213 Miles From Shea

The Mets roll into Atlanta winning five of their last six. It was an odd weekend for the Mets who won the series by a combined score of 17 to 14. Friday night they scored six runs before the Pirates scored four. Saturday the Mets got crushed 9-0. Sunday the Mets returned the favor winning 11-1. Hopefully the pendulum for the Mets offense doesn’t swing back the other way!

Christian Scott has made 16 starts this season totaling 74 1/3 innings with a 3.15 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.265 WHIP and a 130 ERA+. Scott had an average start his last time out allowing three runs over five innings from six hits and two walks. In his last five games he has pitched 25 1/3 innings with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.51 FIP. In his one start against the Braves this season he allowed three runs from two hits, both home runs, over four innings while striking out seven. The Braves have the following career stats against him:

• Ronald Acuña Jr. 0-6, 3 K
• Ozzie Albies 2-7, HR, BB, K
• Drake Baldwin 2-5
• Mauricio Dubon 0-3, 2 BB
• Michael Harris II 4-8, HR, K
• Jim Jarvis 1-2, 2B
• Matt Olson 1-7, BB, 5 K
• Austin Riley 0-4, 2 BB, 4 K
• Dominic Smith 0-2, K
• Lane Thomas 0-5, K
• Mike Yastrzemski 0-6, 5 K

Bryce Elder has made 22 starts this season totaling 126 2/3 innings with a 3.69 ERA, 4.44 FIP, 1.200 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. Elder has been on a roll recently allowing exactly one earned run in his last three consecutive starts. Over that stretch he has pitched 18 innings scattering nine hits and nine walks while striking out 14 batters (1.50 ERA, 4.48 FIP). Elder started against the Mets in mid-June allowing six runs on 10 hits including two home runs over four innings. The Mets have the following career stats against him:

• Francisco Alvarez 0-2
• Brett Baty 3-11, BB, 4 K
• Carson Benge 1-2, BB
• Bo Bichette 2-6, K
• A.J. Ewing 3-3, 2B, HR
• Francisco Lindor 6-13, 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, K
• Luis Robert Jr. 1-3, 2B
• Marcus Semien 1-7, HR, K
• Luis Torrens 1-6
• Jared Young 1-3

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Bo Bichette. Bichette went 5-for-5 on Sunday with two doubles and a walk. In his last 20 games he has gone 27-for-84 with five doubles and a home run, slashing .321/.356/.417. Since the All-Star break Bichette has been getting on base at healthy clip but he hasn’t flashed a ton of power. His two doubles Sunday represent one third of his extra-base hits since the All-Star Break. Hopefully Sunday was the breakout game Bichette needed!
2. Homers. Elder has allowed 17 home runs in his 15 starts. He’s allowed two home runs during his current hot streak. For a third consecutive season he has a 1.4 HR/9. The New York Mets are currently ranked 12th in the league with 143 homers and the offense has been on a bit of a hot streak recently with more players cranking them out of the park.
3. Jared Young. From June 12 to July 4, Jared Young played 19 games where he slashed .132/.193/.245. He sunk his batting average from .288 to .223. In the 27 game since Young has slashed .316/.407/.481. In his last seven games Young has gone 8-for-24 with two doubles, two triples and two stolen bases (albeit one of those triples took a bit of luck).

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets win streak couldn’t go on forever. The Pirates rolled through the Mets Saturday night scoring three runs in the first inning and never looking back. The Pirates eventually scored nine runs and held the Mets to no runs and three hits. Robert Stock took the brunt of it, allowing eight runs over three innings. Luis Torrens stepped up for the bullpen, pitching two innings to close out the game.

The Mets still have the ability to win the series though with a win this afternoon!

Sean Manaea has pitched in 24 games this season totaling 97 2/3 innings with a 4.33 ERA, 4.28 FIP, 1.328 WHIP and a 96 ERA+. In his last three starts he has allowed only five runs over 18 innings from 18 hits and nine walks while striking out 14 batters (2.50 ERA, 4.09 FIP). Since joining the rotation he has made 10 starts totaling 54 2/3 innings with a 3.79 ERA and 4.53 FIP. Manaea’s first game of the season was 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against the Pirates. The Pirates have the following career stats against him:

• Henry Davis 0-0, BB
• Nick Gonzalez 0-4, 2 K
• Brandon Loew 0-8, 3 K
• Bryan Reynolds 2-9, HR, 2 BB, K
• Jared Triolo 0-2, BB

