Morning Briefing: Holmes to Piggyback Manaea Amidst Tight Race

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets dropped Game 2 to the Nationals on Saturday 5-3. The rubber match of the series takes place this afternoon at 1:40 p.m. ET. It will be right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin (8-13, 5.76 ERA, 113 SO) on the mound for Washington against left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea (2-3, 5.40 ERA, 68 SO) on the mound for the home Mets.

Per Laura Albanese of Newsday, Manaea will start for the Mets on Sunday, with Clay Holmes piggybacking him out of the bullpen. In their last turn through the rotation, the Mets did the opposite with Holmes starting and Manaea relieving, and it was successful.

NL Wild Card Standings Update

After dropping Saturday’s game to the Nationals, the Mets sit just one game above the Cincinnati Reds for the third and final Wild Card spot. The Reds beat the Cubs on Saturday.

Arizona sits 2.5 games back of New York after a win over the Phillies. The Giants lost to Dodgers, their third straight defeat, and now trail the Mets by four games.

Latest Mets News

In Mets injury news, Carlos Mendoza told SNY and members of the media on Saturday that Tylor Megill is traveling to Los Angeles for an in-person visit with a surgeon and will “most likely” have UCL surgery.

The New York Mets on Saturday announced the following roster moves:

• Left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady was selected to the major league roster.
• Right-handed pitcher Wander Suero was designated for assignment.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Baltimore Orioles claimed Dominic Hamel off waivers from the Mets.

Hamel released a statement on X thanking the Mets for his time with the organization: “Life moves quick! Thank you to the Mets for making my dream come true and for the amazing coaches and teammates I’ve had along the way. I couldn’t be more grateful for my time, onto the next adventure.”

According to Mike Mayer of Metsmerized Online, there have been two pitchers in MLB history to have at least 45 strikeouts and six runs or fewer allowed in their first seven major league starts: Grover Alexander and Mets rookie Nolan McLean.

Latest MLB News

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that Will Smith went for more scans, which determined he has a hairline fracture in his hand. Because of the fracture, manager Dave Roberts said it’s “doubtful” he will return in the regular season and right now it is “up in the air” whether he will be ready for the start of the postseason.

Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners has set the Seattle franchise record for home runs in a season with 57.

Latest on MMO

Dave Melendi recapped the Mets’ minor league affiliate games from Friday, which included strong performances by Jett Williams and Carson Benge that led Syracuse to a win.

Mojo Hill recapped and discussed Ryan Helsley’s recent success and his ability to figure things out on the mound.

Chris Bello talks about Juan Soto’s new career-high home run record with his 42nd of the season.

Evan Mazza recapped the Mets’ 5-3 loss to the Nationals.

On This Date in Mets History

2001: Mike Piazza hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves in the first major sporting event that took place in New York City after the attacks on 9/11.

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

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