Morning Briefing: Mets Climb 10 Games Over .500 For First Time Since 2022

Good morning, Mets fans!

Luis Severino allowed six hits and two walks but held the Red Sox to just one run over seven innings, and Phil Maton recorded his first save as a Met to give New York a 4-1 victory in their series opener with Boston. Francisco Lindor collected two more hits and his 81st RBI of the season to pace the offense, and Brandon Nimmo chipped in an RBI double. With the win, the Mets improved to 10 games over .500 for the first time since 2022 and moved within a half-game of the idle Braves for the final NL Wild Card spot.

Wild Card Update

Joe Musgrove, Jason Adam, Tanner Scott and Robert Suarez combined to shut out the Tigers as the Padres grabbed a 3-0 victory. The Mets remain four games back of San Diego for the top Wild Card spot.

Freddie Freeman clubbed a pair of two-run homers, Mookie Betts drove in three runs, Shohei Ohtani swiped three bases and Teoscar Hernández collected five hits as the Dodgers downed the Diamondbacks, 11-6. The Mets are now just three games behind Arizona for the second Wild Card spot.

At Wrigley Field, the Cubs carried a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning against the Pirates, but Jorge López surrendered a game-tying three-run homer to Bryan Reynolds, then a go-ahead solo shot to Andrew McCutchen as Pittsburgh stunned Chicago, 5-3. The Cubs are now three games behind the Mets and four games behind Atlanta.

Latest Mets News

The Mets will look for their sixth straight victory as they send David Peterson (8-1, 2.83 ERA) to the mound against righty Kutter Crawford (8-12, 4.12 ERA). Peterson has worked at least seven innings in each of his last three starts. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Prior to Monday’s game, the Mets placed J.D. Martinez on the paternity list and recalled DJ Stewart from Triple-A Syracuse. Stewart has posted an .875 OPS in Syracuse since getting demoted when the team acquired Jesse Winker.

Kodai Senga told reporters that he is working towards returning to the Mets when he’s eligible to come off the 60-day injured list. Senga mentioned that he won’t return unless he feels 100% and that he’s willing to pitch out of the bullpen if necessary.

Christian Scott has begun mixing pitches off the slope of a mound and is hoping to begin throwing bullpen sessions soon. Scott said that he’s confident he can return to the Mets this season.

On MLB Network, former Mets skipper Buck Showalter advocated for Francisco Lindor to win the NL MVP award this year. Showalter cited the fact that Lindor can make an impact on a game in the field even if he goes 0-for-4 at the plate, something Shohei Ohtani can’t do as a designated hitter.

Latest MLB News

The Reds have designated Dominic Smith for assignment and recalled outfielder Blake Dunn. In nine games with Cincinnati, Smith went 5-for-26 with two doubles.

Latest on MMO

Tyler Antonelle recaps the Mets’ win in their series opener against the Red Sox.

Andrew Steele-Davis looks at the highs and lows from the series against the White Sox in the latest 3 Up, 3 Down.

Johnluke Chaparro breaks down Sean Manaea‘s strong outing in Chicago on Sunday.

On This Date in Mets History

1965: Jim Hickman becomes the first player in franchise history to club three homers in a game as the Mets down the Cardinals, 6-3. All three homers come against Cardinals hurler Ray Sadecki.

2007: Making his first start of the season, Pedro Martinez becomes the 15th member of the 3,000 strikeout club when he fans Aaron Harang in the bottom of the second inning. Martinez earns the win thanks to homers by Moises Alou, David Wright, and Carlos Delgado, as the Mets rout the Reds, 10-4.

2008: Ryan Church crushes a grand slam off Dave Bush to highlight a six-run first inning, and the Mets finish off a three-game sweep of the Brewers with a 9-2 victory. Brian Schneider also goes deep, and Óliver Pérez dodges five walks to hold Milwaukee to just two runs over 6 2/3 innings.

Born on this date: Ced Landrum (61), Corey Oswalt (31), David Peterson (29).

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