Another typical loss & one last chance for the NL East
The offense struggled and there were too many walks. Plus. it's now or never if the Mets still want to be a factor in the NL East
What’s up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets failed to complete a weekend sweep in Atlanta, falling to the Braves 4-3 on Sunday afternoon (box)
LHP David Peterson started for the Mets and was solid, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks in 5.2 innings, while punching out eight
Mark Vientos stayed hot for the Mets, homering for the 3rd time in the last two days
In a tie game in the bottom of the 8th, LHP Gregory Soto allowed a crushing two-run, two-out, bases loaded single to Jurickson Profar that proved to be the difference
The Mets walked five batters on the afternoon, went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left ten runners on-base
After leaving a game with Washington due to a stiff neck four days ago, Brandon Nimmo returned to action to pinch-hit late in the game on Sunday
The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️
Listen to this week’s Just Mets Podcast as Rich MacLeod is joined by super fan and YouTuber Tyler Ward, host of the WardyNYM show. They react to the Mets disappointing road trip and the road ahead as they look to make a dent in the race to win the NL East…
Playoff Race 🏁
The Phillies beat the Nationals on Sunday, pushing their lead over the Mets in the NL East back to seven games.
Meanwhile in Phoenix, the Reds beat the Diamondbacks to pull within 1.5 of the Mets for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Per FanGraphs, the Mets have an 86.4% chance of making the 2025 playoffs.
Who’s Hot? 🥵
Mark Vientos now has a seven-game hitting streak, during which he is hitting .357/.400/.958 with two doubles, five home runs, and 11 RBI with 10 hits and six runs scored
In 21 games in August, Francisco Lindor is hitting .360/.444/.616 with seven doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI with 31 hits and 20 runs scored
David Peterson has pitched into the sixth inning or later in 20 of his 25 starts this season. In 46 starts and 271 IP since May 29 last year, Peterson owns a 3.06 ERA
Play of the Game ⭐️
The biggest play of this game clearly occurred in the 8th inning, when with two outs and the bases loaded, Atlanta’s Jurickson Profar delivered a two run tiebreaking hit against Mets lefty Gregory Soto. The knock gave the Braves a 4-2 lead at the time, and despite allowing a run in the 9th, Atlanta would hang out to secure the win.
Down on the Farm 🌾
RHP Brandon Sproat (No. 5 Prospect, Triple-A): 3.2 IP, 7 R, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K
OF Jared Young (Triple-A): 3-for-5, 2 HR, 2B, 2 RBI
IF Jacob Reimer (No. 6 Prospect, Double-A): 3-for-5, HR, 3B, 3 RBI
BOX SCORES
Single-A STL | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (69-61) vs Phillies (76-54)
Where: Citi Field -Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP Kodai Senga (7-5, 2.58 ERA) vs. LHP Christopher Sanchez (11-4, 2.46 ERA)
When: 7:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
It’s now or never for the Mets in the NL East… ✍️
Yesterday was just so typical of the Mets, wasn’t it?
Too many walks, too many runners left stranded, too many empty at-bats with runners in scoring position.
That’s not to say the Mets pitched terribly. They were okay - the walks killed them but they otherwise pitched well enough for most teams to win. After all, they had a 2-0 lead, the game was 2-2 into the eighth, but they just couldn’t command the strike zone well enough and couldn’t come up with a lot of offense, especially in the middle and latter part of the game. Again.
So instead of coming home with a 4-2 road trip after stinking it up in Washington, they had to settle for 3-3.
Once again, it was a very typical day for these Mets, who are 24-37 since June 13. For the math experts, that’s a 63-99 pace over 162 games.
Not exactly playoff caliber.
Anyway, the Phillies have a seven-game lead on the Mets with 32 games to go. And they are in town for a three-game series against the Mets this week before hosting them for four games next week in Philadelphia.
It’s not quite the same as seven with 17 to go, but it’s certainly comparably daunting—and relevant given the two teams involved especially since the Mets are showing no real evidence they will suddenly become the team they are on paper.
A month ago the Mets and Phillies looked poised to take the NL East race down to the wire here in 2025, but thanks to an abysmal stretch covering the first few weeks of August, the Mets have almost taken themselves out of the division race.
Keyword, almost.
The two bitter rivals still have seven head-to-head games remaining, which means the Mets still have an opportunity to make this really interesting, although they pretty much need to go 6-1 against them over the next week if not run the table against the Phillies to have a prayer at the division.
And certainly at Citi Field, this is basically a must-sweep three-game set against the Phillies for that to happen.
And it begins tonight.
Kodai Senga has not looked like himself since returning from his short stint on the IL, but if there was ever a time for him to look like the dominant ace we know he can be, it is right here, right now.
Despite failing to finish the sweep in Atlanta, the Mets headed home with some positives in tow.
Mark Vientos finally looks like the 2024 version of himself.
Francisco Lindor is killing it this month.
Brandon Nimmo returned to action following a short absence with a stiff neck.
Nolan McLean continues to look like the real deal, and the Mets might not be done calling up their pitching prospects with Brandon Sproat looking likely to arrive at some point soon, with Jonah Tong perhaps not too far behind him.
This is a long shot to say the least, and the Mets are currently much closer to missing the playoffs entirely than they are to making an impact in the divisional race.
But why not make things interesting? That’ll be up to them and whether or not they show up over the next week against their big rival.
Around the League 🚩
RHP Paul Skenes tossed seven scoreless frames and struck out seven in the Pirates 4-0 blanking of the Rockies
Gunnar Henderson had two hits including a home run in the Orioles 3-2 win over the Astros
Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia both homered in the Royals 10-8 win in Detroit
Merrill Kelly tossed seven scoreless innings in the Rangers 5-0 win over Cleveland
Inability to turn the double play cost the Mets. Plus relievers inability to get first guy out.
It would be a mistake to call up Sproat. He has shown that he needs time to adjust to new surroundings, a new role. Not saying he wont be ready come next year, but a month ago might have been better. Dont have time for him to struggle for three appearances now. Tong on the other hand, might be the guy. Why the Mets pushed the start, since everyone has got used to pitching with the extra days rest.. Now you Senga, not at his best already, pitching on regular rest.
Once again Mets handling of staff is baffling.
And add Frankie Montas to the Jed Lowrie list of players signed who contributed less than nothing to the team.
It's hard to sweep, especially when you have to win that Sunday afternoon game. Not a total excuse, but that's how it is. The Mets did win 2/3 and the Reds lost 2/3. Gained a game.
Still, come on. It's time to come back and win after being down late. Had a prime opportunity there.