Morning Briefing: Mets One Game Ahead of Reds Entering Final Series

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets took a crucial series win over the Cubs with an 8-5 victory Thursday at Wrigley Field, keeping control of their postseason fate. Nolan McLean struck out 11 over 5 1/3 innings, while Francisco Lindor hit his 30th home run of the season to join Juan Soto as the second Mets player in the 30/30 club this year. Brandon Nimmo, Brett Baty and Tyrone Taylor powered the offense, which broke out for eight runs on 10 hits. Read the full recap here.

The Wild Card race is looking like it will come down to the Mets and Reds for the third spot. The Reds beat the Pirates 2-1 on Thursday to stay within a game of New York. And the Reds have the potential tiebreaker, so the Mets really need to maintain their lead with three games left in the season.

The Diamondbacks lost to the Dodgers, 8-0, as Los Angeles clinched its 12th NL West title in the last 13 years. Arizona is still mathematically alive, but it’s in significant trouble now at two games behind the Mets with just three games to go.

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Latest Mets News

Fish On First reported that the Marlins will start Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, and Edward Cabrera in their series against the Mets.

The Mets’ final regular-season series of 2025 begins Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET with Brandon Sproat (0-1, 3.94 ERA) facing Alcantara (10-12, 5.48 ERA).

The NYS Gaming Commission announced that the Metropolitan Park Community Advisory Committee will hold its final vote on Sept. 30. Steve Cohen’s proposal to build a casino and entertainment complex outside Citi Field is one of four New York City projects still in the running. If approved, it would advance to a December vote by the Gaming Facility Location Board, where up to three licenses are expected to be awarded.

As Laura Albanese of Newsday noted, McLean will retain his rookie status for 2026. If he wins Rookie of the Year or finishes top-three in Cy Young or MVP voting before arbitration, the Mets would receive an extra draft pick.

Latest MLB News

According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Charlie Morton will now start Sunday’s game against the Pirates, with Chris Sale set to follow. It’s a fitting ending for Morton, who spent much of his career with the Pirates and Braves.

Per a team announcement reported by MLB Trade Rumors, the Orioles claimed pitcher Carson Ragsdale off waivers and designated former Mets pitcher Dom Hamel for assignment.

MLB announced the Padres and Cubs will face off in an NL Wild Card best-of-three series beginning Sept. 30, with the venue to be decided this weekend.