Friday, June 26, 2026 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Zack Wheeler (7-1, 2.11) vs. LHP Zach Thornton (0-1, 8.31)
WPIX

The Mets had a chance to snap their losing streak last night, but fell short. For a second straight game the Mets made some key errors, leading to three unearned runs scoring in the sixth inning. The Mets were able to claw back to make the game 3-3, sending it to extras. However, the Cubs scored in the 10th and the Mets’ bats couldn’t manage anything in the bottom of the frame.

This morning, the Mets dismissed Carlos Mendoza and appointed Andy Green as the interim manager for the rest of the season. The vibes right now are really at the lowest they have been all season.

The Phillies head to Queens though on the opposite end of the emotion spectrum. They have hit go-ahead home runs in the ninth inning three games in a row. All the momentum is pointing towards the Phillies right now; can the Mets reverse course?

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

  1. Carson Benge – RF
  2. Juan Soto – LF
  3. Bo Bichette – DH
  4. Francisco Lindor – SS
  5. Jared Young – 1B
  6. A.J. Ewing – CF
  7. Ronny Mauricio – 2B
  8. Brett Baty – 3B
  9. Luis Torrens – C

Starting Pitcher: Zach Thornton

Thornton will make his second major league start tonight. In his first start near the end of May, he allowed four runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings against the Nationals. He’s pitched in five games, including four starts in the minors since then. In two of them, he has allowed a combined 11 runs over 8 1/3 innings. In the other two starts, he allowed two runs over nine innings. Between the David Peterson trade and Kodai Senga moving to the bullpen, Thornton may be given a real shot to show the Mets what he can do at the major league level.

Opposing Lineup

  1. Trea Turner – SS
  2. Kyle Schwarber – DH
  3. Bryce Harper – 1B
  4. Alec Bohm – 3B
  5. Brandon Marsh – RF
  6. Derek Hill – CF
  7. J.T. Realmuto – C
  8. Bryson Stott – 2B
  9. Edmundo Sosa – LF

Zack Wheeler has made 11 starts this season totaling 68 1/3 innings with a 2.11 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 0.878 WHIP and a 209 ERA+. In the month of June, he has allowed five runs off of three home runs over 24 2/3 innings (1.82 ERA, 3.55 FIP). This includes a start last week against the Mets where he allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings while striking out seven.

The Mets have the following career numbers against Wheeler:

  • Francisco Alvarez 0-6, BB, 3 K
  • Brett Baty 4-14, HR, 3 K
  • Carson Benge 1-2, HR, BB, K
  • Bo Bichette 3-14, 4 K
  • A.J. Ewing 1-3
  • Francisco Lindor 9-36, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 BB, 8 K
  • Ronny Mauricio 1-3, K
  • Juan Soto 15-56, 2 2B, 3 HR, 17 BB, 16 K
  • Luis Torrens 1-4, K
  • Mark Vientos 4-12, 2B, 4 K
  • Eric Wagaman 1-3, HR< 2 K
  • Luke Weaver 1-2, K
  • Jared Young 2-4, BB, 2 K

Game Notes

  • Prior to Friday’s game, the Mets reinstated Tyrone Taylor from the 10-day injured list and officially recalled Thornton. As the corresponding moves, they optioned Daniel Duarte and MJ Melendez to Triple-A Syracuse.
  • Green told reporters that he will return to his role in player development for the Mets once the season concludes and will only finish out the year as the interim manager.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Fielding. Mets fielding errors have led to eight unearned runs over the last two games. Five unearned runs on Wednesday night, and the Mets lost 10-5. Three unearned runs Thursday night, and the Mets lost 4-3. The Mets don’t just need a win, they need a clean fielding day. At some point, pitchers will start to lose faith in the defense behind them.
  2. What to make of Jared Young? For a solid chunk of time, Young was one of the best hitters on the Mets. That was not sustainable for a host of reasons. Starting on June 12, Young went 2-for-25 over eight games, slashing .080/.115/.195. In his last three games, though, he has gone 2-for-5 with two home runs. One homer came as a starter and the other as a pinch hitter. Hopefully this is the start of another hot streak for Young.
  3. Playing time. Similar to the Young conversation, the Mets are entering a particularly tricky period of playing time. The Mets are clearly easing Lindor back in. Soto likely needs time at DH with his back. Mauricio is playing shortstop when Lindor is not. Vientos is playing first base but is massively struggling defensively. Alvarez has one of the hottest bats on the team, but he cannot take too much catching work. Between Soto, Vientos, Alvarez, Lindor, and Mauricio, the Mets have a lot of players who would benefit from a significant amount of time at DH.

Let’s go Mets!