Good morning and happy Independence Day, Mets fans!
The Mets will look to clinch and sweep the Subway Series against the Yankees on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. In Game 1 of the doubleheader, the Amazins’ will give righty Marcus Stroman (6-6, 2.45 ERA) the nod while right-hander Gerrit Cole (8-4, 2.66 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Bronx Bombers.
In Game 2, righty Corey Oswalt (1-0, 1.42 ERA) is expected to take the mound for the Mets as he faces off against southpaw Nestor Cortes (0-0, 1.02 ERA).
Sunday’s first game is set for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch and will be televised on SNY and MLB Network. Game 2 will start at 7:08 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN. Both games will be broadcasted on WCBS 880 and WQBU 92.7.
Let’s get into this morning’s briefing.
Latest Mets News
In response to an article by the New York Daily News describing the Mets’ poor pay of their minor leaguers, owner Steve Cohen tweeted that the club will take action.
“We are looking into this and will have a comprehensive response by late next week,” Cohan said in a tweet. “This was news to me and want to be thoughtful and not reactive in my actions. We need to examine our treatment of coaches too.”
Manager Luis Rojas and the Mets are aiming for pitcher Carlos Carrasco to return in “late July/early August.” The 11-year MLB veteran has been dealing with a torn hamstring he suffered back in March.
Rojas also said that lefty David Peterson will be out for around eight weeks due to an oblique strain. Rojas said that the southpaw could recover quicker than this timeline as the Mets are evaluating his injury week-to-week.
In other injury-related news, the Mets are hoping for righty Noah Syndergaard to return by Sept. 1, per Rojas. Syndergaard was spotted playing catch prior to the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Yanks at Yankee Stadium, according to Justin Toscano of The Record.
As the MLB Draft draws closer, Prospects Live released its fifth mock draft on Friday. The website projects that the Mets will take Vanderbilt ace Kumar Rocker with the 10th overall pick. Rocker pitched to a 14-4 record with a 2.73 ERA, helping the Commodores reach the College World Series finals.
Latest MLB News
According to Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left fielder Kyle Schwarber suffered a significant strain of his hamstring Friday against the Dodgers. Schwarber has been placed on the Nats’ 10-day IL but there is no timetable for his return.
The Cardinals have traded John Nogowski to the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations, per Jeff Jones of MLB.com. As a result, Pittsburgh has designated Geoff Hartlieb for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Latest on MMO
Thomas Hall writes on the hole the Mets have at third base and who New York may target as the trade deadline approaches.
Mojo Hill recaps the Mets’ 8-3 Game 1 win over the Yankees in the Bronx.
On This Date in Mets History
1985: In what was one of the wildest games in club history, the Mets outlasted the Braves 16-13 in a 19-inning affair that saw Keith Hernandez complete the cycle and manager Davey Johnson being ejected. The game eventually ended at 3:55 a.m. in Atlanta with the sound Fourth of July fireworks alarming residents around the ballpark.
2006: Seven-time All-Star Billy Wagner becomes the 20th pitcher in baseball history to reach 300 career saves in a 7-6 win over the Pirates. Wagner went on to reach 422 saves at the end of his career, sixth in major league history.
Birthdays: Jared Hughes (36) and José Oquendo (58).
Let’s go Mets!
