Morning Briefing: Mets Rise in Power Rankings

Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

MLB.com released their latest power rankings on Monday, and the Mets rose six spots to No.3, trailing just the Rays and Braves. While the Mets dropped their last two games to the Giants, they went 7-3 on their 10-game road trip out west. The Mets have also played 17 of their first 23 games on the road, going 10-7 in those games.

Latest Mets News

The Mets begin a three-game series with the Nationals tonight at Citi Field. The Mets have yet to announce a starter for tonight’s game, with Max Scherzer still being suspended until May 1. The Nats will send right-hander Josiah Gray (0-4, 3.74 ERA) as he will try to beat the Mets for the first time in his career. In three career starts against New York, Gray has given up 16 earned runs in 12 innings. Last season, the Mets took 14 of their 19 meetings with Washington, outscoring the Nats 105-58. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Latest MLB News

The Rays won yet again, beating the Astros 8-3 to improve to 20-3 on the season and 14-0 at home. Tampa Bay is the first team in the live ball era to win their first 14 home games in a season and the only teams to begin with a longer home winning streak are the 1884 St. Louis Maroons (16), 1886 Detroit Wolverines (18), and 1880 Chicago White Stockings (21). In Monday night’s win, Wander Franco ranged from the shortstop position all the way out to medium-deep left field to make a barehanded catch on a pop fly.

The Marlins announced the six teams participating in the 2024 Caribbean Series that will be held at loanDepot Park: the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Curacao, and Nicaragua. The Marlins will also hold a “Serie del Caribe Celebration” at the stadium this weekend when the team hosts the Cubs.

The Orioles are promoting 2022 number-one overall draft pick Jackson Holliday to High-A Aberdeen. The 19-year-old shortstop tore up the Carolina League, hitting a rollicking .392/.523/.667 with two homers, six doubles, and a triple while driving in 15 runs and drawing 14 walks against 12 strikeouts in 13 games.

Latest on MMO

Johnluke Chaparro looks at Francisco Álvarez‘s performance against the Giants on Sunday.

Nate Mendelson praises Jeff Brigham‘s strong effort on the recent road trip.

Rivka Boord breaks down who’s hot and who’s not in 3 Up, 3 Down.

Brandon Nimmo and Joey Lucchesi were named MMO’s Players of the Week.

On This Date in Mets History

1986: Ray Knight smacks two homers, and Dwight Gooden tosses a complete-game shutout as the Mets beat the Cardinals 9-0. After starting the year 2-3, the Mets have now won seven games in a row.

2012: David Wright hits a two-run homer off Mark Buehrle in the sixth inning to become the Mets’ franchise leader in RBIs with 735. R.A. Dickey carves up the Marlins, allowing just one run and three hits over seven innings to earn a 5-1 victory.

2015: Matt Harvey finishes one out shy of a complete game, allowing just two runs and five hits with seven strikeouts, and Kevin Plawecki smacks his first big league homer as the Mets beat the Yankees, 8-2. Lucas Duda and Eric Campbell also hit homers and Juan Lagares goes 4-for-4 with an RBI triple.

2022: With the Mets down to their last strike, Mark Canha hits an infield single to drive, and Eduardo Escobar scores on a Nolan Arenado throwing to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 2-1. After a Jeff McNeil double, Dominic Smith ropes a ground ball down the first base line, but Giovanny Gallegos is late covering first base, allowing Smith to reach and both Travis Jankowski and McNeil to score and give the Mets the lead. Brandon Nimmo punctuates the wild rally with a two-run homer off T.J. McFarland, and Edwin Díaz seals a 5-2 victory with a scoreless bottom of the ninth.