The Mets bats will get a look at Jared Jones this afternoon. Over 12 starts (56 innings), Jones has a 4.02 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 1.107 WHIP and a 107 ERA+. Jones has allowed a bunch of runs recently, six in his last 10 innings. Before that though Jones had a 21 inning stretch over four starts where he allowed only three runs while striking out 28 batters (1.29 ERA, 1.61 FIP). Jones missed the series against the Mets in March because he was still recovering from 2025 internal brace surgery. The Mets have the following career stats against Jones:

• Francisco Alvarez 0-2, 2 K
• Gabriel Arias 0-2, K
• Brett Baty 0-2
• Francisco Lindor 0-2, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Gabriel Arias. The Mets claimed Arias off waivers from the Guardians earlier this week and he joined the Mets before Saturday’s game. Once the game was out of reach, Andy Green took Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette out of the game which game Arias his first game time as a Met (0-for-2, K). Arias was hitting .244/.284/.386 (85 OPS+) over 42 games this season, which is an upgrade compared to other options the Mets have rolled with this season. He’s also hitting above his career line of .218/.275/.359. He’ll get plenty of opportunities with the Mets for the rest of the season.
2. Contain Jake! Jake Mangum was twice drafted by the Mets and was eventually traded to the Marlins. From the Marlins he made his way to the Rays where he made his Major League debut in 2025. The Rays traded Mangum to the Pirates last December. He’s having a fantastic season slashing .300/.354/.380 with a 102 OPS+ and a 1.5 bWAR. That would tie him with Luis Torrens for fourth on the Mets. Mangum got the better of the Mets yesterday going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and a stolen base.
3. Marcus Semien. Semien has slashed .245/.317/.547 in his last 17 games, going 13-for-53 at the plate with a double, five home runs and six walks. He’s not putting up crazy numbers, but his slugging is up 34 points over this stretch. His OPS+ is still the lowest in his career by a long shot (76, career average 107), but he’s only one homer away from reaching last year’s total and still has a shot to reach 20 on the season.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets look to stretch their winning streak to five games tonight! Friday night the Mets took a big lead early against the Pirates and were able to hold on to it throughout the night. Marcus Semien had another massive home run. Carson Benge put it all on the line with an amazing catch (and thankfully, x-rays were negative). Devin Williams struggled, but it wasn’t enough to upset the game.

Robert Stock looked great last weekend in a game that the Mets couldn’t give him any run support, let’s hope for a repeat performance from Stock, but with a high-powered lineup behind him!

Robert Stock made his 2026 debut last weekend and allowed only one run on three hits over five innings while striking out four batters. Stock used his entire arsenal in his last start, throwing his low-90’s cutter a third of the time and his mid-90’s fastball a bit less. He mixed in his mid-90’s sinker, low-80’s changeup and low-80’s sweeper to round out his game. The only player on the Pirates to face Robert Stock before is Brandon Lowe (0-0, 2 BB).

Bubba Chandler has pitched 110 1/3 innings this season with a 4.49 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 1.414 WHIP and a 96 ERA+. In his last two starts he has pitched 10 innings allowing eight runs, but only five earned, from 11 hits and five walks while striking out eight. Chandler has big stuff, with a four seamer averaging 98.5 mph. He has a hard slider and changeup that sit in the low 90’s. The Mets missed Chandler when they faced each other earlier in the season and no one on the roster has faced him before in a Major League game.

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Stealing! The Mets have been abysmal on the basepaths for most of the season. Losing Antoan Richardson to the Braves after 2025 has been the main reason. Two of the Mets most prolific base stealers have missed time with injury and haven’t been the same on the base paths because of their injuries (Soto & Lindor). The fastest players this year have struggled with getting caught. Andy Green has been more aggressive on the base paths since taking over and it’s been showing. The Mets are now 20th in the league in stolen bases. They have stolen six bases int he last two games without being caught once.
2. A.J. Ewing. Ewing had a massive game Friday night going 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored. In his last four games he has gone 6-for-16 with three doubles. He now has a 2.6 bWAR, 15 doubles on the season and 15 stolen bases. His 2.6 bWAR puts him just barely behind Juan Soto for the team lead (in 12 fewer games). His 15 doubles is just two behind Bo Bichette for the team lead (in 40 fewer games). His 15 stolen bases is just three behind Carson Benge for the team lead (in 38 fewer games).
3. Nate Lavender. With the rain delay Friday night, the Mets had to take Thornton out a bit early and use four different relievers to get to the end of the game. Nate Lavender last pitched on Thursday, and has pitched twice since Tuesday, but is probably on the short list to go this afternoon if needed. He has pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief since joining the Mets allowing one walk and nothing else while striking out three. It’s been a long road to the majors for Lavender and he’s showing us why we have been so excited to see him healthy. He has primarily used his low-90’s fastball, and mid-80’s slider since called up.

