Author: David Melendi

Morning Briefing: New Home Run Derby Format Announced

Good morning, Mets fans! Try not to roll your eyes if anyone wishes you a Happy Bobby Bonilla Day. Major League Baseball is tweaking the Home Run Derby rules. Eight hitters will start, with four advancing to the second round and ties will be broken by the longest home run. The semifinals will be bracket style with the top finisher of the first round facing the player with the fourth best first...

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McNeil Blast Cools Off Houston In 7-2 Win

Maybe the gift got Jeff McNeil going. Mic’d up Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña misplayed a routine pop-up in the second inning whilst chatting with the Apple TV+ broadcast booth. McNeil, who entered Friday hitting .170 in June and .213 on the season, was credited with an infield single after the ball bounced in front of Peña and behind third baseman Alex Bregman, who looked like he...

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Stearns’ Small Moves Making Big Difference

The hot bats of the Franciscos, Alvarez and Lindor, Mark Vientos, a clutch J.D. Martinez and many others all deserve praise for the Mets’ run in June, along with the steady hand of Carlos Mendoza. The president of baseball operations deserves credit, too. David Stearns, 39, has made a lot of in-season moves in his first year at the helm to help the Mets get back to .500 at 39-39 after...

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Francisco Alvarez Fueling Mets’ Recent Success

Blasphemy, I know, but what if the Mets’ recent success had nothing to do with Grimace? What if the rally pimp never made a difference? Is the soon-to-be Citi Field summer anthem “OMG” by Jose Iglesias just a song? (OK, that’s ridiculous.) But what if the answer blowing in the wind is Francisco Alvarez? The Mets are 22-8 (22-3 in the last 25) when he plays and 17-31 when...

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Homer-Happy Mets Sweep Subway Series to Reach .500

OMG, the Mets have reached the .500 mark! And with a two-game Subway Series sweep, a Mets season that appeared derailed just a few weeks ago looks back on track. Francisco Alvarez homered, doubled and drove in three, Sean Manaea induced three double play balls, and the Mets (39-39) routed the Yankees 12-2 at Citi Field Wednesday to climb back to .500 for the first time since May 7. J.D....

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