Morning Briefing: Mets Set To Play Three In Citi

Good morning, Mets fans!

After a series split in Los Angeles, your New York Metropolitans have returned to Citi Field for three in Queens. Probable pitchers for today and tomorrow have been announced, with the Mets’ Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91 ERA in regular season) taking the ball today against the Dodgers’ Walker Buehler (1-6, 5.38 ERA). Jose Quintana and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will face off Wednesday. 

Severino and Buehler both haven’t been at their best lately. Severino has posted a 4.50 ERA this postseason, while Buehler allowed six runs in five innings during his lone start. Severino, though, doesn’t seem worried. When asked about his preparation for today, he said, “Gonna go through some videos…play a little video games and that’ll be it.” The right-hander was also tasked with selecting today’s Mets jerseys. He picked the black ones. “I like black,” Severino said. 

In separate news, manager Carlos Mendoza announced that “there’s a good chance” that veteran J.D. Martinez starts today at designated hitter against the right-handed Buehler. This postseason, Martinez has slapped four singles in 14 at bats, driving in three. Martinez would take a start from Jesse Winker, who has a 1.076 OPS in 15 at-bats during the playoffs. 

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When asked about his Gold Glove finalist snub, Francisco Lindor said, “I thought I had a good defensive year, but I guess there’s other players that had a better defensive year than me. At the end of the day, I’m trying to win a World Series.”

The Mets have some exciting first pitches lined up this week: Wednesday, Darryl Strawberry to Dwight Gooden; Thursday, Robin Ventura to Edgardo Alfonzo; and Friday, Matt Harvey to Yoenis Céspedes. A celebration of Queens through the years.

Latest MLB News

Tropicana Field will not be ready by Opening Day due to damage from Hurricane Milton, per the Tampa Bay Times. The field’s future is cloudy, and team leadership says there are “more questions than answers.” It is still unknown where the Rays will play in 2025.

On Tuesday, Rawlings announced their 2024 Gold Glove finalists for all positions. Notably, Mets starter Luis Severino was nominated, backed by five DRS and some flashy plays. Additionally, the league did not nominate Lindor. Winners of the award will be announced Nov. 3. 

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said, per beat reporter Todd Zolecki, that manager Rob Thomson will return through the 2026 season, and the entire coaching staff is staying put for next season.

NLCS Game 1 between the Mets and Dodgers averaged 8,264,000 viewers, the most watched LCS Game 1 since 2009’s Angels-Yankees clash. It’s the most streamed NLCS Game 1 in Fox Sports history.

Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports that Giants pitching coach Brian Price will be stepping down. Price worked as a pitching coach for several years in the early 2000s before retiring. He then returned to coaching for the 2024 season.

On Tuesday, the Guardians replaced Alex Cobb on their roster with right-hander Ben Lively. Cobb had been acquired at the Trade Deadline, but he’s been battling back injuries for the entirety of the year, limiting him to three starts. He hasn’t been sharp this postseason, pitching just 5 ⅔ innings in two starts, allowing five earned runs.

Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett asked Clayton Kershaw about his plans for 2025, and if perhaps he’d decline his $10 million player option. “I’m going to be a Dodger,” the southpaw replied.

For 162 games, fans get used to local announcers. But come playoffs, national voices take over. The Athletic’s Sam Blum talked with national and local broadcasters, who shared their thoughts on how tough this can be and possible solutions in this article.

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Patrick Glynn wrote about Severino’s Gold Glove nomination and Lindor’s absence from the list.

Jorge Eckardt analyzed Monday’s excellent pitching performance by New York.

On This Date in Mets History

1969: The Mets won their first of two World Series titles. Donn Clendenon’s heroics and a few excellent catches from Tommie Agee and Ron Swoboda led New York to the series victory.

2000: Mike Hampton tossed a complete game shutout to propel the Mets to the National League pennant. Hampton would receive the NLCS MVP for his 16 brilliant scoreless innings in the series.

Born On This Date: Kevin McReynolds (1959), Billy Taylor (1961), Darren Reed (1965), Josías Manzanillo (1967).

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