Let’s Go Mets!

The New York Metropolitans are on a three game winning streak! The Mets slugged nine homeruns in Cleveland this week. Thursday they beat the Guardians so thoroughly that the Guardians had a position player pitching to end the game! The Guardians were buyers at the deadline and were hoping to get some momentum against the Mets, and were denied. The Pirates were also buyers at the deadline. They have won two of their last ten games and are currently on a three game losing streak. Here come the care-free Mets!

Zac Thornton has made six starts this season totaling 34 1/3 innings with a 2.88 ERA, 3.79 FIP, 1.049 WHIP and a 145 ERA+. Thornton has looked a bit more human in his last two starts, allowing seven runs, six earned, over 11 innings while striking out seven batters. He has also allowed a home run in two consecutive starts. In his three starts before that he allowed only one run over 19 innings. This will be his first time facing the Pirates or any one on the Pirates roster in Major League game.

Carmen Mlodzinski has pitched in 25 games this season making nine starts with 94 1/3 innings of work. He has a 3.15 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 1.314 WHIP and a 138 ERA+. As a starter he has pitched 44 innings with a 4.30 ERA and 1.523 WHIP. Tonight will be his first start since the end of May. His first start of the season this year was against the Mets where he allowed two runs from six hits over 4 1/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Francisco Alvarez 1-1, 2B
• Brett Baty 2-4, K
• Carson Benge 0-2
• Bo Bichette 0-3, BB, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 1-4, 3B
• Jorge Polanco 0-3
• Luis Robert Jr. 2-4, 2 BB
• Marcus Semien 0-1, BB, K
• Luis Torrens 1-3, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. They needed that. On Thursday Francisco Lindor went 2-for-6 with a three-run home run. Luis Robert Jr. went 3-for-6. Marcus Semien went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run. On Wednesday, Jorge Polanco went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run (and for some reason didn’t play on Thursday). All four needed a big day at the plate to get back on track. It’s bitter-sweet. It’s good to get everyone going but its also a look at what could have been if everyone started off healthy and closer to their career stats.
2. Carson Benge. What a series for Carson Benge. In his last three games he has gone 5-for-15 with two home runs, a triple, three RBI’s and five runs scored. He homered in the first two games of the series and for the final game he collected three hits. Let’s keep the good times going in Pittsburgh!
3. Flashing Power. The Mets put on a show in Cleveland, smashing home runs. Even Luis Torrens had two home runs in Cleveland and he has only four on the season! Early on in the season the Mets were struggling to hit homers, after a few seasons of being a top homer hitting club. Now the Mets have 140 on the season, which is good for 12th in the league and are only three behind the Pirates for 11th.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets have a chance to sweep the Guardians! The Guardians were buyers at the deadline. Thanks to the Mets, they are now a game below .500, but are still in second in the AL Central. The Mets are still firmly in the basement of the NL East, but the vibes are, okay? Wednesday’s comeback was the most Mets comeback that you could draw up. The Mets tied the game in the ninth inning when Ewing reached on an error. They had an opportunity to extend the lead in the ninth but Lindor struck out with the bases loaded. Bo Bichette drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th, but was thrown out at second trying to extend the hit into a double. The Mets were able to work out of trouble in the 10th and get the win. Go for the sweep today!

