Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning, Mets fans!
The Phillies clinched their first playoff spot since 2011 with a 3-0 win over the Astros. Kyle Schwarber hit two more homers to extend his NL-leading total to 46.
Meanwhile, the Mets were rained out Monday, so they will play a single-admission doubleheader against the Nationals today starting at 4:10 p.m. The Marlins shut out the Braves 4-0 behind Jesús Luzardo, who struck out 12 over six innings. With that, the Mets’ elimination number in the NL East remains at one as they trail Atlanta by 1.5 games. Carlos Carrasco (15-7, 3.95 ERA) and Taijuan Walker (12-5, 3.59 ERA) will start today’s games in some order, and they will face off against Cory Abbott (0-4, 5.11 ERA) and Paolo Espino (0-8, 4.30 ERA).
Latest Mets News
The Mets’ expected first-round matchup will be broadcasted on ESPN this week. Karl Ravech, David Cone, and Eduardo Perez will be on the call.
Eduardo Escobar was named NL Player of the Month for September. Escobar hit a blistering .333/.383/.619 with eight homers and 25 RBIs in 28 games during the month.
Buck Showalter said Starling Marte‘s finger has shown a little progress, but nothing to the point where he could be nearing a return. Marte attempted to take some swings against soft-toss pitching with two hands, but the results weren’t very encouraging.
Latest MLB News
MLB announced that 1.64 million fans attended games this weekend, which was the best-attended weekend in the final month of a season since 2014. In addition, Friday’s average attendance of 35,101 was the highest mark for a September Friday since September 28, 2006.
The Giants placed third baseman Evan Longoria and former Mets southpaw Thomas Szapucki on the 15-day IL. In addition, San Francisco summoned lefty Andrew Vasquez and outfielder Bryce Johnson from Triple-A Sacramento and transferred left-hander Alex Wood to the 60-day IL.
Latest on MMO
Nate Mendelson looks at Escobar’s great month of September.
Nate Mendelson previews the Mets’ final regular-season series against the Nationals.
On This Date in Mets History
1969: In the first ever NLCS game, the Mets defeat the Braves 9-5. Tom Seaver battles through seven innings and the Mets score five unearned runs in the eighth inning against Phil Niekro to put the game away.
1999: Edgardo Alfonzo hits a first-inning two-run homer, and Al Leiter tosses a complete-game two-hit shutout as the Mets defeat the Reds in game 163 at Cinergy Field to advance to the NLDS. Rickey Henderson adds in a homer of his own and Robin Ventura drives in his 120th run of the year.
2006: In the second inning of the first game of the NLDS, Paul Lo Duca tags out both Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew as they attempt to score on Russell Martin‘s long single to right field. Carlos Delgado and Cliff Floyd both homer in the fourth inning, though the Dodgers fight back against the Mets’ bullpen after emergency starter John Maine lasts just 4 1/3 innings. Delgado adds an RBI single and David Wright doubles him in in the seventh inning to put the Mets up 6-4. Billy Wagner bends but doesn’t break to secure a 6-5 victory.
2009: In the last game of the regular season, 35-year-old Nelson Figueroa tosses a complete-game four-hit shutout as the Mets beat the Astros 4-0. Figueroa throws 113 pitches and strikes out seven in the first and only complete game of his career.
2021: The Mets dismiss Luis Rojas from his role as the team’s manager. He compiled a disappointing 103-119 (.464) record in his two seasons at the helm.
Birthdays: Dennis Cook (60)
