Good morning Mets fans! The New York Mets (71-68) enjoyed a day off on Thursday following their series victory against the Washington Nationals (78-61) on Wednesday. They now begin a 10-game homestand which will start with the Philadelphia Phillies (72-67); one of the four teams currently separating the Mets from the second Wild Card.
Latest Mets News
The Mets have shown interest in Jeremy Jeffress according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. The Cincinnati Reds and Phillies likewise have interest in the 2018 All-Star.
Jed Lowrie homered in his rehab game with the Brooklyn Cyclones to give them a 1-0 victory and to tie up their playoff series with the Hudson Valley Renegades at 1-1.
Josh Finkelstein of MMO interviewed Lowrie after the game about why he chose the Mets in the offseason and whether Thursday’s contest was his last rehab game.
Noah Syndergaard teamed up with Monster Truck driver Bryce Kenny at P.S. 111 in Manhattan for a charity event during the school’s first day in session since summer vacation. Syndergaard donated $40,000, posed for photographs and talked with the students of the elementary school.
Dominic Smith visited RFK Middle School in Queens during their first day back, to hand out some school supplies and pizza to the students.
Michael Conforto made a surprise visit to all the children at the Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
Citi Field is recommending the use of mass transit and ridesharing services during the Mets’ series with the Phillies, since the U.S. Open is still going on.
Rustin Dodd of The Athletic shared some stories from Pete Alonso‘s past.
Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated analyzed Alonso’s 2019 campaign up until now as a whole and declared him to be the happiest man in baseball.
Latest MLB News
John Sickels of The Athletic released his updated list of the top 100 prospects in baseball. The list was updated for the first time since June to include the 2019 draftees and not include players who have exceeded rookie qualifications.
Craig Kimbrel was placed on the 10-day injured list per Jesse Rogers of ESPN 1000. Jeff Passan of ESPN noted that Kimbrel has elbow inflammation.
Aaron Sanchez is out for the remainder of the season and is set to have shoulder surgery next week as reported by Jake Kaplan of The Athletic.
Carlos Correa left his agent Greg Genske and hired talent agency William Morris Endeavor to represent him in regards to marketing and baseball contracts according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
In the AL Wild Card race, the Tampa Bay Rays sit in the first Wild Card spot with a 0.5-game lead and the Oakland Athletics hold a 1.0-game lead over the Cleveland Indians for the second Wild Card spot. The Boston Red Sox are the next closest team, being 6.5 games behind the Athletics for the second Wild Card.
In the NL Wild Card race, the Nationals hold a 2.0-game lead in the first Wild Card spot and the Chicago Cubs hold a 3.5-game lead in the second Wild Card spot. The Arizona Diamondbacks (73-67; 3.5 games back), Philadelphia Phillies (72-67; 4.0 game back), Milwaukee Brewers (71-68; 5.0 games back), Mets (71-68; 5.0 games back) and San Francisco Giants (67-73; 9.5 games back) and are all on the outside looking in.
Latest NL East News
The Atlanta Braves (87-54) remain atop the NL East standings, followed by the Nationals (78-61; 8.0 games back), Phillies (72-67; 14.0 games back), Mets (71-68; 15.0 games back) and Miami Marlins (50-89; 36.0 games back).
The Braves beat the Nationals 4-2, the Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-7 and the Phillies fell to the Reds 4-3 in 11 innings.
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported that there is increasing speculation within the industry that Stephen Strasburg will opt out of the remaining four years and $100 million on his current contract with the Nationals. Another scenario is that he could leverage that possibility into getting a larger contract with the Nats.
Brian Moran made his MLB debut on Thursday in the fourth inning of the Marlins’ game against the Pirates. He faced his younger brother Colin Moran and struck him out. It was the first time in MLB history in which a pitcher has faced his brother during his MLB debut.
The Braves announced that they recalled Alex Jackson and Adam Duvall from Triple-A Gwinnett and placed Jackson on the 60-day injured list with a left knee sprain. They also reinstated Darren O’Day from the 60-day injured list.
Latest on MMO/MMN
Brian Devine interviewed Syndergaard during the charity event at P.S. 111 in Manhattan. Syndergaard shared his desire to stay with the Mets and mentioned that they have yet to discuss any contract extensions with him.
Gianna Arantes wrote about Alonso who hit his MLB-leading 45th home run on Wednesday.
Matt Musico discussed the Mets’ recent series with the Nats and mentioned that they must perform similarly to how the Nats have over the last few weeks.
John Sheridan continued his “3 Up, 3 Down” series following the Mets’ three-game set with the Nationals.
Tim Ryder wrote about Robinson Cano‘s successful return to the lineup on Wednesday.
Michael Mayer recapped Game 1 of the Cyclones’ playoff series with the Renegades.
This Day in Mets History
1985: The Mets beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 in 13 innings, but the story of the game were the two teams’ starters. Dwight Gooden pitched nine shutout innings and struck out 10 Dodgers, while Fernando Valenzuela threw 11 shutout innings and struck out five Mets.
Birthdays: Donnie Hart turns 29, Jerry Blevins turns 36 and Alex Escobar turns 41.