Nolan McLean has made 22 starts this season totaling 125 2/3 innings with a 3.29 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 1.122 WHIP and a 126 ERA+. In his last six starts he has allowed only six earned runs over 36 1/3 innings (1.49 ERA, 2.93 FIP) while racking up 42 K’s. He has been a victim to the Mets defense and has allowed five unearned runs during this stretch as well. McLean has also only hit two batters during this stretch. He’s currently leading the league hitting 13 batters, doing it 10 times in a nine game stretch before this current stretch of six starts. A few members of the Guardians have faced Nolan McLean as members of other teams:

• Jo Adell 2-2
• Patrick Bailey 0-1, BB
• Nathaniel Lowe 2-4, 2 2B, BB, K

Foster Griffin makes his first start since being traded to the Guardians at the deadline. Griffin pitched in Japan from 2023 to 2025 and has had an All-Star year with the Nationals this season. Over 22 starts he has pitched 129 1/3 innings with a 3.06 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 1.075 WHIP and a 139 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed nine runs over 12 innings. Before that he had a 1.25 ERA, 2.72 FIP over eight consecutive starts (50 1/3 innings). One of his few poor starts this year came against the Mets where he allowed five runs from eight hits over five innings. The Mets have the following career stats against him:

• Brett Baty 0-2, K
• Carson Benge 2-3
• Bo Bichette 2-3, 2 HR
• Jorge Polanco 0-0, RBI
• Marcus Semien 1-2, K
• Luis Torrens 0-2, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Jorge Polanco. Andy Green told the press that Jorge Polanco took 300 swings on the field before Wednesday night’s game. He had a home run in first at bat in the game and ended the night going 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. This snapped an 0-for-26 stretch over eight games for Polanco. The Mets would love to get Polanco going for the rest of the season, hopefully this was the start of Polanco returning to his career stat line.
2. Carson Benge. Benge homered in a second consecutive game Wednesday night. He now has 13 homers on the season with a 102 OPS+. Benge had a 20 game stretch without hitting a home run before homering on Tuesday night, but he still hit well in that stretch despite the lack of power (.707 OPS).
3. Devin Williams. The Mets turned to Daniel Duarte to close out the game last night, avoiding Devin Williams. After the game Andy Green said that Devin Williams was dealing with arm fatigue, but expect him to be ready to go this afternoon. Before his last outing, Williams had a five game stretch where he allowed no runs, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out seven batters. Over the weekend he allowed one run on two hits against the Marlins.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets won their first game post-deadline! The bats took the lead early and the pitching staff never looked back with Sean Manaea putting in a strong start. Nate Lavender made his MLB debut pitching 1 1/3 hitless innings of relief. Kodai Senga came in and closed the door at the end of the game. The Mets turned three double plays. Just a great night.

Now the Mets will try to take the series against the Guardians behind Christian Scott as he looks to continue his impressive 2026 campaign!

Christian Scott has made 15 starts totaling 69 1/3 innings with a 2.99 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 1.240 WHIP and a 139 ERA+. He allowed only one run over six innings in his last start against the Braves and over his last four starts he has a 1.77 ERA, 1.37 FIP over 20 1/3 innings. Only Jo Adell (0-for-2, 2 K) and Patrick Bailey (0-for-2) have seen him in a Major League game before.

Tanner Bibee has had some tough luck this year. He is leading the league with 11 losses despite having a 3.81 ERA, 4.50 FIP, 1.149 WHIP and 109 ERA+ over 23 starts (132 1/3 innings). In his last four starts he has a 2.77 ERA and 3.02 FIP over 26 innings. The Mets have the following career stats against him:

• Brett Baty 1-2, BB, K
• Bo Bichette 1-9, 2B, 3 K
• Francisco Lindor 0-3
• Jorge Polanco 3-12, 2 2B, 2 BB
• Luis Robert Jr. 1-7, 2 K
• Marcus Semien 2-10, 2B, HR, 2 BB, K
• Jared Young 0-2, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Fielding. Fielding was a huge part of Tuesday night’s game. An error from the Guardians led to three unearned runs scoring. The Mets had allowed no unearned runs (overcoming a Lindor throwing error) and were able to turn three double plays. Benge also recorded an outfield assist. The Mets fielding has been a sore spot all year, so it was nice to see things come together for the Mets last night and for the Mets to benefit from someone else’s fielding woes.
2. Chayce McDermott. The Mets acquired McDermott after he was DFA’d by the Dodgers (trading the Dodgers back Ben Rortvedt). McDermott pitched 2 1/3 innings over two games for the Dodgers this season allowing two runs off of three hits, including a home run, while striking out one batter. Last season for the Orioles McDermott allowed 15 runs off 12 hits and 12 walks over 8 2/3 innings. In the minors this season he has a 4.55 ERA over 31 2/3 innings. McDermott has a mid-90’s fastball, high-80’s cutter and low-80’s slider. McDermott is probably on the shortlist to be sent down once the Mets are ready to call up another prospect.
3. What to do with the veteran players? The Mets have to figure out what to do with Luis Robert Jr., Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco for 2027. Luis Robert Jr. has a team option for next year and had another miserable game at the plate Tuesday night, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Marcus Semien went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout, but still managed to score two runs and more importantly was part of all three double plays. Jorge Polanco did not play at all Tuesday night and has gone 0-for-26 with two walks and 13 strikeouts in his last eight games.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets play their first game post-trade deadline tonight with a lot of new faces. The roster right now looks similar to a spring training availability chart. Tyrone Taylor was the only bat* traded away at the deadline but the pitching staff looks completely different. A.J. Minter, Freddy Peralta, Huascar Brazobán, Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver and Clay Holmes are all gone.

