Wednesday, June 24, 2026 • 1:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Javier Assad (5-1, 3.89) vs. RHP Nolan McLean (4-4, 3.67)
SNY
Last night was more of the same for the Mets. Kodai Senga allowed a ton of runs early for the Mets, and they never were able to climb out of the hole, despite the Mets scoring six runs. Juan Soto left the game early when his back locked up. Francisco Lindor may be activated today, but it won’t happen for the first game the day. The Mets are going to have to stop the bleeding this afternoon without their superstars.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mets Lineup
- Carson Benge – RF
- A.J. Ewing – CF
- Bo Bichette – SS
- Jared Young – 1B
- Francisco Alvarez – DH
- Brett Baty – 3B
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- MJ Melendez – LF
- Luis Torrens – C
Starting Pitcher: Nolan McLean
Nolan McLean has made 15 starts totaling 83 1/3 innings with a 3.67 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 1.092 WHIP and a 112 ERA+. McLean is coming off of a great start where he held the Cubs to one unearned run over seven innings while striking out nine batters. In his last four starts he has allowed only four earned runs over 22 innings while striking out 22 batters (1.64 ERA, 3.15 FIP). The Cubs have the following career numbers against McLean:
- Michael Busch 0-3, K
- Pete Crow-Armstrong 0-2, 2 K
- Ian Happ 1-2, 2B, BB, K
- Nico Hoerner 0-3, K
- Carson Kelly 0-2, K
- Matt Shaw 0-2, 2 K
- Seiya Suzuki 2-3, 2 HR, K
- Dansby Swanson 1-1, HR, BB
Opposing Lineup
- Pete Crow-Armstrong – CF
- Michael Conforto – RF
- Michael Busch – 1B
- Seiya Suzuki – DH
- Ian Happ – LF
- Nico Hoerner – 2B
- Pedro Ramirez – 3B
- Miguel Amaya – C
- Dansby Swanson – SS
Javier Assad has pitched in 11 games making five starts this season, totaling 44 innings with a 3.89 ERA, 4.42 FIP, 1.000 WHIP and a 102 ERA+. Since returning to the rotation in June Assad has been quite good, allowing only two runs over 18 innings in three games (1.00 ERA, 3.83 FIP). He faced the Mets earlier this season allowing only one run from three hits over 5 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against Assad:
- Francisco Alvarez 1-2, 2B
- Brett Baty 2-5, K
- Carson Benge 0-3, K
- Bo Bichette 2-7, BB, K
- MJ Melendez 1-5, HR, K
- Marcus Semien 1-3
- Zack Short 1-3, BB, K
- Juan Soto 0-3, K
- Luis Torrens 1-2, 2B
- Mark Vientos 0-4
Game Notes
Right-handed pitcher Jonathan Pintaro is the 27th player doubleheader.
Francisco Lindor will likely be in the Game 2 lineup.
Carlos Mendoza said Juan Soto is still being looked at by the Mets training staff after leaving Tuesday night’s game early.
Kodai Senga has been moved to the bullpen.
Three Things To Watch For
- MJ Melendez. Melendez’s time on the Mets could be rapidly coming to a close. Tyrone Taylor and Ronny Mauricio are both rehabbing in Syracuse. Over 53 games, 137 PA’s, Melendez has hit .184/.309/.351 and an 86 ERA+. He has been dreadful in June going 5-for-38 with 17 K’s over 17 games, slashing .132/.283/.263. Today may be his last chance to make a strong statement for why he should stay up.
- Bo Bichette. Bo is the star this afternoon in the Mets lineup. He’ll be hitting behind both Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing with Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez rounding out the top half of the lineup. Bo Bichette went 2-for-4 last night with a home run in the ninth inning. He also had two strikeouts, including one on a foul tip in the second inning that left the bases loaded when the Mets were down three.
- Francisco Alvarez. The Mets are playing both catchers in the lineup this afternoon, on a day where they are playing two. With the Juan Soto injury the Mets need Alvarez’s bat. Alvarez will be DH’ing in game one. Last night he went 2-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season. Since returning from injury he has gone 12-for-40 at the plate with two home runs (.300/.333/.450).
Let’s go Mets!
