What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
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
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...
SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
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
Old joke about Mets pitching from early on ... guy says, "did you see the Mets scored 20 runs today? Other guy says, "did they win?" 🤣
The Mets and Marlins often have wild games, but not quite that wild.
Morrell at first base, Devinski, and Lavender on back-to-back days contributed to the mess.
I am particularly curious why Myers didn’t start the 9th. If he isn’t there to finish in a non-save situation, giving your better arms a rest, what is he there for? Instead, he comes in a much higher-stakes situation. Since I respect Andy Green, what was his reasoning?
Semiens/Baty at 2B is a reasonable idea. They should get a good defensive first baseman in the offseason. A person like Morrell is nice but disposable. And, overall, it is probably time to say “bye” to Vientos.