By John Jackson
Good morning Mets fans! The New York Mets (83-76) split their four-game series with the Miami Marlins (56-103) after dropping Thursday’s contest at Citi Field by a score of 4-2. They now close out the season with a three-game home series versus the Atlanta Braves (97-62).
Latest Mets News
Marcus Stroman (9-13, 3.23 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets one more time this season on Friday night. The Braves will counter with Dallas Keuchel (8-7, 3.59 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT, with game coverage on SNY, WCBS 880 and ESPN Deportes 1050.
Before Thursday’s game, Mickey Callaway mentioned that he will scale back the workload of some players in the last few days of the season. Among those players are Justin Wilson, Seth Lugo, Wilson Ramos and Robinson Cano.
Dominic Smith was activated from the 60-day injured list and Jeff McNeil was placed on the 60-day injured list.
Pete Alonso will donate his custom-made 9/11 cleats to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, per Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News.
Also regarding Alonso, he will make an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Oct. 4, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Edwin Diaz allowed a home run in the ninth inning for the 15th time in 2019. That broke Francisco Rodriguez‘s 2014 record of 14 home runs allowed in the ninth inning.
Latest MLB News
Moises Alou took himself out of consideration for the San Diego Padres’ vacant managerial position according to Enrique Rojas of ESPN.
The Detroit Tigers tied the MLB record for most losses at home in a season after losing their 59th home game on Thursday. They also set the record for worst single-season run differential at home (-221), which was previously held by the 1883 Philadelphia Phillies (-215).
James Wagner of The New York Times wrote a story on knitters who attend baseball games to knit.
In the AL Wild Card race, the Oakland Athletics sit in the first Wild Card spot with a one-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cleveland Indians trail the Rays for the second Wild Card by two games with only three games remaining.
The NL Wild Card race remains a matter of seeding. The Washington Nationals hold a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for home-field advantage. However, at the same time the Brewers still have a chance for the NL Central division title as they sit a game back from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Latest NL East News
The Atlanta Braves (97-62) remain atop the NL East standings, followed by the Nationals (90-69; 7.0 games back), Mets (83-76; 14.0 games back), Phillies (79-80; 18.0 games back) and Marlins (56-103; 41.0 games back).
The Nationals beat the Phillies 6-3. The Braves had an off day.
Larry Fleisher of Forbes wrote a piece on how Curtis Granderson remains even-keeled while being on a team that has lost over 100 games.
Latest on MMO/MMN
Joe D. reflected on the 2019 season.
Ryan Finkelstein broke down Jacob deGrom‘s start from Wednesday that seemingly sealed his second consecutive Cy Young Award.
John Sheridan wrote about how Alonso’s 2019 season has put him in the record books alongside Hall of Famers.
Matt Musico compared the Mets’ 2019 season to their other seasons of the decade.
Christopher Soto wrote about how some Mets prospects fared in the Arizona Fall League and Mexican Pacific League on Wednesday.
This Day in Mets History
1983: Mookie Wilson stole second base in the fifth inning to notch his 140th career stolen base, thus becoming the Mets’ all-time career stolen base leader. He would immediately add to it by stealing third in the same inning.
2012: R.A. Dickey pitched 7 2/3 innings of three-run ball en route to his 20th win of the season.
Birthdays: Luis Guillorme turns 25, John Lannan turns 35, Jon Rauch turns 41, Jason Phillips turns 43 and Don Schulze turns 57.
