Friday, September 4, 2026 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
LHP Matt Wilkinson (0-2, 4.63) vs. RHP Nolan McLean (10-8, 3.06)
WPIX

For the first time in forever, the Mets are not playing a first-place club! The San Francisco Giants come to town tonight with a record worse than the Mets, sitting in fourth place in the NL West. The Mets are still 14 games below .500 after winning the series against the Rays earlier this week. They are only three games back from fourth place in the NL East. It’s a weekend series with two teams ready to move on from 2026!

Nolan McLean by Berto Carlo

Mets Lineup

  1. Francisco Lindor – SS
  2. Juan Soto – LF
  3. Bo Bichette – 3B
  4. Mark Vientos – DH
  5. Carson Benge – RF
  6. Marcus Semien – 2B
  7. Christopher Morel – 1B
  8. Francisco Alvarez – C
  9. Nick Morabito – CF

Starting Pitcher: Nolan McLean

McLean is looking to have a strong last month of the season as he builds his case for NL Rookie of the Year. Over 27 games he has pitched 155 2/3 innings with a 3.06 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 1.124 WHIP and a 133 ERA+. He’s been on fire lately, allowing only three runs (two earned) in his last four starts totaling 25 innings (0.72 ERA, 4.14 FIP). The only blemish lately has been walks. He’s walked 13 batters in his last 25 innings. His second start of the season was against the Giants, where he allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. The only players left of the Giants roster who have faced him before are Rafael Devers (0-for-2, K) and Jung Hoo Lee (0-for-2).

Opposing Lineup

  1. Drew Gilbert – CF
  2. Rafael Devers – 1B
  3. Bryce Eldridge – DH
  4. Turner Hill – LF
  5. Jung Hoo Lee – RF
  6. Drew Cavanaugh – C
  7. Osleivis Basabe – 3B
  8. Nate Furman – 2B
  9. Christian Koss – SS

The Mets’ bats will get a look at Matt Wilkinson. Wilkinson was traded by the Guardians in May this season as part of the package for Patrick Bailey. Over his first three career starts, Wilkinson has pitched 11 2/3 innings with a 4.63 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 1.114 WHIP and an 89 ERA+. He’s coming off of his most complete outing of the season, where he pitched six innings while allowing only two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three.

Game Notes

  • President of baseball operations David Stearns stated that he has, “no question,” Lindor will be the Mets’ Opening Day shortstop next season.
  • Morabito will make his first major league appearance in center field tonight. He’s logged 525 2/3 innings at the position for Triple-A Syracuse this year.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Nick Morabito encore! Morabito was still looking for his first major league hit going into Wednesday’s game. About mid-way through the contest, Vientos pinch hit for Brett Baty. Morabito then ran the bases and stayed in the game for Vientos. In Morabito’s next at-bat, he crushed a bases-clearing double for his first career hit. He then got another hit later! With his elusive first hit out of the way, hopefully the hits will flow this weekend!
  2. 20-20 Season. Time is ticking for Benge to get a 20-20 season in his rookie season. He is four home runs and one stolen base away, which has been true for the last week or so. He is coming off of a good game at the plate, where he collected two hits and a walk.
  3. Bo Bichette hitting doubles. Bichette has gone 6-for-15 in his last four games with two walks and three doubles. He now has 24 doubles on the season. While it hasn’t been the best season for Bichette, he’s been a much better hitter lately than earlier in the season.

Let’s go Mets!