Mets explode offensively in statement win over Chicago
The Mets took the first game of the series against the Cubs thanks to a lot of power. Plus, the lineup flashed its true potential on Friday night...
What’s up with the Mets? ⚾
The Mets got the homestand off to a great start by beating the Cubs 7-2 at Citi Field on Friday night (box | highlights)
RHP Clay Holmes allowed his first home run of the season but was solid enough, allowing just one earned run on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts across six innings
SS Francisco Lindor made a big-time play in the field and led off the game with a home run in the bottom of the first
3B Brett Baty and DH Jeff McNeil both hit homers in the second as the Mets benefitted from a real power surge
RF Juan Soto blasted a 434ft no-doubter in the fourth for his third homer in his last two games. He finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, two RBIs and a walk
The Mets stole three bases and recorded 13 hits - 12 of which came with two strikes - in a deadly display of offense by the lineup
All nine batters had recorded at least one hit by the fifth inning in what was just an all-round complete performance in Queens
Injury Updates 🏥
LHP A.J. Minter (torn left lat muscle) will undergo season-ending surgery next Monday and will be out for 10-12 months
LHP Sean Manaea (right oblique strain) is now throwing from 120 feet and is feeling good
RHP Frankie Montas (high-grade right lat strain) threw another bullpen session on Friday and will now progress to facing live batters next week
RHP Paul Blackburn (knee inflammation) is scheduled for another rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday
Who’s Hot? 🔥
RF Juan Soto now has three home runs in his last two games, 11 multi-hit games this season, and he’s hitting .313/.433/.708/.1.142 with five homers, 12 runs scored, seven RBIs and 11 walks over his last 13 games
Over his last six games, SS Francisco Lindor is hitting .308/.379/.615/.995 with four runs scored, two doubles, two home runs, nine RBIs and three stolen bases
After a tough few outings, RHP Ryne Stanek now hasn’t allowed a run in his last four outings, giving up just one hit with no walks and three strikeouts in that span
C Francisco Alvarez is hitting .385/.467/.385/.851 over his last four games
Play of the Game 🌟
Francisco Lindor really set the tone for what was a statement win with two big plays in the first inning.
In the bottom of the first, with one out and the dangerous Kyle Tucker in a 2-2 count, Lindor darted towards a problematic chopper and made a stunning play with his barehand, before executing the throw to first to get Tucker out and keep the bases empty.
It was an elite defensive play that set the tone for what was to come. And Lindor followed that up with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first, perhaps inspired by his new walk-up song ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
Lindor’s fingerprints can be found all over Friday night’s win, and the electric shortstop continues to be the straw that stirs the drink for this team.
Down on the Farm 🌾
RHP Nolan McLean (No. 5 prospect, Triple-A): 7.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
CF Drew Gilbert (No. 10 prospect, Triple-A): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR
CF Carson Benge (No. 3 prospect, High-A): 2-for-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR
OF A.J. Ewing (No. 27 prospect, High-A): 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 3B, 1 HR
1B Trace Willhoite (Single-A): 2-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR
BOX SCORES
Single-A STL | High-A BRK (GM 1 | GM 2) | Double-A BNG (PPD) | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (25-14) vs. Cubs (22-17)
Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP Tylor Megill (3-2, 2.50 ERA) vs. RHP Brad Keller (0-0, 3.78 ERA)
When: 7:15 PM EDT
Where to Watch: FOX
Mets deliver a real statement as offense clicks in explosive fashion … ✍️
Citi Field was the place to be on Friday night.
The Mets delivered a real statement by dismantling a very good Cubs team, flexing all of their offensive might for the first real time this season.
While Clay Holmes deserves a lot of credit for producing a third-quality start and continuing his seamless transition to a full-time starter, the story of this game was the offense.
For arguably the first real time in 2025, we saw the true potential of this lineup when it is operating at the peak of its powers.
The entire lineup was relentless from start to finish, with every batter recording a hit before the fifth inning. In total, the offense piled on 13 hits.
