The Polar Bear turns up the heat as Mets take their first post-deadline series

The Mets win their first series since the trade deadline. Plus, looking at Pete Alonso's recent hot streak.

What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️

• The Mets held on to defeat the Cubs 4-3 for the first series victory since the trade deadline (box)

• 1B Pete Alonso continued his red hot stretch, hitting his fourth home run of the series (35) and driving in two runs

• LHP David Peterson allowed two runs with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings as he is still getting stretched out from his stint in the bullpen

• RF Jeff McNeil connected on his fifth home run of the season which gave the Mets a lead they’d never relinquish

• 2B Jonathan Araúz added on a crucial insurance run in the 6th inning with an RBI single

• RHP Phil Bickford came into the game in the 9th with the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position and one out, but managed to strike out two of the three batters he faced for his second career save

• New York went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position

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Who’s Hot 🔥

• Since returning from the minor leagues on June 14th, David Peterson is pitching to a 2.45 ERA over 14.2 innings pitched

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Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (52-62) vs. Braves (72-40)

Starting pitchers: RHP Tylor Megill (6-5, 5.45 ERA) vs. TBD

Where: Citi Field – Flushing, NY

When: 7:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY, MLB Network

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A look at Pete Alonso’s recent hot streak… ✍️

There isn’t a ton of good to talk about when it comes to the Mets nowadays; don’t even think about looking at the standings after the team just won their first series since waiving the white flag at the deadline.

One source of light, however, is that of Pete Alonso. After struggling for an extended stretch since being hit in the hand by the Braves in early June, the Mets star first baseman is suddenly scorching hot.

So let’s appreciate just how hot the Polar Bear has been.

Pete Alonso…

• Is the first player in franchise history with four seasons with at least 35 home runs

• Is hitting .338/.403/.824 with nine home runs, four doubles, 25 RBI and a 1.226 OPS over his last 18 games

• Has homered in three consecutive games for the third time this season

• Is just the sixth player in franchise history to hit four home runs in a single three-game series

• Ranks third in the major leagues and second in the National League in home runs (35) and RBI (87)

• Has raised his season OPS from .776 to .854 in the last 21 days

• 181 career home runs are the fourth-most through a player’s first five seasons in the majors behind Ralph Kiner (215), Albert Pujols (201) and Eddie Matthews (190) – stats courtesy of ESPN Stats and Info

• Is one RBI shy of tying Keith Hernandez (468) for 10th on the club’s all-time list. He would also tie Hernandez for the most career RBI by a first baseman in franchise history

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Around the League 🚩

• Phillies RHP Michael Lorenzen pitched a no-hitter in his first home start since being acquired by the club, defeating the Nationals 7-0

• Angels RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to hit 40 home runs and register 10 wins in the same season

• Despite acting as sellers at the trade deadline, the Mariners won their seventh consecutive game on the back of RHP Emerson Hancock’s impressive major league debut

• The Dbacks lost their eighth straight game and fell below .500 for the first time since April 6th