Morning Briefing: Mets Keep Ground in Wild Card Race Despite Loss

Good morning, Mets fans!

Wild Card Update

Despite the Mets getting shellacked by the Phillies in a 12-2 loss Friday night, they remain two games ahead of the Braves for control of the final Wild Card spot after Atlanta lost to the Marlins 4-3. It’s a painful loss for the Braves, who couldn’t defeat the lowly Marlins to take advantage of New York’s defeat.

While the Mets will take staying two games in front of the Braves, with their loss they fell back behind the Diamondbacks and further behind the Padres, as both teams won Friday night. The Mets are now one game behind Arizona for the second Wild Card spot and three games behind San Diego for the top Wild Card spot.

Latest Mets News

The Mets and Phillies play their third game of the four-game series at 4:10 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon. It will be a battle of lefties, with Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.26 ERA) taking the mound against Ranger Suárez (12-7, 3.13 ERA).

Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters before Friday’s game that Kodai Senga will pitch for Syracuse on Saturday and he will throw about 30-35 pitches over one or two innings. The belief is that Senga’s next outing after that will be in the major leagues, which could come in the final series against the Brewers.

Mendoza also mentioned to reporters that Francisco Lindor would resume baseball activities on Friday, and there was a hope he’d be able to return to the lineup for Saturday’s game.

The Mets announced their Player Development Award winners early Friday, given to this season’s top minor league players and staff members. Here are the winners:

• Player of the Year: Nick Morabito (.312/.403/.398/.801, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 59 SB, 74 R, 142 H in 119 games between St. Lucie and Brooklyn)
• Pitcher of the Year: Brandon Sproat (7-4, 3.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 130 SO, 116 1/3 IP in 24 appearances between Brooklyn, Binghamton, and Syracuse)
• DSL Player of the Year: Edward Lantigua (.263/.397/.395/.792, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 9 SB, 28 R, 40 H in 45 games)
• DSL Pitcher of the Year: Jose Guevara (3-2, 1.64 ERA, 0.841 WHIP, 52 SO, 44 IP in 10 appearances)
• Minor League Staff Member of the Year: Ches Goodman (Coordinator, Minor League Operations)
• Dominican Academy Staff Member of the Year: Anthony Sambois (Manager, Latin America Baseball Systems)

Latest MLB News

Juan Soto was scratched from the Yankees’ lineup Friday night, a day after he injured himself sliding into the outfield wall. Soto experienced soreness and swelling in his knee, prompting his removal from the lineup. Soto’s X-rays came back negative, and he is not expected to undergo additional testing.

The Diamondbacks reinstated outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the injured list and designated former Met Luis Guillorme for assignment. Gurriel last played September 1, but he’s been a big part of the Diamondbacks offense this year with 17 home runs and a .744 OPS. Guillorme, meanwhile, had just a .563 OPS in 18 games with Arizona, and he has a .574 OPS overall this year between three teams.

Latest on MMO

In the latest Mets Minors Recap, Michael Mayer highlights another stellar performance in Syracuse from Jett Williams.

Colin Chatto breaks down the fantastic night at the plate from Brandon Nimmo on Thursday, which helped the Mets defeat the Phillies.

David Melendi writes about how Mark Vientos has earned consideration for the Silver Slugger Award this year. He would become just the third Mets third baseman (Howard Johnson, David Wright) to win the award.

On This Date in Mets History

2001: The Mets played in the first sporting event in New York City following the 9/11 attacks just 10 days prior. Mike Piazza delivered his iconic home run in the eighth inning to help the Mets defeat the Braves 3-2.

Born On This Date: Antonio Bastardo (1985), Joaquín Arias (1984), Greg Burke (1982), Scott Rice (1981), D.J. Dozier (1965).

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