Good morning Mets fans! The New York Mets were idle on Thursday as they received a day off. During their day off, they took a half game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, closed within 2.5 games of the Chicago Cubs and fell back to 3.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
Latest Mets News
The Mets open a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Jacob deGrom (9-8, 2.61 ERA) will look to continue his strong second half and try to bolster his case for a second consecutive Cy Young Award as he faces off with Luis Castillo (15-6, 3.22 ERA) of the Reds. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT, with game coverage on SNY, WCBS 880 and ESPN Deportes 1050.
Andres Gimenez and Ali Sanchez both got in some action as the Arizona Fall League got underway on Wednesday. Gimenez drove in the game-winning run for the Scottsdale Scorpions with a RBI double in the top of the ninth. Sanchez, a catcher, came in as a defensive replacement at first base in the bottom of the ninth.
Tim Britton of The Athletic wrote a piece on how the Mets are rallying around Leighton Accardo; the seven-year-old daughter of Mets’ pitching strategist Jeremy Accardo. Leighton was diagnosed with Stage IV germ cell cancer during the second week of May.
Ken Davidoff of the New York Post argues that the Mets can make a strong case for having the deepest roster of anyone in the NL Wild Card race.
Latest MLB News
The New York Yankees clinched the American League East division with a 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. It was their first divisional title since 2012.
Although celebrations were had in the Bronx on Thursday night, the Yankees did receive bad news on Thursday afternoon about Domingo German. The 27-year-old was placed on administrative leave while under investigation for a domestic violence incident, as announced by MLB.
Anthony Rizzo made his return to the Cubs’ lineup. The team also announced that Craig Kimbrel was activated from the 10-day injured list and Addison Russell was activated from the 7-day concussion list.
Kolten Wong suffered a mild hamstring strain in Thursday’s contest against the Cubs and will get a MRI on Friday according to Derrick S. Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
In what has become a three-way AL Wild Card race, the Oakland Athletics sit in the first Wild Card spot with a 2.0-game lead over both the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians who currently share the second Wild Card spot.
In the NL Wild Card race, the Washington Nationals hold a 1.0-game lead while in the first Wild Card spot and the Milwaukee Brewers hold a 1.0-game lead while in the second Wild Card spot. The Cubs (82-71; 1.0 game back), Mets (79-73; 3.5 games back), Phillies (78-73; 4.0 games back) and Arizona Diamondbacks (78-75; 5.0 games back) are all in the hunt.
Latest NL East News
The Atlanta Braves (94-60) remain atop the NL East standings, followed by the Nationals (83-68; 9.5 games back), Mets (79-73; 14.0 games back), Phillies (78-73; 14.5 games back) and Miami Marlins (53-99; 40.0 games back).
The Braves beat the Phillies 5-4. Just like the Mets, both the Marlins and Nationals had the day off.
Latest on MMO/MMN
Michael Mayer wrote about the NL Cy Young race and how Max Scherzer‘s recent rough start further opens it up.
Mayer also listed an updated version of the Mets top 30 prospects according to Mets Minors.
Tim Ryder broke down Noah Syndergaard‘s start against the Rockies on Wednesday.
Matt Musico wrote about deGrom’s strong second half and how it mirrors his second half from last season.
John Sheridan wrote an update on the NL Wild Card race prior to Thursday’s games around the league.
Sheridan continued his “3 Up, 3 Down” series after the Mets’ three-game set with the Colorado Rockies.
Sheridan also listed and wrote about the pitching leaders within the Mets’ minor league short season teams.
This Day in Mets History
1966: In their fifth year as a franchise, the Mets won their 63rd game of the season to clinch their first non-100 loss season.
1969: The eventual world champion Mets were no-hit by Bob Moose of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1973: Willie Mays officially announced his retirement at a press conference which was held at the Diamond Club at Shea Stadium. Later that night the Mets also beat the Pirates 4-3 in what became known as the “Ball on the Wall Game.”
Birthdays: AJ Ramos turns 33, Jason Bay turns 41, Dave Gallagher turns 59 and Dennis Ribant turns 78.
