This is the Francisco Álvarez we signed up for...
Francisco Álvarez sparked and paced the offense for the Mets in a low-scoring win on Tuesday
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What’s up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets came from behind again to beat the Angels 3-2 at Citi Field on Tuesday (Box)
The Mets got a solid start from Frankie Montas, who allowed just two runs into the sixth inning for his third win of the year
Rico García, Reed Garrett, and Ryne Stanek combined for 3.1 IP of scoreless relief
Francisco Álvarez slugged a two-run home run in the fifth and Brandon Nimmo singled in the go-ahead run later in the inning, which was all the runs the Mets needed for their 25th comeback win of the season
The Mets are now 9-7 in July, 18-12-3 in series, 13-3-1 in series at home, 18-17 against AL teams, earned their 11th win when being outhit, and are 14-29 when scoring three or fewer runs this season
Roster Moves 📰
OF Starling Marte reinstated from the 10-Day Injured List
INF Jared Young optioned to Triple-A Syracuse
RHP Rico García activated
LHP Brandon Waddell's option reversed, placed on the 15-Day IL(retro 7/19) - right hip impingement
RHP Kevin Herget optioned to Triple-A Syracuse
RHP Justin Garza recalled from Triple-A Syracuse
RHP Chris Devenski designated for assignment
Injury Updates 🏥
RHP Paul Blackburn (shoulder impingement) allowed one run on three hits over five innings for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday
Play of the Game 🌟
With the Mets down 2-0 in the fifth inning, Francisco Álvarez hit a game-tying, two-run home run to spark the Mets offense. Later in the inning, the Mets would take the lead on Brandon Nimmo’s RBI single, but it was Álvarez’s homer that changed the complexion of Tuesday night’s game for the Mets to help them take this series against the Angels.
It was his first home run at Citi Field in 2025.
Down on the Farm 🌾
OF José Azocar (Triple-A): 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
OF Ryan Clifford (no. 6 prospect, Double-A): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
RHP Noah Hall (High-A): 4 IP, 1 BB, 4 K
BOX SCORES
Single-A STL | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (58-44) vs. Angels (49-52)
Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY
Starters: LHP Sean Manaea (0-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. LHP Brock Burke (4-1, 3.38 ERA)
When: 1:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
Hello Francisco Alvarez, it’s nice to see you again! ✍️
It’s been a long time coming for Francisco Alvarez, hasn’t it? About two years, actually. Perhaps longer.
Álvarez has been massive for the Mets in his first two games since returning from Triple-A this week, sparking a barren offense to help the team forge two comeback wins against the Angels and get them closer to the trade deadline while at least lowering the volume about the trade deadline, for now anyway.
He’s showing off that power which was advertised during his prospect years from 2020-2022, making authoritative contact and driving the ball to all fields. He has this fearless, albeit all-or-nothing approach again at the plate which is how he was able to notch 25 home runs in 2023, a far cry from whatever he was doing for the last year and a half at the plate.
This is the Francisco Alvarez we signed up for.
Now, to be fair to Álvarez, he has been plagued by some significant injuries to his hand over the last two years and that had unquestionably hampered his abilities on both sides of the ball. Between the broken bones and the torn ligaments, we have to remember his abilities had been diminished during those times, and bad habits and mindsets probably took hold.
It’s only two major league games, but it looks like his reboot in the minors is just what the doctor ordered for him.
He could’ve gone back to the minors and sulked, he could’ve gone down there with a bad attitude which would’ve exiled him there permanently. But he went down there with a purpose, a chip on his shoulder, was bound and determined to get himself back here and get himself back here as the version that got him here to begin with, and here he is making an immediate impact on a team that desperately needs some impact.
Is it sustainable? That depends on his ability to readjust once the new book is written on him. Right now, he’s showing power to all fields on fastballs - that’s going to change, and quickly as the pennant races heat up. He will have to show improvement on sliders and sweepers specifically at some point soon, that which he struggled against before his demotion to the minors in late June.
As for the rest of the offense, it’s just maddening, isn’t it? Francisco Lindor is hitless in his last 30 at-bats, going back to July 12 and is hitting just .174/.238/.326 over his last 34 games. He is absolutely lost at the plate and is a main reason the offense has been flat out terrible during that time.
Things haven’t been much better for Pete Alonso either, although his drought has been more recent than Lindor’s. He is hitting just .100/.229/.200 over his last 12 games dating back to July 6.
Juan Soto is also in an abyss right now - he’s at .125/.333/.406 over his last ten games.
It’s hard for an offense to score runs and outscore what has truly been some poor pitching when three main offensive sources are no-shows at the plate.
Obviously, the hope is this is the nadir and today is the day for the top of the order to pick things up and start hitting again. They’re not going to be on this path forever, although it seems like Lindor has been lost at the plate for over a month and his at-bats last night were a clear demonstration of his problems right now.
But once again, hope isn’t a strategy. And even if the Mets can get the top of the order going and Álvarez can sustain this renaissance, they simply need more in the form of an external acquisition over the next week.
David Stearns can say what he wants about how Jeff McNeil is getting more comfortable in centerfield - he is not an everyday centerfielder and he is far more valuable being sprayed around the field in his super-utility role. But if the Mets have to deal with McNeil in center for the rest of the year because opportunities to upgrade there are slim, fine. Then they need to find a second baseman, or find a bona fide designated hitter to boost the offense.
There’s no question the Mets need help on the pitching staff. They need a starter and two relievers. But the needs for the offense are seemingly being downplayed, at least in public.
And, they shouldn’t be. Because this team hasn’t hit a whole lot over the last couple of months.
Around the League 🚩
Cal Raleigh’s 39th home run was all the Mariners needed in their 1-0 win over the Brewers
Wilmer Flores hit a three-run home run and Rafael Devers doubled in the Giants 9-0 win over the Braves
45-year-old LHP Rich Hill made his debut for the Royals, his 14th big league team, allowed one earned run over five innings against the Cubs, but the Cubs won 6-0
Jacob deGrom struck out nine while allowing one run over six innings in the Rangers 6-2 win over the A’s
Lindor refuses to bunt for basehits. What is his reasoning??
I loved Alvy's body language yesterday, especially at the plate. He looked like he was having fun, competing rather than grinding. Hopefully, that means a corner has been turned.
By the way, D-Ro and Chris Young had a great breakdown on Lindor on MLB Central this morning. I hope he was watching. 😆