*Okay, technically the Mets traded two bats away with the Ben Rortvedt trade

With so many players out, there are a lot of players joining the Mets in Cleveland. Dedniel Núñez, Jefry Yan, Nate Lavender, Chayce McDermott, Xzavion Curry and Cristian Pache are all set to join the Mets. Meet the Mets!

Sean Manaea has pitched in 23 games totaling 91 2/3 innings for the Mets with a 4.42 ERA, 4.33 FIP, 1.342 WHIP and a 94 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed only three runs over 12 innings from 11 hits and four walks while striking out seven. Since returning to the rotation full time, Manaea has pitched 48 2/3 innings over nine starts with a 3.88 ERA and a 4.64 FIP. The Guardians have the following career numbers against Manaea:

• Jo Adell 1-2, BB
• Gabrial Arias 1-5, HR, 2 K
• Patrick Bailey 2-4, 2B, BB, K
• Austin Hedges 1-2, BB
• Rhys Hoskins 2-8, 2 HR, K
• Steven Kwan 1-5, BB, K
• Angel Martinez 0-2
• José Ramírez 3-18, 2 BB, 5 K
• Brayan Rocchio 1-2, K

Joey Cantillo has made 23 starts totaling 113 2/3 innings with a 3.88 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 1.452 WHIP and a 107 ERA+. Cantillo is coming off of a good but short start where he allowed no runs over four innings while striking out eight. Cantillo made six starts in July but never went beyond five innings posting a 3.90 ERA over 27 2/3 innings. The only member of the Mets to see him in a Major League game is Luis Robert Jr. (0-for-8, 2 K).

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Jefry Yan. Just two weeks before his 30th birthday, Jefry Yan is set to make his Major League debut. Yan has pitched in 35 games for Binghamton and Syracuse this season pitching 41 2/3 innings with a 3.24 ERA, 1.272 WHIP. It is a massive improvement from his 2025 season in Albuquerque (Rockies affiliate) where he had a 7.28 ERA over 27 games. Yan is most known for his over-the-top strikeout celebration. Can’t wait to see it in the majors!
2. Dedniel Núñez. Núñez last pitched for the Mets in July 2025 and has been recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. In 2024 Núñez had a 2.31 ERA, 2.22 FIP, 0.914 WHIP and a 172 ERA+ over 35 innings with the Mets. He only pitched in 9 2/3 innings last year with a 4.66 ERA. In both seasons with the Mets he almost exclusively used his mid-90’s four seamer and high-80’s slider, sprinkling in a change up and curveball to round out his arsenal. He now has the rest of 2026 to get some serious reps to prepare for the 2027 season.
3. Luis Robert Jr. The Mets ultimately did not trade Luis Robert Jr. on his birthday yesterday. Robert Jr. talked about liking being with the Mets before the trade deadline. The Mets now have the next two months to decide if they are going to pick up his club option for next season. The Mets outfield is crowded when Juan Soto is healthy. Additionally the Mets need to determine what to do with Nick Morabito, Ryan Clifford and Eli Serrano III. Since returning from the injured list, Robert Jr. has gone 5-for-37 at the plate slashing .135/.200/.297 with two home runs.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets look to split the series with the Marlins this afternoon behind a spot start from Robert Stock. Saturday was a quiet day for the Mets in multiple ways. On the field the Mets scored only two runs on seven hits, going 0-for-1 with RISP and committed two errors. Off the field the Mets didn’t make any trades despite avoiding using anyone in the bullpen that could be traded.

The roster the Mets have this morning will be quite different than the roster that takes the field again Tuesday night in Cleveland. The MLB trade deadline is basically here!