Of course, key to the win was the fact that the Mets struck early and often. Leading the way was Francisco Lindor because, who else? The sensational shortstop set the tone for what was to come with a breathtaking barehanded defensive play in the first, again reminding everyone of just how elite his glove really is.
Lindor then did more Lindor things by backing up his own heroics with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, delivering two hammer blows to the Cubs in quick succession and setting the table for what was to come. As much as this was a total team effort, Lindor deserves a plethora of credit and praise for how he set his team up for success in this one.
Brett Baty, getting another chance to prove why he belongs in the big leagues, went yard in the second, soon followed by Jeff McNeil, with those quick strikes stunning Chicago and giving New York a 3-0 cushion in the process. In order to beat the best - and indeed be the best - you need contributions from up and down your lineup. Baty and McNeil both blasting home runs in such quick succession not only gave the Mets all the momentum, but we saw firsthand how dangerous this lineup can be when everyone is clicking.
Speaking of, Juan Soto continued his recent surge with another big night at the plate. The outfielder hit a mammoth home run in the bottom of the fourth, answering right back after Kyle Tucker had gotten Chicago on the board with a homer of his own in the top of the inning. Soto then followed that up with a piece of sensational hitting to score Lindor on an RBI single in the eighth, adding on an insurance run and effectively sealing the deal.
It was just an impressive display across the board from this lineup. They were aggressive all night, stealing three bases while keeping the pressure on the Cubs’ pitching staff all game. Some aggressive base running in the third led to Dansby Swanson flubbing a double-play opportunity, allowing two runners to score.
This was exactly how we envisioned the offense when it was put together during the winter. A high-octane lineup that pummels the opposition into submission, and one that can score runs in a variety of ways.
Don’t forget that 12 of the Mets’ 13 hits came with two strikes. That is a staggering stat, and also proof that this lineup will trick pitchers into thinking they’ve got the upper hand, before storming back and beating them down on the way to delivering a monster hit.
Those kinds of tough at-bats are the true hallmark of any good lineup.
And, thanks to a complete game by this lineup, the Mets sent out a real statement of intent. Yes, it is just one game. And, yes, the Cubs will no doubt bounce back this weekend because they are that good. But this was an impressive win as you can get in May.
With Holmes holding the Cubs - who entered the game leading MLB in runs per game - to just one run, to solid defense across the board, to aggression on the basepaths, and clutch hits, the Mets bullied and outplayed Chicago in every way imaginable.
Plus, with the red-hot Soto and the ever-elite Lindor leading the way, we saw just how potent and dynamic this lineup can be when everyone - and everything - is clicking as it should be.
That’s the biggest takeaway from Friday night, and it is one that should send a lot of fear into the rest of the league.
Around the League 🚩
The Dodgers were trailing the Diamondbacks 11-8 after eight innings, only for DH Shohei Ohtani to deliver a three-run bomb to seal a wild 14-11 win
OF Jasson Domínguez became the youngest Yankee ever to record a three-homer game as New York beat the A’s, 10-2
Members of the Red Sox ownership and front office met with DH Rafael Devers on Friday, after Devers expressed his unhappiness at being asked to play first base
LHP Tarik Skubal was dominant again, setting a Tigers record for 32 whiffs, and the most by an MLB pitcher since 2023, as red-hot Detroit beat Texas, 2-1
C Freddy Fermin hit a walk-off RBI single to help the Royals beat the Red Sox, 2-1 on Friday night
RHP Erick Fedde threw his first career complete game as the Cardinals shutout the Nationals, 10-0
The Padres posted season highs in hits and runs in a 13-9 win over the Rockies, who have now been outscored 61-24 over a seven-game losing streak
Complete win yesterday. We played a really, really good ballgame.
Great all around performance except for Nunez who needs to go back to Syracuse. Interesting to see Baty start for Vientos but it makes sense and paid off. Soto is heating up!