3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Use Big Bats To Avoid LA Sweep

The New York Mets managed to salvage something from their series against the Dodgers.

After dropping the first two games at Citi Field, the Mets used some clutch hitting and big hits to take the series finale and avoid the season sweep.

As a result, the Mets snapped a three-game losing streak. However, they are still 18 games below .500 with a 44-62 record.

With that, let’s recap everything from the Dodgers series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

3 UP

RED-HOT TAYLOR

Not only is Tyrone Taylor on a heater right now, but he’s probably also turning himself into a pretty valuable trade chip. The veteran outfielder was a spark plug throughout the Dodgers series. He gave the Mets a chance in Saturday’s game with a clutch two-run pinch-hit double. While those runs ultimately proved to be in vain in a close loss, Taylor did play a huge role in Sunday’s win. He hit a three-run bomb in the sixth inning to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead, a lead the Mets never relinquished. Furthermore, since returning from the IL in late June, Taylor has five homers in 18 games with a 1.403 OPS. He could be a tantalizing target for a contender in need of offensive depth and strong outfield defense.

DOING HIS BIT

Sean Manaea held up his end of the bargain on Friday night by delivering a more than solid outing on the mound. He allowed just one run on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts over six innings. In other words, Manaea largely shut down the vaunted Dodgers lineup. While the Mets still lost the game, Manaea’s quality start gave them every chance, and that’s all you can ask out of your starter.

CLOSING IT OUT

Other than Friday night, the bullpen delivered for the Mets over the weekend. While Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter gave the series opener away, others stepped up over the rest of the weekend. It started on Saturday when Daniel Duarte and Huascar Brazobán combined for three scoreless innings to keep the Mets in with a chance. Then, on Sunday, Cionel Pérez provided two scoreless innings of relief in a big spot. That was backed up by Raley, Luke Weaver, and Devin Williams coming together to shut down the Dodgers the rest of the way. No matter what, this bullpen finds a way to come through.

3 DOWN

TIME TO SHUT DOWN?

Maybe it is time for the Mets to put Juan Soto on the shelf for the rest of the year. The superstar outfielder was placed on the IL on Saturday with a left calf strain. It is more severe than the right calf strain he suffered earlier in the season. Given that Soto is expected to miss up to four weeks of action, the Mets should do the sensible thing and shut him down until 2027. With nothing left to play for, it makes no sense to mess around with a guy who has now had two separate calf injuries this year, especially when talking about a player of Soto’s importance.

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE?

If Sunday’s game proves to be Freddy Peralta‘s last in a Mets uniform, then it will be a fitting farewell. In a mirror image of his entire season, Peralta struggled in the series finale. He gave up three runs – two earned – on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. He also needed a whopping 93 pitches just to get through four innings. With a 4.99 ERA on the year, Peralta’s time with the Mets has been a monumental failure. It might be best for all parties to have a fresh start.

ERROR CITY

It wouldn’t be the 2026 Mets without an error-laden game. With the first two games of the series both being decided by two runs or less, small margins were going to be key. Well, as has been the case this year, the Mets couldn’t get out of their own way in that regard. Take Saturday’s game, for instance. With the game scoreless in the third inning, Brett Batyand Nolan McLean both made critical mistakes, effectively handing the game and series to the Dodgers. Sloppy play continues to doom the Mets.