Robert Stock last pitched for the Mets in 2021, allowing three runs over five innings in two games. Last season he pitched 2 2/3 innings over two games for the Red Sox, allowing three runs from four hits. He has pitched in eight games across Syracuse and Brooklyn this season totaling 21 2/3 innings with a 2.91 ERA and 0.831 WHIP. The Mets need him to put up innings his afternoon. As much as possible the Mets are trying to avoid using anyone in the bullpen who may be moved today or tomorrow.

The Mets bats will face off against Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara has made 23 starts and is leading the league with 150 2/3 innings pitched. He has a 3.82 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 1.208 WHIP and a 105 ERA+. If the Marlins are going to go for it, they need to build around Alcantara who will be a free agent in 2027. If the Marlins decide to sell, why is Alcantara even making this start? Alcantara is coming off of a terrific game against the Phillies where he held them scoreless over seven innings, scattering four hits and a walk. The Mets have the following career stats against him:

• Francisco Alvarez 1-3
• Brett Baty 0-4, K
• Bo Bichette 1-6
• Francisco Lindor 10-33, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 4 K
• Jorge Polanco 0-3
• Luis Robert Jr. 0-3
• Marcus Semien 4-10, HR, 2 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-6, 2 K
• Luis Torrens 1-5, 2 K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Hug Watch. The trade deadline is the number one story of the game. Overnight the Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal, the top starting pitcher available for trade. This should get the market for all of the other starting pitchers moving. In addition to Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta, the Mets have three or four relievers they move at the deadline. By the time you are reading this someone may have already been traded. Then there are hitters like Tyrone Taylor who smashed his 10th home run of the season yesterday. Keep your eyes peeled for hugs!
2. Francisco Lindor. Lindor has now recorded two hits in a game, in back-to-back games. Over his last three games he ahs gone 5-for-11 with two runs and home run. In his last 16 games played he is hitting .311/.400/.639 with five home runs. He’s starting to turn it on and if he keeps this up for a few more weeks he’ll still finish 2026 with a nice, statistical season.
3. Contain the back of the lineup. The Marlins bottom-third of the lineup on Saturday (Sanoja, Ruiz and Conine) combined to go 6-for-11 with three runs scored, three RBI’s, and two home runs. The Marlins lineup as a whole struggled, going 2-for-11 with RISP and leaving 10 runners on base. The score could have been a lot worse with how good the bottom of the lineup was hitting. Don’t let them repeat that today!

Let’s Go Mets!

The Marlins were able to push through the Mets Friday night. The Mets still have a chance to win the series, but that would require winning today and tomorrow. Freddy Peralta was scratched from the start a few hours before first pitch as trade talk started to ramp up. The Mets only used Curry in the bullpen last night, protecting everyone else who could be traded this weekend. We’ll see if the Mets use that same approach this afternoon.

Zac Thornton has made five starts totaling 29 2/3 innings this season with a 2.43 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 0.910 WHIP and a 173 ERA+. He started July off with two spectacular back-to-back starts allowing no runs over 13 innings. His last time out was more human, but still effective, holding the Braves to three runs over 6 1/3 innings while striking out five. This will be his first start against the Marlins and no one on the Marlins have faced Thornton in a Major League game.

Tyler Phillips has pitched in 27 games including 11 starts this season totaling 84 1/3 innings with a 3.52 ERA, 4.60 FIP, 1.364 WHIP and a 114 ERA+. Phillips fully joined the rotation in the second week of June and has a 5.05 ERA, 5.63 FIP over 41 innings. His last two starts have been a step in the right direction, allowing five runs, four earned, over 9 1/3 innings (3.86 ERA). In two games against the Mets this year he allowed three runs over 8 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career stats against Phillips:

