Mets 8-run frame vaults them back into first place, and Escobar could help keep them there
The Mets take first place back from Atlanta thanks to an eight-run inning in Miami. Plus, how an Eduardo Escobar hot September could be an X-factor.
What’s Up with the Mets? 🗽
The Mets offense got back on track as they routed the Marlins 11-3 for the win in Miami (box)
New York scored eight runs in the 4th inning, their highest output of the season, capped by a grand slam from LF Mark Canha
The grand slam was the first of Canha’s career, coming on his 93rd career home run
SS Francisco Lindor and 3B Eduardo Escobar added solo home runs of their own later in the game
RHP Carlos Carrasco pitched much more effectively in his second start off the IL, allowing just one run with no walks and six strikeouts over six innings
Prior to the game, the Mets finally called up 7th ranked prospect Mark Vientos to the big league club
The Braves lost in Seattle on Saturday night, once again giving the Mets sole possession of first place in the NL East by 0.5 games
Roster Moves 📰
RF Starling Marte placed on 10-day injured list, retroactive to September 7th
1B/3B Mark Vientos called up from Triple-A Syracuse
Injury Updates 🏥
Drew Smith (right lat strain) began a rehab assignment on Saturday in Double-A, allowing a hit with two strikeouts in an inning of work
Luis Guillorme (oblique strain) is scheduled to play again in Triple-A today and could rejoin the roster soon after
Starling Marte (fractured finger) was finally placed on the injured list after missing four games after being hit in the hand by a pitch
Who’s Hot 🔥
Eduardo Escobar is hitting .524/.546/.857 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and a 1.403 OPS on this road trip
Over his last nine games, James McCann is batting .360/.448/.440 with two doubles, an RBI, four walks, six runs scored and an .888 OPS
The Pennant Race 🏁
NL East lead: 0️⃣.5️⃣ games
Magic Number to win NL East: 2️⃣3️⃣
Playoff odds (Fangraphs)
Win the National League East: 64.8 percent ⬆️
Clinch a first round bye: 64.7 percent ⬆️
Win the World Series: 15.8 percent ⬆️
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (88-52) at Marlins (57-81)
Where: loanDepot Park — Miami, Florida
Starters: RHP Taijuan Walker (10-4, 3.60 ERA) vs. RHP Jesús Luzardo (3-6, 3.36 ERA)
When: 1:40 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
Eduardo Escobar staying hot in September could be a major key for this team 📝
In a frustrating first season with the Mets, things are sure looking good for Eduardo Escobar right now.
It’s been a year of starts-and-stops for Escobar, who really hadn’t been able to put together a sustainable hot streak at any point prior to the month of September. In fact, Escobar’s only month this season where he had an OPS over .800 was in April, when it was .805 for the first 21 games of the season.
From May 1st through the end of August, Escobar hit .209/.239/.373 with 11 home runs, 14 doubles, 39 RBI, 82 strikeouts and a .612 OPS over an 85-game stretch. What had been more alarming than anything was his massive drop in power production, as this was a player the Mets envisioned would provide a lot more pop at the corner infield position. Prior to this year, Escobar had been averaging 26 home runs over his last five full seasons. This season, entering September, Escobar was sitting on just 12 long balls.
Ever since returning from the injured list, though, things have completely changed for Escobar and man, could this Mets lineup really use that right now.
In 13 games since coming off the IL, Escobar is hitting .405/.435/.738 with four home runs, two doubles, 8 RBI and a 1.173 OPS. Up until the last few games, this had been a Mets offense that was struggling mightily to put any runs on the board so for Escobar to come through the way he has lately has been nothing less than a godsend for this lineup.
“You talk about a guy who has risen like a phoenix,” Gary Cohen said during Saturday night’s broadcast. “Eduardo Escobar was basically written off. He had fallen into a platoon with Luis Guillorme, and later with Brett Baty…”
Perhaps that stint on the injured list was exactly what Escobar needed, giving him some time away to reset mentally and get some extended rest.
“Escobar is the kind of player that teams go to get for August and September to help their team get over the hump,” Ron Darling said.
If this is truly the Eduardo Escobar we’ve been waiting for this whole season and this is his September coming out party, that would certainly be huge for the Mets who are in a dog fight to win the National League East.
Down on the Farm 🌾
Dom Smith (1B, Triple-A): 2-for-4, HR (6), 2B, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored
Ronny Mauricio (SS, No. 6 Prospect, Double-A): 0-for-3, BB, K
Carlos Cortes (2B, Double-A): 1-for-4, HR (10), 2 RBI
Box Scores: Triple-A | Double-A | Single-A (PPD) | Low-A
Around the League 🚩
The Braves lost a game (no, really) and relinquished first place in the NL East after holding it for one day
Angels CF Mike Trout set a franchise record, homering in his sixth consecutive game as the club defeated the Astros 6-1
The Yankees struck back against the Rays, thanks to a six-run first inning
The Dodgers beat up on the Padres, winning 8-4 and reducing their magic number to clinch the NL West to five