Game Thread: Padres vs Mets, 1:10 PM

Thursday, September 18, 2025 • 1:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Randy Vásquez (5-6, 3.72) vs. RHP Jonah Tong (1-2, 8.49)
SNY • MLBN

There is a lot on the line this afternoon at Citi Field. The Mets can take the series with a win, protect their very small lead in the Wild Card race, and help Jonah Tong get back on the winning track. Wednesday night was just not the night for the Mets. The bats continued to hit homers for a second straight game, but a rough start by David Peterson, punctuated by a Manny Machado grand slam, constantly kept the Mets playing from behind. We are heading towards the end of the season, and the Mets just have to win a few more ball games!

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – RF
3. Pete Alonso – 1B
4. Brandon Nimmo – LF
5. Mark Vientos – DH
6. Jeff McNeil – 2B
7. Brett Baty – 3B
8. Luis Torrens – C
9. Cedric Mullins – CF

Jonah Tong’s season numbers (8.49 ERA, 6.06 FIP, 1.714 WHIP, 49 ERA+) are heavily impacted by his last start. Last week, Tong allowed six runs on four hits and three walks while recording only two outs. On a positive note, over his two starts at home, he hasn’t allowed any home runs. All three homers he allowed were in the homer-friendly Reds stadium. We’ve seen Tong flash brilliance on the mound this season, and the Mets absolutely need that brilliance tonight.

Opposing Lineup

1. Fernando Tatis Jr. – RF
2. Luis Arráez – 2B
3. Manny Machado – 3B
4. Jackson Merrill – CF
5. Ramón Laureano – LF
6. Gavin Sheets – DH
7. Ryan O’Hearn – 1B
8. Jake Cronenworth – SS
9. Freddy Fermin – C

Randy Vásquez has a 3.72 ERA, 4.94 FIP, 1.346 WHIP, and a 116 ERA+ over 123 1/3 innings. He’s allowed only two runs over 12 innings in his last two starts while striking out 12 batters, but both starts were against the Rockies. Vásquez was actually sent down to the minors after his August 15th start, but was recalled at the start of September to fill in for Nestor Cortes. The Mets have the following career stats against Vásquez:

• Cedric Mullins 0-3, 2 K
• Jose Siri 0-3, 2 K
• Juan Soto 1-3, HR, K

Game Notes

• The Mets surpassed three million fans for the first time since 2009 on Wednesday night. The team is set to finish fifth in attendance this year, up from 17th in 2024.
• Reed Garrett was placed on the injured list with a right elbow sprain, and Sean Manaea was placed on the injured list. Huascar Brazobán, Chris Devenski, and Wander Suero were called up from Triple-A Syracuse, while Dom Hamel was designated for assignment.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Juan Soto. Soto was just inches away Wednesday night from reaching a season high in home runs and being a hero again for the Mets. He now has 41 homers, as many as he had last season with the Yankees. The Mets will gladly take a big day from Juan Soto today!
2. Pete Alonso. The Mets’ three-hole hitter and all-time home run leader has been on a tear recently, hitting home runs in three consecutive games, going 5-for-12 in those games. He now has a 142 OPS+, the third highest in his career, and is slashing .270/.344/.520 (career .252/.340/.515).
3. Wild Card race. The Giants came back and beat the Diamondbacks yesterday, keeping the Diamondbacks 1.5 games behind the Mets. The Reds and Giants are both two games back. The Reds will send out Hunter Greene against a Cubs team that just clinched a playoff spot yesterday and may have a bit of a hangover for today’s game. The Giants will send out Logan Webb to take on Yamamoto and the Dodgers in what should be a good late-night game.

Let’s go Mets!

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