What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
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
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
Why consign Morabito to 4th outfielder status? If (yes, it's a big if) he can hit, play him regularly and make Soto the DH. The team is more important than Soto's hurt feelings.
Devenski is not a major league pitcher, sorry.. Young did not have a good game...bad bunt & blowing a run down. That's 1963 Mets stuff. Morabito played very well in field & at plate. Semien has warning track power....5 times this week he's hit ball to edge of track...mis he trying to hit homers??? He's flaming out....he'll be totally ineffective next year....stop hoping