Good morning Mets fans! The New York Mets (67-66) suffered a catastrophic sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs (72-61) as they fell 4-1 on Thursday night at Citi Field. They now look to put their six-game losing streak behind them as they open a six-game road trip within their division against the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals.

Latest Mets News

The Mets will send Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.46 ERA) to the mound as they open a three-game series with the Phillies. Philadelphia will counter with Aaron Nola (12-4, 3.53 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT with coverage on SNY, WCBS 880 and ESPN Deportes 1050.

Wilson Ramos extended his hitting streak to 22 games. He currently has the eighth-longest streak in franchise history and is one away from tying John Olerud, Mike Vail and Cleon Jones for fifth-longest in franchise history.

Dominic Smith has been cleared to resume baseball activities per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. He has not been cleared to run, however.

Patrick Mooney of The Athletic wrote a piece on Chili Davis, who talked about his experience with the Cubs last season and his experience with the Mets this season.

Former Met Ty Kelly was one of three added to Team Israel’s squad ahead of the European Championships in September. The other two were Nick Rickles and Ben Wanger.

The final three games of the St. Lucie Mets’ season were cancelled due to Hurricane Dorian.

The final two games of the GCL Mets’ season were also cancelled due to Hurricane Dorian.

Matthew Allen, Brett Baty, Kenedy Corona and Reyson Santos were all promoted to the Brooklyn Cyclones following the end of the GCL Mets’ and Kingsport Mets’ seasons.

Latest MLB News

Mark Simon of The Athletic took a look at some hitters who have hit well against the shift and some others who have struggled the most against it.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed Jhon Diaz according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. The 16-year-old Diaz was ranked No. 7 on the international free agent market by Fangraphs and No. 18 by MLB Pipeline.

Thursday marked Matt Harvey‘s opt-out date in his minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics, but he will remain with Oakland, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Harvey, who has a 3.60 ERA in three starts (15 innings) in Triple-A Las Vegas, may make some relief appearances.

The Baltimore Orioles announced that they are extending their protective netting at both Oriole Park and Ed Smith Stadium.

In the AL Wild Card race, the Cleveland Indians hold a 1.5-game lead over the Athletics for the first Wild Card spot and the A’s hold a 1.0-game lead over the Rays for the second Wild Card spot. The Boston Red Sox are the only other team within reasonable striking distance right now as they are 5.5 games back of the A’s.

In the crowded NL Wild Card race, the Nationals hold a 2.5-game lead over the Cubs for the first Wild Card spot and the Chicago Cubs hold a 2.5-game lead over the Phillies for the second Wild Card spot. The Milwaukee Brewers (68-65; 4.0 games back), Arizona Diamondbacks (68-66; 4.5 games back), Mets (67-66; 5.0 games back), Giants (65-68; 7.0 games back) and Cincinnati Reds (63-70; 9.0 games back) are all within 10 games back of the second Wild Card.

Latest NL East News

The Atlanta Braves (81-54) remain atop the NL East standings, followed by the Nationals (74-58; 5.5 games back), Phillies (69-63; 10.5 games back), Mets (67-65; 13.0 games back) and Miami Marlins (48-85; 32.0 games back).

The Marlins were the only NL East team in action besides the Mets. The Fish fell beat the Reds 4-3.

The Nationals released George Kontos according to Paul Braverman who works in the Fresno Grizzlies public relations department.

Christina De Nicola of MLB.com wrote a piece on Eddy Alvarez, a former Olympic speed skater and potential September call-up for the Marlins.

Wells Dusenbury of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wrote about what the Marlins are doing to Marlins Park and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in preparation for Hurricane Dorian. 

Latest on MMO/MMN

Michael Mayer wrote about the Mets’ playoff chances as of Thursday morning, which were slipping away after getting swept by the Braves and losing the first two games of their series with the Cubs.

Mayer also wrote a piece on Paul Sewald who has been giving the Mets some quality innings since his latest reunion with the big league club on Aug. 16.

Gianna Arantes broke down Noah Syndergaard‘s start from Wednesday.

Matt Musico analyzed Marcus Stroman‘s pitch selection and how his sinker usage has gone up and his slider usage has gone down since joining the Mets.

Christopher Soto recapped all the games played by the Mets’ minor league affiliates.

This Day in Mets History

1965: Casey Stengel officially announced his retirement as the Mets’ manager with an hour-long press conference from his home at the Essex House.

1973: The Mets (61-71) were shutout 1-0 by the St. Louis Cardinals (68-65) after Jose Cruz hit a walk-off single against Tom Seaver in the 10th inning. The loss dropped the eventual NL champs to last place in the NL East and 6.5 games behind the first-place Cardinals.

1986: The Mets released a music video called Let’s Go Mets Go!

1999: Edgardo Alfonzo became the first Met to have a six-hit game. The second baseman went 6-for-6 with three home runs, five RBIs and six runs scored as the Mets crushed the Houston Astros 17-1.

2004: Chipper Jones and his then-wife Sharon welcomed their second child into the world, whom they named Shea based off Jones’ success against the Mets at Shea Stadium.

Birthdays: Marlon Byrd and Jon Adkins both turn 42. Tug McGraw was also born on this day in 1944.