Morning Briefing: Mets Enter Three-Way Tie in Wild Card Race

Good morning, Mets fans!

Wild Card Update

Friday was a nightmare for the Mets, who lost 8-4 in their series opener in Milwaukee. Sean Manaea allowed a first-inning grand slam to Mets villain Rhys Hoskins, and New York couldn’t recover from there. It didn’t help matters that the Braves took care of business against the Royals, shutting them out to move into a tie with the Mets.

The Diamondbacks also lost, falling 5-3 to the Padres, the top Wild Card team in the National League. With Arizona’s loss, the Mets, Braves and Diamondbacks are now all tied for the final two Wild Card spots, with the Mets’ magic number to clinch down to three.

Latest Mets News

In the seventh inning of Friday’s loss, Francisco Alvarez exited the game with an apparent back injury after sliding into third base. He needed to be helped off the field. The Mets announced following his departure that Alvarez left the game due to back spasms.

Following the game, manager Carlos Mendoza said that Alvarez was moving better after his removal from the game, and there’s optimism that his injury won’t keep him out long, if at all.

Mendoza also announced after the game that Jose Quintana will take the mound for the Mets on Saturday.

In a pregame press conference on Friday, David Stearns clarified to the media a couple of rules regarding the potential doubleheader the Mets might have to play on Monday. Stearns spoke on the rules that September doubleheaders do not allow teams to carry an extra player, and if a player is optioned, he must remain in the minor leagues for 10-15 days.

Stearns also spoke on Kodai Senga, who has been throwing and should be facing hitters soon. Stearns said that will happen “whenever he feels ready for it.”

Latest MLB News

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker is leaving the team due to a death in his family. He has likely managed his last game in Miami, as he is not expected back after a disastrous second season.

MLB attendance has increased in consecutive years for the first time since the 2011-12 seasons. Rob Manfred told Sports Business Journal, “It’s an important sign of the strength of our business.”

Per Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Cardinals are preparing to overhaul their player development system, a process that will be led by former Red Sox general manager Chaim Bloom.

Latest on MMO

Jack Markowski writes about how the Mets need J.D. Martinez and Jesse Winker to start producing again on offense.

Michael Mayer details all of the scenarios in which the Mets can make the postseason.

On This Date in Mets History

2008: The Mets played their final game at Shea Stadium, which had been the team’s home since 1964. They played the Marlins in front of a crowd of 56,059 and lost 4-2.

Born On This Date: Danny Mendick (1993), Mike DeJean (1970), Ronn Reynolds (1958).

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