Morning Briefing: Mets Begin Road Trip in Anaheim

Good morning, Mets fans!

The New York Mets, currently holding a 57-51 record, are set to face the Los Angeles Angels to begin their long road trip. First pitch is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET. The Mets will start the recently acquired Paul Blackburn, who has a 4-2 record with a 4.41 ERA, while the Angels will counter with left-handed starter Tyler Anderson, who boasts an 8-9 record and a 2.96 ERA. This is Game 1 of a three-game series and a 10-game road trip, including a pit stop in St. Louis to make up for the May 8 postponement.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

Starting on August 8, the Mets’ 2024 draft picks and other players who have been with the FCL Mets this year will kick off a post-FCL game schedule. Teams from the Mets, Astros, Cardinals, Marlins and Nationals will be participating.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns appeared on the Meet Me At The Apple podcast, offering insights into the factors that contributed to the team’s season turnaround and the acquisitions made at the trade deadline. He detailed the trade process and discussed the promising prospects poised to benefit the Mets in both the immediate and long-term future.

Mets prospect Luke Ritter has hit a home run for the third consecutive game for Triple-A Syracuse, bringing his season total to 22 home runs. He currently leads the International League with 77 RBIs. Ritter’s 22nd homer of the season in his last game put Syracuse ahead 5-4 in the seventh inning.

Latest MLB News

The MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation has announced a $2 million grant to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO. This funding will contribute to the museum’s $30 million campaign to construct a new 30,000-square-foot facility.

Jeff Fletcher of the SoCal News Group writes that Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout has another meniscus tear in his surgically repaired left knee, ruling him out for the rest of the season. This is another huge setback for Trout, whose career has been significantly affected by injuries in recent years.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, placed on the family emergency list last weekend, disclosed on Thursday that his three-year-old son, Maximus, is battling Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Freeman, who has missed the Dodgers’ last four games, shared an update on his son’s condition in a joint statement with his wife, Chelsea, on Instagram.

The Baltimore Orioles made a flurry of roster moves after their trade deadline deals. Baltimore activated recently acquired outfielder Eloy Jiménez, pitcher Trevor Rogers, and outfielder Austin Slater. Outfielder Heston Kjerstad and pitcher Keegan Akin were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, and outfielder Cristian Pache was designated for assignment. Additionally, infielder Jordan Westburg was placed on the 10-day IL due to a right hand fracture, with infielder Livan Soto being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to fill the roster spot. Pitcher Vinny Nittoli chose free agency over an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

Latest on MMO

On the latest episode of MMO Weekly, Mike and Sal are joined by Josh Eppard, a diehard Mets fan and drummer for the band Coheed and Cambria. They discussed their shared passion for the Mets, how Eppard keeps up with the season while on tour, the parallels between baseball and music, and Josh’s baseball bucket list, among other topics.

Andrew Steele-Davis goes in depth on the Mets’ previous series versus Minnesota in his latest “3 Up, 3 Down” piece.

On This Date in Mets History

1992: On August 2, 1992, During the Hall of Fame ceremony, Tom Seaver was formally inducted into the Hall of Fame with 98.8% of the vote, the highest percentage at that time. Alongside Seaver, the class included Rollie Fingers, Hal Newhouser and posthumously honored umpire Bill McGowan. Seaver, known as “The Franchise,” was the 23rd player elected on his first ballot and is celebrated for leading the Mets to the 1969 World Series, where he posted a 25-7 record.

Birthdays: Dae-Sung Koo (55)

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