Good morning Mets fans! It may have taken two rain delays and over five hours, but the New York Mets (67-60) completed the sweep of the Cleveland Indians (74-54) early Friday morning after the game was called in the bottom of the eighth as the Mets led 2-0. The Mets will now open a three-game series with the first-place Atlanta Braves (77-52) as they continue their nine-game homestand.
Latest Mets News
Jacob deGrom (8-7, 2.61 ERA) takes the mound looking to lead the Mets to five straight victories as he faces Mike Foltynewicz (4-5, 6.09 ERA) and the Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT, with coverage on SNY, WCBS 880 and ESPN Deportes 1050.
The Mets designated Ruben Tejada for assignment and recalled Chris Flexen.
Jed Lowrie returned to rehab action following a day off on Wednesday with the St. Lucie Mets. Lowrie went 1-for-4, with his lone hit being a double.
Jeff McNeil began a rehab assignment in Triple-A Syracuse which was suspended in the top of the second due to rain. McNeil was hit by a pitch in his only plate appearance. He stole a base and scored a run after getting plunked.
Latest MLB News
Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press was denied access to speak to Justin Verlander at the pitcher’s request. Verlander cited “unethical behavior in the past” in a tweet about the situation.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced their 2019 induction class.
MLB is prohibiting players from participating in the Venezuelan Winter League according to Jared Diamond and Kejal Vyas of The Wall Street Journal. This will be in effect as MLB seeks to clarify how to comply with the U.S.-imposed economic embargo that is against the government of Venezuela.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that they have released Francisco Cervelli. The Braves will reportedly sign him according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Latest NL East News
The Braves (77-52) remain atop the NL East standings, followed by the Washington Nationals (70-57; 6.0 games back), Mets (67-60; 9.0 games back) Philadelphia Phillies (66-60; 9.5 games back) and Miami Marlins (45-81; 30.5 games back).
The Nationals defeated the Pirates 7-1 and the Braves walked-off against the Marlins 3-2. The Phillies had an off day on Thursday.
Max Scherzer returned to the mound for the first time since July 25. Although capped at 71 pitches over four innings, Scherzer limited the Pirates to four hits, one walk and one run.
Latest on MMO/MMN
Michael Mayer wrote about J.D. Davis‘ heroics from Wednesday.
Mayer looked at the Mets’ success at home and pointed to how their schedule the rest of the way is favorable due to all the Mets’ remaining home games.
Mayer also wrote about how Jeurys Familia, Luis Avilan and Justin Wilson are helping their team’s playoff push now that they are all healthy.
Tim Ryder wrote about how Joe Panik is easing the Mets’ concerns with McNeil and Robinson Cano currently on the shelf.
John Sheridan wrote a prospect profile on the Mets’ 2019 third-round pick Matthew Allen.
Christopher Soto recapped the games played by all the Mets’ affiliates on Wednesday.
This Day in Mets History
2009: Eric Bruntlett of the Phillies turned the Mets’ attempted double steal into a game-ending unassisted triple-play.
Birthdays: Pat Strange turns 39, Prentice Redman turns 40, Raul Casanova turns 47, Ed Hearn turns 59, and Julio Franco turns 61.
