Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning, Met fans!
Both American League Division Series (ALDS) began on Thursday night. It started with the opening game of the between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros from Minute Maid Park in Houston.
The Astros took Game 1 of the series by a score of 6-1. Yordan Alvarez hit a fifth inning homer and Michael Brantley ripped a two-run single. They were the big hits for the Stros as Houston starter Lance McCullers threw 6.2 innings giving up just four hits and no earned runs. Game 2 of the series begins at 2:00 ET on Friday. The scheduled starters are Lucas Giolito (11-9 3.53) for the White Sox. He will be opposed by Framber Valdez (11-6 3.14) for Houston.
As for the other ALDS, the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 5-0. Randy Arozarena performed his postseason magic again with a long home run in the fifth inning. Nelson Cruz got the scoring also launched a homer in the third. Shane McClanahan threw five innings of shutout ball to get the victory. Eduardo Rodriguez pitched for the Red Sox and only lasted 1.2 innings, giving up two earned runs.
Game 2 of the series is Friday with veteran Chris Sale (1-2 5.76) on the mound for the Red Sox and rookie Shane Baz (2-0 2.03) pitching for the Rays.
Latest Mets News
Mets acting general manager Zack Scott’s DWI case was adjourned on Thursday with a trial date that is set for December 8. Scott was arrested on August 31 after he was found asleep in his car at a traffic light.
Metrospective, a Mets podcast via The Athletic, features Ted Berg and Tim Britton. This week the duo discusses the Mets decision to let go of manager Luis Rojas as well as the very busy offseason that lies ahead for the Mets.
Former Mets manager Mickey Callaway will return to the dugout, though it is not in the United States. Callaway will be the manager of the Acereros de Monclova ballclub in the Mexican Winter League. Callaway has been on Major League Baseball’s ineligible list since May. He is not eligible to return until after the 2022 season. This was in relation to Callaway being the subject of an investigation into sexual harassment and misconduct of at least five women over a five-year period.
Latest MLB News
The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays released their rosters for their American League Division Series (ALDS). Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez was included on the roster, but did not start Game 1 of the series on Thursday. Martinez is nursing an ankle injury.
The Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox released their roster ahead of their matchup in the ALDS that began on Thursday night.
According to Jake Kaplan of The Athletic, Astros owner Jim Crane acknowledged that the Astros are likely to extend a qualifying offer to 38-year-old starting pitcher Justin Verlander. Verlander missed the entire 2021 season recovering from Tommy John Surgery. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has 226 career victories and an ERA of 3.33. He is set to become a free agent following the 2021 season.
David O’Brien from The Athletic wrote about Braves starter Charlie Morton and his mindset as the Braves begin their National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.
Latest on MMO
October is the start of the postseason and it is also the start of the offseason rumor mill. One source says that Mets outfielder Michael Conforto will not accept a qualifying offer from the Mets, shall he get one. Henry Gold has more.
In addition to a new manager, the Mets will be looking for some new coaches in 2022. Michael Mayer explains the situation and also talks about a coach that may stay on the staff.
Former Met Neil Walker was a fan favorite in his short time in a Met uniform. Walker sat down with our Mathew Brownstein to discuss his life and career including his favorite memories as a Met.
A couple of Mets prospects were selected as Double-A All-Stars. Michael Mayer tells you who.
On This Date in Mets History
The Mets won Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on this date in 1973. Rusty Staub hit two home runs to help give the Mets a 9-2 victory. Staub’s first home run came off of Reds starter Ross Grimsley in the first inning. He hit his second blast in the second inning off of Tom Hall, this one being a three-run blast. The game is famous for a scuffle between the Reds’ Pete Rose and Mets shortstop Buddy Harrelson. Mets starter Jerry Koosman threw a complete game, giving up eight hits and two runs to the powerful Reds lineup. The victory pushed the series 2-1 in favor of the Mets.
Arguably the greatest game pitched in the history of the New York Mets occurred on this date in 2000. Bobby Jones threw a complete game one-hitter in game four of the 2000 National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants. The effort was good enough to get the Mets a 4-0 victory and advance the team to their second consecutive National League Championship Series. It was the first one-hitter thrown in the post-season since the 1967 World Series. The lone Giants hit was a fifth-inning double by Jeff Kent. The Mets scored four runs off of Giants starter Mark Gardner, including a two-run first-inning homer by Robin Ventura.
Let’s go Mets!
