Morning Briefing: Mets Open Big Series in Phoenix
Good morning, Mets fans!
The Mets begin the next leg of their road trip today with a huge three-game series against the scorching-hot Diamondbacks. Arizona has won six straight games and are a major league-best 26-8 since the All-Star break. The two teams split a four-game series at Citi Field earlier this season. Sean Manaea (9-5, 3.48 ERA) will look to keep his run of success going against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.94 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m.
Aug 24, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Wild Card Update
The Padres defeated the Cardinals 7-4 behind a pair of three-RBI performances from Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill.
Matt Olson drove in five runs as the Braves trounced the Twins 10-6, moving the Mets to three games back of a Wild Card spot.
Latest Mets News
Francisco Lindor was named the NL Player of the Week for the week of August 19. Lindor batted .345/.387/.793 with three homers, four doubles, and six RBIs over the seven games. Additionally, Jose Iglesias‘ stellar diving on Sunday was named the Electric Play of the Week.
Latest MLB News
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Monday that Javier Báez will undergo hip surgery, ending his season. Báez was placed on the injured list ahead of the team’s series opener against the White Sox.
Pirates skipper Derek Shelton said Monday that Oneil Cruz will play center field going forward, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa playing shortstop and Nick Gonzales playing second base. Cruz’s only professional experience in the outfield has been in left field, where he played 80 innings in Triple-A and one inning in the majors in 2022.
The Padres are signing 2023 All-Star Game MVP Elías Díaz to a minor league contract. Díaz batted .270/.315/.378 with five homers and 18 doubles in 327 plate appearances for the Rockies before being released on August 16.
The Cubs have placed left-hander Drew Smyly on outright waivers. Working exclusively as a reliever, Smyly has put together a solid year, posting a 2.84 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings.
Danny Jansen made history on Monday, becoming the first player ever to play for both teams in the same game. Jansen was at bat when play between the Blue Jays and Red Sox was suspended on June 26. When play resumed, Jansen was inserted into Boston’s lineup as the team’s catcher, and Daulton Varsho pinch-hit in Jansen’s spot in Toronto’s lineup.
Latest on MMO
Matt Lazzaro looks at the strong performances of David Peterson and Francisco Lindor, who are the MMO Players of the Week.
John Wilson gives his weekly statistical analysis of Mark Vientos.
Johnluke Chaparro breaks down Jose Quintana‘s start on Sunday.
On This Date in Mets History
1969: The Mets set a new franchise record with their 74th win of the season, defeating the Padres 4-1. Jerry Koosman allows just two hits and strikes out six in a complete game. With the Cubs losing for the seventh time in their last eight games, the Mets are just two games out of first place in the NL East.
1974: Benny Ayala goes deep in his first big league at-bat, kickstarting a 4-2 win for the Mets over the Astros. Tug McGraw tosses six innings of one-run ball to earn the win on the mound.
1986: In the bottom of the 11th inning in San Diego, the Mets turn a bizarre game-ending double play, which begins with a Tim Flannery single to center field. Lenny Dykstra throws out Garry Templeton trying to score the tying run, and then John Gibbons fires down to third base where Howard Johnson tags out Flannery for the final out.
2015: In the 10th of a tied game against the Phillies, Carlos Torres and Daniel Murphy combine for a highlight-reel play after Jeff Francoeur‘s line drive ricochets off Torres’ leg. The Mets then score four runs in the 13th inning to secure a four-game sweep and their seventh straight victory.
2019: The Mets fall to the Cubs, but Pete Alonso sets a franchise record by crushing his 42nd homer of the year.
2022: Before their Old Timers’ Day game, the Mets retire Willie Mays‘ number 24. This fulfills Joan Payson’s promise to retire Mays’ number when the team traded for him in 1972.
Birthdays: Mike Maddux (63), Brian McRae (57), Nick Tropeano (34)
The post Morning Briefing: Mets Open Big Series in Phoenix appeared first on Metsmerized Online.