Good morning Mets fans! The New York Mets won the opener of their four-game series with the Washington Nationals last night by a score of 5-4 in a 12-inning affair. The Mets used a combined seven pitchers from the bullpen to get through the game after Jason Vargas (6-9, 6.25 ERA) left with two outs in the sixth inning.

Latest Mets News

Jacob deGrom (8-9, 1.78 ERA) takes the hill tonight in the nation’s capital as he looks to bring his pitching record to an even .500. He will be opposed by Joe Ross (0-0, 3.60 ERA) of the Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT with the game being broadcast by SNY and 710 WOR.

Craig Edwards of Fangraphs made a case as to why deGrom should win the National League MVP award.

Dave Eiland praised the Mets rotation according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

“That is why Mickey and I were pounding the nail prior to the [trade] deadline not get rid of any of them,” Eiland said. “We can win a championship with this rotation. It takes more than this rotation, but I will take this rotation in a 5 or 7-game series.”

David Newman will be leaving his position with the Mets as vice president of marketing and communications on Oct. 2 after serving in the position for 13 years according to Eric Fisher of SportsBusiness Daily.

Wilmer Flores was shut down for the season after learning that he has early-onset of arthritis in both of his knees.

Mickey Callaway told reporters before Thursday’s game that, “We would definitely target some starting pitching this winter.”

Latest MLB News

Dr. Meredith Wills of The Athletic followed up a prior study of hers on the thicker laces in baseballs with one that analyzed how that change could be behind MLB’s home run surge.

Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post wrote a piece on the history of “Phantom Big-Leaguers;” a term used in reference to baseball players promoted to the MLB level, but who never appeared in a game.

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ sports medicine director Todd Tomczyk told reporters that Chad Kuhl underwent Tommy John surgery.

Austin Maddox of the Boston Red Sox is likely out for the 2019 season after having surgery on his rotator cuff according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.

Jon Heyman of Francred Sports wrote that the next big MLB import from Japan will be Yusei Kikuchi.

Our own Matt Musico wrote an article for The Sports Daily Blog on Chris Davis possibly putting together the worst season of the century.

San Diego Padres Vice President of Scouting, Don Welke, passed away on Wednesday two days before his 76th birthday according to Troy Hirsch of FOX 5 Sports. He spent more than 50 years in baseball.

Luke Voit became the New York Yankees’ 12th player with 10 or more home runs which is a MLB record.

Latest NL East News

Derek Jeter noted that Don Mattingly is likely to return as manager of the Miami Marlins in 2019 per ESPN.

The Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 on Thursday which lowered the Braves’ magic number to four.

In the game, Gabe Kapler faced an important pitching decision in the eighth inning and put Luis Garcia in instead of Hector Neris or Seranthony Dominguez. Garcia ended up giving up four runs and Kapler explained his decision to reporters after the game.

Latest on MMO/MMN

Musico analyzed some advanced stats behind Jeff McNeil‘s impressive start to his big league career.

John Sheridan continued his “3 Up, 3 Down” series after the Mets concluded their three-game set with the Phillies.

Dilip Sridhar put together MMN’s 2018 minor league All-Star team which consisted of the best players at each position chosen across all Mets minor league levels.

This Day in Mets History

1973: The Mets won to even their record to 77-77 and take over first place by half a game for the first time since May 27.

1987: Howard Johnson established a new National League home run record for a switch hitter as he hit his 36th of the season.

1987: In the same game, Darryl Strawberry stole two bases to become a member of the 30-30 club. Strawberry and Johnson became the first teammates in major league history to be in 30-30 club in the same season.

2001: In one of the most memorable moments in Mets history, Mike Piazza hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning to help defeat the Braves 3-2. The home run came in the first game since the September 11 terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Birthdays: Antonio Bastardo turns 33, Joaquin Arias turns 34, Greg Burke turns 36, Scott Rice turns 37 and D.J. Dozier turns 53.