Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning, Mets fans!
Last night, the Mets won a thriller against the Braves by a score of 2-1. Rookie Tylor Megill (1-0, 2.04) shined yet again, allowing just one run over 5.1 innings on an Austin Riley solo shot. Megill, the birthday boy, worked around five hits a walk thanks to six timely strikeouts. The Mets bullpen was lights out, too. Jeurys Familia came in with two in scoring position and just one out, and recorded two big outs, Trevor May continued his recent stretch of dominance with another perfect inning of work, and Edwin Diaz was helped out by this excellent Michael Conforto throw en route to earning his 23rd save.
Not much offense was needed, but it was provided by Jeff McNeil and Brandon Drury. McNeil, with the bases loaded in the third inning, lined an RBI single to give the Mets the lead. Drury later came through with another huge pinch-hitting masterclass, taking Atlanta starter Max Fried deep in the seventh. Drury has been on a tear, and is now 6 for his last 6 with 2 homers, 2 doubles, and 3 RBI’s.
Tonight, the final night before the July 30 trade deadline, the Mets will play the fifth and rubber game of a long series against Atlanta. It will be Taijuan Walker (7-4, 3.43) toeing the rubber for New York, and he’ll oppose the Braves’ Drew Smyly (7-3, 4.30).
Now, let’s get into the briefing.
Latest Mets News
The rumors regarding what the Mets may or may not do continue to swirl. The latest? Jon Gray and Trevor Story potentially heading to the Big Apple. Read about that idea here.
Latest MLB News
Joey Gallo (25 HR, 14 DRS, 3.4 WAR) has been all but traded to the New York Yankees. Texas’ left-handed slugger is reportedly on his way to the Bronx, but as of 11 PM Wednesday night, the deal is not yet complete. We’ll know for sure in the morning what prospects are headed from the Yankees to the Rangers.
Jack Leiter, the second pick in this year’s draft, has officially signed with the Texas Rangers. The contract is just over $7.9 million, one of the highest bonuses for a pitcher ever, second only to Gerrit Cole’s $8 million in 2011.
Miami finally traded hot commodity Starling Marte (.305 BA, 140 wRC+, 3.3 fWAR) to Oakland in a 1-for-1 trade. The Marlins received LHP Jesus Luzardo, just 23 years old, who has struggled in the big leagues but has great stuff and is a former top prospect. It’s a large return for a rental, but could end up working out for both sides, as Marte is having a career year, and Luzardo still has ace potential.
The Marlins made a second trade, albeit more minor, sending reliever Yimi Garcia (36.1 IP, 3.47 ERA) to the Astros for minor league outfielder Bryan De La Cruz.
The Brewers made a deal of their own, getting All-Star infielder Eduardo Escobar (2.0 fWAR) from the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league OF Cooper Hummel and INF Alberto Ciprian.
The Reds are acting like buyers. Cincinnati acquired right-handed reliever Mychal Givens from the Rockies in exchange for minor league pitchers Noah Davis and Case Williams. Givens is having a solid year, with a record of 3-2, a 2.73 ERA, and only one run allowed away from Coors Field.
R.J. Anderson wrote about the impact that the Kumar Rocker draft selection had on the rest of the Mets’ draft, and how the Mets could have done better in their draft process.
Latest on MMO
Thomas Hall wrote an opinion piece about what this postseason-tested reliever could do to take a Mets bullpen from great to elite. Find out who it is here.
Nate Mendelson wrote an updated version of who the Mets are currently targeting, and what the team’s strategy might look like as we approach the final hours before the trade deadline.
Beyond the Blog
The Empire State of Mind Podcast is hosted by Zach Grady. Follow Zach on Instagram & Twitter @youZIGimZAG.
On This Date in Mets History
1996: The Mets make one of the worst trades in franchise history, sending Jeff Kent along with Jose Vizcaino to the Indians for Carlos Baerga and Alvaro Espinoza. Kent, of course, went on to win MVP and is on the Hall of Fame ballot, and Baerga and Espinoza were entirely unproductive in New York.
2004: Eric Valent hits for the cycle, becoming the eighth Met to ever do so.
Let’s go Mets!
