Morning Briefing: DeGrom Looks To Slow Dodgers

Good morning, Mets fans!

There was plenty of excitement pre-game as Timmy Trumpet arrived for his first-ever baseball game, before meeting the man who has made him even more famous in Edwin Diaz. Timmy Trumpet then gave a sneak preview of what Diaz’s iconic walk-out song would sound like, although he didn’t get the chance to actually play it live with Diaz not coming into the game.

Taijuan Walker had a solid outing with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched, giving up three earned runs on five hits, but the Mets were unable to rally and former Met Jake Reed came into the ninth to close out the game and get the save in a 4-3 win for the Dodgers. LA is now the first team in the majors to 90 wins, and they are an absolute wagon for a reason.

The Mets will look to take the second game of the series tonight and the good news is they have Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.15 ERA) on the mound, going up against Dodgers LHP Tyler Anderson (13-2, 2.69 ERA). That should be quite the pitching duel, and first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Timmy Trumpet will also be back, looking to give the Mets some more luck and possibly have another chance at playing “Narco” live.

Latest Mets News

There was good news to come out of Mets land on Tuesday with Carlos Carrasco getting through a sim game unscathed, throwing 55 pitches. And, per manager Buck Showalter, if there are no further setbacks then Carrasco could be back in the rotation by the end of the week. And that would be perfect timing for this Mets team who will need every bit of quality pitching they can get down the stretch.

Speaking of pitchers on the comeback trail, Joey Lucchesi made his third rehab appearance for the St. Lucie Mets on Tuesday, tossing a scoreless inning with one strikeout. Lucchesi threw 18 pitches with 10 of them strikes, and his fastball was back up to 91 mph in what should be seen as a positive development. He’s now not allowed an earned run in three one-inning appearances.

With Anderson – who is having a very nice season – going up against deGrom later today, the Dodgers announced that Clayton Kershaw will start on Thursday in the final game of the series. Chris Bassitt is expected to go for the Mets.

Per Anthony DiComo, Brett Baty was unavailable on Tuesday night due to a minor thumb injury suffered over the weekend. That’s why Baty wasn’t an option as a pinch-hitter in either the sixth or ninth inning against the Dodgers.

For those disappointed that Timmy Trumpet didn’t get the chance to play Narco live for Edwin Diaz on Tuesday, don’t be too downhearted. The artist will be at Citi Field again tonight so we may well get our wish after all.

Latest MLB News

Justin Verlander was officially placed on the IL by the Houston Astros on Tuesday, as first reported by Jon Morosi. The veteran ace is 16-3 this season with a 1.84 ERA, but he will now miss at least the next 15 days with a right calf injury. After undergoing an MRI, the injury isn’t considered too serious which is good news for the Astros and their AL Cy Young candidate.

Fancy a good read with your morning coffee? Well, you are in luck. Head over to The Athletic to find out about the 1987 Salt Lake Trappers, who still own the longest winning streak (29 games) in American pro baseball history. Oh, and Bill Murray may have been serving beers too.

The Yankees have signed Chi Chi Gonzalez to a minor league deal, per Jon Heyman of the Post. The RHP last pitched for the Brewers this season, pitching to a 6.35 ERA in four games.

The Atlanta Braves claimed RHP Jesse Chavez off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. The veteran was 1-0 with a 7.59 ERA in 11 games for the Angels this season.

The Dodgers made some transactions prior to Tuesday’s game. They selected Heath Hembree – who came in to relieve Andrew Heaney in the sixth inning on Tuesday – and recalled Jake Reed. The Dodgers also optioned Michael Grove and Phil Bickford.

Shane McClanahan – who is having a hell of a year for the Tampa Bay Rays – was scratched from his start on Tuesday with what looked to be a nasty left shoulder injury. It was later confirmed as left shoulder impingement with further imaging needed. McClanahan is 11-5 this year with a 2.20 ERA and 182 strikeouts.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Tuesday that Harrison Bader is now ramping up his rehab. The outfielder, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, is unlikely to play in games next week but he is nearing a debut in pinstripes.

Seattle Mariners righty Chris Flexens got an out on Tuesday to pass the 300 innings mark over the last two seasons. His option for the 2023 season vests at $8 million.

The Boston Red Sox acquired minor league RHP Taylor Broadway from the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, which completed the August 1 trade for LHP Jake Diekman.

Jake Reed got DFAed by the Dodgers, went to the Mets, got DFAed by the Mets and then returned to the Dodgers, culminating in the RHP coming into the game on Tuesday and shutting down the Mets. He was full of emotion after earning the save, and Reed talked about the emotions he was going through at that moment.

The Baltimore Orioles are in a playoff race – yes, you read that right – and they have called for reinforcements by calling up two of their top prospects. Infielder Gunnar Henderson and reliever DL Hall are flying to Cleveland to join up with the Orioles where they will join the taxi squad, per Roch Kubatko. Henderson is the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball, according to Baseball America, while Hall is ranked No. 56.

We all know the Dodgers have a stacked farm system. Want more proof? James Outman has just hit for the cycle for the second time in four days with the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Pretty incredible stuff.