Good morning Mets fans! The New York Mets (67-63) had a day off on Monday ahead of their critical three-game series with the Chicago Cubs (69-61).

Latest Mets News

While every series can be considered critical at this point in the season, this series will have a direct effect on the Mets’ playoff chances. If the Mets sweep they could either sit a game behind the second Wild Card at worst, or sit in the second Wild Card spot and ahead of the next best non-playoff team by a game. However, if they get swept they would fall five games behind the second Wild Card spot.

Marcus Stroman (7-11, 3.18 ERA) will take the mound for his fifth time as a Met. Stroman was on the heels of potentially his best start with the Mets in his last outing before left hamstring tightness limited him to four innings. He will be opposed by Yu Darvish (4-6, 4.43) who is coming off a rough outing in which he allowed seven runs (six earned) in 5 1/3 innings against the San Francisco Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT with coverage on SNY, WCBS 880 and ESPN Deportes 1050.

Brandon Nimmo is expected back with the Mets by the end of the week according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. He will need to play consecutive games in Triple-A Syracuse first, but that could happen Tuesday and Wednesday.

J.D. Davis won MLB Play of the Week honors for his over-the-shoulder basket catch that robbed Greg Allen of an extra base hit on Aug. 22.

Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz volunteered at the kitchen of God’s Love We Deliver on Monday per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Justin Toscano of The Record/NorthJersey.com based an article on Brett Baty around insight he received from some high school coaches whose teams had to face him.

Rustin Dodd of The Athletic wrote a piece on what it is like for a minor leaguer to spend the summer on the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Latest MLB News

Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com combined on a piece that listed and elaborated on 30 potential callups to be excited about for when rosters expand on Sept. 1.

Matt Snyder of CBSSports.com released some updated MLB power rankings.

Trevor Bauer revealed to Fox Sports Ohio that he was unhappy in Cleveland and is much happier to be with the Cincinnati Reds.

In the AL Wild Card race, the Cleveland Indians hold a half game lead in the first Wild Card spot and the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics share a six-game lead over the Boston Red Sox for the second Wild Card.

In the tight NL Wild Card race, the Washington Nationals hold a four-game lead in the first Wild Card spot and the Chicago Cubs hold a one-game lead in the second Wild Card spot. The Philadelphia Phillies (68-62; 1.0 game back), Mets (67-63; 2.0 games back), Milwaukee Brewers (67-64; 2.5 games back), Giants (65-65; 4.0 games back) and Arizona Diamondbacks (65-66; 4.5 games back) are all on the outside looking in.

Latest NL East News

The Atlanta Braves (80-53) remain atop the NL East standings, followed by the Nationals (73-57; 5.5 games back), Phillies (68-62; 10.5 games back), Mets (67-63; 11.5 games back) and Miami Marlins (47-82; 31.0 games back).

The Marlins fell to the Reds 6-3, the Braves fell to the Colorado Rockies 3-1 and the Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5. The Nationals had the day off.

The Braves activated Dansby Swanson from the 10-day injured list, optioned Adam Duvall to Triple-A Gwinnett and moved Austin Riley‘s rehab assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett.

The Braves also released Lucas Duda as reported by MMO‘s own Michael Mayer.

Anthony Rendon was named W.B. Mason NL Player of the Week. Rendon went 14-for-29 (.483) with three doubles, two homers, seven RBIs, six runs scored, five walks and one stolen base.

Latest on MMO/MMN

Samantha Brown broke down Matz’s start from Sunday.

Matt Musico analyzed Michael Conforto‘s career thus far with the Mets and how his production is already cementing his place in franchise history.

John Sheridan continued his “3 Up, 3 Down” series following the Braves’ sweep of the Mets.

Ryan Finkelstein named Wilson Ramos and Matz the MMO Players of the Week.

Brian Devine argued that Todd Frazier should be taken out of the lineup now that Jeff McNeil is back.

Daniel Muras recapped all the games played by the Mets’ minor league affiliates on Sunday.

This Day in Mets History

1974: Benny Ayala hit a home run in his first career at-bat. He became the first player in the National League to do so in 13 years.

2013: On a day in which the Mets were giving out promotional Marlon Byrd t-shirts, the Mets traded Byrd, John Buck and cash to the Pirates for Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later (Vic Black).

Birthdays: Brian McRae turns 52 and Mike Maddux turns 58.