Morning Briefing: Mets Look For Sweep of Diamondbacks

Good morning Mets fans! On Wednesday, the Mets thumped the Diamondbacks by a score of 9-0 to pickup a series victory.

Steven Matz gutted out six shutout innings striking out seven, walking three, and allowing four-hits.

The Mets have now won three-straight and are looking to secure the four-game sweep in the final game today. The team sits just two-games back of the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card standings with 17 left to play.

Struggling right-hander Marcus Stroman (7-13, 3.42 ERA) will try to get back on track in the final game of this series this afternoon as he takes on D-Backs rookie starter Alex Young (7-3, 3.38 ERA).

First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. E.T. and the game can be seen on SNY.

Now let’s take a look at what else went on around the league yesterday!

Latest Mets News

Todd Frazier and Jeff McNeil became the first Mets to have multi-homer performances in the same game since April of 2017 per NYM Stats.

The Mets now have four-players with at least 20 home runs this season as Gary Cohen noted on SNY’s broadcast.

Pete Alonso ordered red-white-and-blue 9/11 cleats for all of his teammates to sport during Wednesday’s game on the day’s 18th anniversary, as SNY tweeted.

Mickey Callaway provided updates on the Wilson Ramos–Noah Syndergaard catching situation, as Tim Ryder of MMO noted.

“Where else would you rather play than New York,” says slugger Michael Conforto in Mike Puma of The New York Post‘s Wednesday afternoon column.

Former manager Terry Collins will be back with the Mets next season as senior advisor of player personnel, per Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

Justin Toscano of The Record discusses the unorthodox path to the big leagues for current Mets’ Joe Panik, Paul Sewald, and Sam Haggerty.

Mets young prospect catcher Francisco Alvarez makes Baseball America’s Rookie All-Star list.

Wild Card Watch

After last night’s loss to the Padres, the Cubs are now tied with the Brewers for the second Wild Card spot at 77-68.

The Cubs have nine-of-their-last-16 games against the Pirates and Reds to finish the season.

The Phillies fell to the Braves 3-1 on Wednesday night, which has them now tied with the Mets in the standings as both teams are two-games back at 75-70.

The Diamondbacks are a half-game behind the Mets and 3.5 back of the Cubs and Brewers following last night’s 9-0 defeat.

Latest MLB News

Yankees pitcher Luis Severino made a rehab start in Trenton last night hanging around 96-97 mph with his fastball while topping out at 98. Scouts say he also looked sharp with his slider and curve. Appears close to a return to the majors after giving up one-earned run on five hits in 3.2 innings with four strikeouts.

It is starting to seem unlikely that Yankees centerfielder Aaron Hicks making it back for the postseason, says Sherman.

Despite having their game postponed last night, the Yankees took over the best-record in the American League by a half game after the Houston Astros lost their second-straight to the Oakland Athletics.

After suffering a variety of injuries over the past eight-years in the Seattle Mariners system, now with the Cubs, former 2011 first round pick Danny Hultzen is being promoted to the big leagues, per Bleacher Nation.

Latest NL East News

Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis is reportedly expected back as early as Friday after fracturing his left wrist in late July, per Paul Casella of MLB.com.