Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

Last night, the Mets defeated the Braves by a score of 7-3, splitting a four-game set. This win increased the team’s MLB-best division lead to four games over Washington, and five over Atlanta. 

The team has Thursday off, an important rest day in preparation for a four-game set at home against the Phillies this weekend. The starters for the Mets align as follows:

Michael Conforto returned to the lineup in fashion, going 2-for-4 with two well-struck hits and a walk. The sweet-swinging lefty’s first-inning double set the tone for some early runs, which were provided by a Kyle Wright wild pitch and a subsequent Dominic Smith RBI fielder’s choice. The offense kept producing in the second inning, when Jeff McNeil (three hits on the night) singled home Luis Guillorme (reached base three times), and Francisco Lindor smashed a two-run homer to left. Lindor added another in the 8th with an RBI base hit, an inning after James McCann did the same.

Tylor Megill (0-0, 4.15) made his first career start and looked solid, throwing four shutout innings before being tagged by Ender Inciarte for a two-run homer, which knocked the rookie out before he had a chance to qualify for his first win. Miguel Castro finished off the fifth inning, and Corey Oswalt worked 2 1/3 innings allowing just one run before Rojas called on Edwin Diaz for the five-out save — the closer obliged, striking out two along the way without allowing a hit.

For even more detail about last night’s game, read the full recap here. 

Let’s get into the briefing.

Latest Mets News

After being removed in the second inning of his start Tuesday night with left hip soreness, All-Star hopeful Marcus Stroman and the Mets received great news on Wednesday afternoon. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, and as confirmed by others, Stro’s MRI came back clean, and showed “no significant issues,” according to Luis Rojas. He is considered day-to-day.

It’s official: Pete Alonso will head to Colorado to defend his Home Run Derby title. Pete won the contest in 2019, defeating Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the final round. Since there was no All-Star weekend in the shortened 2020 campaign, Pete will step into the Coors batters box to defend his 2019 title. 

Brandon Nimmo returned to live action Wednesday night, going 0-for-2 and drawing a walk (and sprinting to first) in his first rehab appearance with the Syracuse Mets. 

In other rehab news, Dellin Betances pitched a scoreless inning for the Syracuse Mets last night, allowing two hits and no walks. His fastball velocity has remained down, topping out at 93– Betances has not hit 95 or higher since returning to action. 

The Mets signed veteran starter Vance Worley to a minor league contract on Wednesday afternoon. Worley has been pitching with the independent Kane County Tigers. The right-hander last played in affiliated ball with the Mets’ Las Vegas 51s in 2018.

Latest MLB News

The Ohtani Sho(hei) was on full display on Wednesday, and when the Angels took on the Giants in San Francisco, it marked the first time ever that an NL team used a DH and an AL team did not. The MVP candidate from Japan allowed just one run over 6 innings (9 K, 2 BB, 6 H), but a late bullpen implosion led to a 9-3 Giants win in 11 innings. 

Cody Bellinger was activated off the injured list before Wednesday’s game, as the Dodgers got their MVP-winning outfielder back into the lineup. 

The Astros also welcomed back a strong bat, as breakout left-hander Kyle Tucker was reinstated from the injured list yesterday. 

Over in Kansas City, the Royals optioned pitcher Jackson Kowar to AAA, in accordance with activating starter Danny Duffy off of the IL.

Cryptocurrency FTX has struck a sponsorship deal with Major League Baseball, and will become the “Official Cryptocurrency Exchange brand of MLB.” FTX will be the first-ever umpire uniform patch partner, and the logo of the cryptocurrency will first be seen on the sleeves of umpires during All-Star Weekend. FTX has been involved in several sports sponsorships, most notably the home of the NBA’s Miami Heat, which is now FTX Arena. 

Latest on MMO

Besides activating Conforto and calling up Megill, the Mets made a flurry of other roster moves ahead of Wednesday’s game. Catch up on all of them here. 

Thomas Hall wrote about Megill’s quick ascension to the big leagues. Get to know the rookie and read about his path to the show here.

You can read more about Alonso’s upcoming attempt to defend his Home Run Derby title, as Ryan Finkelstein covered the looming showdown here.

On This Date in Mets History

2018: In what was a crushing 8-7 loss for the Mets, The Dodgers tie a National League record, most recently accomplished by the 2006 Braves, when LA tees off on seven solo homers. Former New York infielder Justin Turner delivers the decisive dinger in the top of the twelfth inning to complete the series sweep and extend the team’s consecutive win streak over the Amazins to twelve straight victories.

Let’s go Mets!