning all of his hopes on potential undiscovered gems. That strategy has burned him more often than not, and it can’t be allowed to happen again in 2027.

With all due respect to Stock, the Mets need to move away from the unproven and instead focus on tried-and-tested arms that can help make this rotation a formidable one led by the young guns. That was hammered home yet again on Wednesday night.

Around the League 🚩

• Reds rookie 1B Sal Stewart became the first player to record 100 RBIs this season, while becoming the first rookie since Pete Alonso in 2019 to reach the 100 RBIs mark

• White Sox LF Tristan Peters homered for the fifth straight game with a two-run blast in a 10-4 win over the Rangers, tying the franchise record for most consecutive games with a homer

• Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber became the first player to join the 40-homer club this year with a three-run shot in a 6-0 win over the Mariners, also recording his 380th career home run in the process

• PH Ha-Seong Kim was the hero with a walk-off single to lift the Braves to a 6-5 win over the Dodgers

• LF Cody Bellinger’s two-run double helped the Yankees to beat the Astros 9-3

• 2B Connor Norby hit a seventh inning grand slam to propel the Rockies to a 13-1 win over the Nationals

• The Reds scored seven runs in a wild ninth inning to come from behind to beat the Giants 10-9, with the Giants now leading MLB with 11 losses when leading in the ninth

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