• Francisco Alvarez 0-1
• Brett Baty 1-4, 2 K
• Carson Benge 2-5, 2B, 2 K
• Bo Bichette 1-6, K
• A.J. Ewing 1-4
• Francisco Lindor 1-3
• Jorge Polanco 1-1, 2B
• Marcus Semien 2-4, 2B
• Tyrone Taylor 1-1, BB
• Luis Torrens 0-2
• Jared Young 1-2, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Francisco Lindor. Lindor went 2-for-3 yesterday with a home run and a walk (we are just going to ignore the stretching a single into a double, getting caught in a rundown situation last night). He’s now one homerun away from 10 on the year, something he has done every year his career except for the covid season. Since July 19, Lindor has slashed .333/.444/.689 with two doubles, a triple and four home runs over 12 games.
2. Carson Benge. Benge has a four game hitting streak going where he has gone 7-for-15 at the plate with two doubles and a stolen base. Since the start of July Benge has slashed .302/.371/.430 over 23 games. Benge and Ewing will be the brightest spots of this 2026 season.
3. Jonathan Pintaro. The Mets recalled Pintaro after putting Cionel Pérez on the injured list. Pintaro’s role this weekend is to eat innings that would normally go to the pitchers the Mets will trade by Monday. Over five games this season Pintaro has pitched 12 1/3 innings with a 5.11 ERA, 5.53 FIP, 0.730 WHIP and an 83 ERA+. He has struggled to keep the ball in the park, already allowing three homers this season. Twice this season he has pitched three or more innings and four out of five games he has tossed more than 40 pitches.

Let’s Go Mets!

On July 8, the Marlins had 51.5% chance of making the playoffs according to Fan Graphs. Their odds rose around 40% in one month. Since their 12 game losing streak, they are down to a 15.1% chance. About a month ago, they were very likely going to be buyers at the trade deadline. Now who knows where they are going to be.

The Mets have long been labeled sellers, however they have played good ball lately winning four of their last five games. As of writing the Mets have already made their first trade of the weekend sending A.J. Minter to the Twins. Who knows who is going to be on the Mets by the the weekend. If the Mets can keep playing this weekend, they’ll force the Marlins into sell mode on Monday.

Freddy Peralta was originally schedule to make his last start as a Met tonight. He signaled after his last start that he didn’t think he would be starting today. That being said, the Mets didn’t pull him from today’s start until around two in the afternoon. Most of Friday made it seem like today was going to be his last audition.

Kodai Senga will be getting the start in place of Freddy Peralta tonight. Over 12 games, Senga has tossed 40 2/3 innings with a 8.85 ERA, 6.89 FIP, 1.844 WHIP and a 47 ERA+. He has not pitched since July 18 where he allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings against the Red Sox. It’s just been an abysmal season for Senga. Senga is signed through 2027 and has a team option for 2028. It’s unlikely at this point the Mets would find a trade worth it at the deadline for Senga. It would be a wonderful development if the Mets could get Senga back on track before the end of this season. The Marlins have the following career stats against him:

• Griffin Conine 1-4, K
• Xavier Edwards 4-13, 2B, 4 K
• Heriberto Hernandez 1-2, K
• Liam Hicks 1-2, 2B
• Otto López 0-5, BB, K
• Jakob Marsee 1-2, 2B, BB
• Graham Pauley 2-4, 2B, K
• Esteury Ruiz 1-2
• Javier Sanoja 1-2, 2B
• Kyle Stowers 1-4, HR, BB, 3 K

Janson Junk has made 14 starts this season totaling 73 2/3 innings with a 4.89 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 1.357 WHIP and an 83 ERA+. He has done alright in his last four starts posting a 4.34 ERA over 18 2/3 innings. His stats through his last four are heavily impacted by a game where he allowed six runs over four innings. The Mets have the following career stats against Junk:

• Bo Bichette 3-4
• Luis Robert Jr. 0-2
• Jared Young 0-1, K

Three Things To Watch For:

1. Walk Francisco… Alvarez? The Dodgers, Braves and Marlins have been giving Alvarez a lot of free passes in his last five games. He has gone 3-for-12 at the plate with seven walks, good for a .526 OBP. He only has 27 walks on the season. Since July 3, Alvarez has slashes .302/.439/.491 with three home runs and 12 walks.
2. Bichette’s Audition Weekend. Bo’s contract would be difficult to move at the deadline, but not impossible. Over his last 11 games he has gone 15-for-46 with two doubles slashing .326/.360/.370. A drop in power, but a massive bump for his batting average. Since June 12, he’s been a different hitter going .313/.349/.438 with eight doubles and four home runs over 41 games. Maybe this is enough to entice a contender.
3. Luis Robert Jr. The centerfielder trade market is thin. Robert Jr. has struggled since returning from the injured list going 4-for-29 with two home runs and three walks (.138/.219/.345). He had a huge two-RBI night for the Mets on Thursday. He has said in interviews this week that he would rather stay here, but a good weekend may cause a team to come calling.

Let’s Go Mets!