Morning Briefing: Mets Slide Into Second Wild Card Spot
Good morning, Mets fans!
The Mets face an unexpected problem: what to do regarding the middle infield? On Tuesday, a day potential MVP Francisco Lindor warmed the bench due to his day-to-day injury status, the Mets demolished the Washington Nationals 10-1. Jose Iglesias, who was widely expected to fill out the Triple-A Syracuse roster before the season, tallied three hits Monday, continuing his unexpected resurgence.
In comes Luisangel Acuña, Ronald Acuña Jr.‘s little brother. His Citi Field starting debut could not have gone better, as the 22-year-old crushed two extra-base hits, including a towering 414-foot moonshot for his first career homer. Acuña’s youth and inexperience could lead the front office to make him the odd one out. However, his brilliant first couple of games have shown the team that he’ll be fighting hard for a spot in 2025.
In the Mets’ 10-1 victory, Acuña and Pete Alonso looked fantastic, combining for seven RBIs. Tylor Megill pitched six strong innings, continuing his audition to make the five-man rotation. With the Braves’ loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the Mets move to 83-68, two games up on Atlanta.
And, with the Diamondbacks’ late-night loss to Colorado, the Mets now have the same record as Arizona at 83-68. The Mets hold the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks, should that be necessary at the end of the season. So, if it ended today, the Mets would own the second Wild Card spot.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Wild Card Update
The Braves coughed up a 5-1 lead to lose 6-5 to the Reds. Outfielder Spencer Steer hit the go-ahead homer, his 20th of the year. Atlanta is now two full games back of the Mets.
The Rockies soundly beat the Diamondbacks 8-2. Ezequiel Tovar had a big night, going 3-for-5 with a homer. It was the Diamondbacks’ second straight loss, coinciding with the Mets’ second straight win.
The Astros squeezed out a 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. It ended the Padres’ four-game winning streak, putting them now 2.5 games ahead of the Mets and Diamondbacks for the first Wild Card.
Latest Mets News
Jose Quintana for the Mets (9-9, 3.91 ERA), and DJ Herz for the Nationals (4-7, 3.70 ERA), will meet today at 7:10 p.m. ET for the series finale between the Mets and Nats. Since 2020, Quintana boasts an outlandish 1.50 ERA in 36.0 IP against Washington. Herz faced the Mets earlier this season twice, and he owns a 4.66 ERA in 9 2/3 innings against New York.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza called a team meeting to discuss Francisco Lindor’s injury, according to Joel Sherman. Sherman adds that three people spoke: Stearns, the president, Mendoza, the manager, and Pete Alonso.
Mets right-hander Luis Severino (10-6, 3.77 ERA), spoke to MLB Network regarding his experiences with the Mets and his own success on the mound. Severino also said that “the Mets have done a great job… They’ve believed in me since I signed.”
Latest MLB News
The Cleveland Guardians designated former Met Carlos Carrasco for assignment. In a corresponding move, they called up outfielder Myles Straw from Triple-A Columbus. Carrasco, 37, owns a 5.64 ERA and 4.94 FIP in 103 2/3 innings pitched, including an 8.66 ERA in his past four starts. The veteran Venezuelan has put up an extremely solid career, tossing 1641 2/3 innings and racking up 19.5 WAR.
ESPN writer/reporter Jeff Passan spent 24 hours with the Chicago White Sox to observe one of the worst teams in baseball history. Passan writes with wit and insight, capturing the absurdity of their 2024 season, focusing on how the players are handling the historically bad year.
Daulton Varsho of the Toronto Blue Jays will undergo a rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder, according to broadcaster Hazel Mae. Mae says that Varsho told her that “there’s a rotator cuff issue…that’s been bugging me.” He’ll undergo the surgery as soon as possible in an attempt to return before spring training 2025.
The rapid layoffs of scouts continues. USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale reports that three scouts from both Boston and Miami were let go.
The Shohei Ohtani 50-50 watch continues. In a duel against Miami Marlins righty Darren McCaughan, Ohtani smashed a baseball 105.3 mph for his 48th of the season. He now sits at 48-48.
Latest on MMO
Chris Bello wrote about Sean Manaea‘s improvements this season.
Tyler Antonelle composed the weekly Mets Minors Report.
John Wilson’s weekly statistical spotlight focused on Francisco Alvarez.
Gianna Arantes recapped Tuesday’s victory against the Nationals.
On this Date in Mets History
1963: The last baseball game played at the Polo Grounds. The stadium was just a temporary stay for the Metropolitans, but the legendary ballpark held games between 1876 and 1963. The Mets lost to the Phillies 5-1.
1970: The Mets bought former Cy Young award winner Dean Chance from the Cleveland then-Indians. At the tail end of his career, Chance pitched two innings with New York, giving up three runs.
Born On This Date: Scott Holman (1958), Roger Mason (1957).
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