Your New York Mets are moving on to the NLCS!

Last night, with the chance to get the series clinching win in Game 4, the Mets were finally able to christen the home team locker room of Citi Field with its first champagne bath. In a miracle season, which saw them start 11 games under .500, the Mets will now face the winner of the Padres and Dodgers series for a spot in the 2024 World Series.

While there have been many gimmicks and streaks from both players and outside entities this season, the one constant has been the Mets’ MVP, Francisco Lindor. In this Game 4 battle against the Philadelphia Phillies, Jose Quintana was able to hold the Phillies to only one run in five solid innings of work, however, the Mets’ offense was not holding up their end of the bargain. Having left the bases loaded in the first and second inning, the Mets’ bats were in danger of doing so again in the sixth, but the backbone of the team would not let it happen. Lindor did it again; the star shortstop smoked a 2-1 fastball over the right-center field wall, and the rest is history. 

The Mets will have a very well-deserved three day break as they await the winner ofGame 5 between the Dodgers and Padres on Friday.

Which team do you think would be a better matchup for the Mets? Sound off in the comments!

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

Latin pop star and Mets shortstop Jose Iglesias talked to the Today Show about how the remix of his song “OMG” with Pitbull and Silvestre Dangond came about. The remix will be released on Friday and a music video is planned to come out during the offseason.

Jeff McNeil will play in the Arizona Fall League on Friday and Saturday as Mets manager Carlos Mendoza wants to see him play back-to-back games of nine innings, per Tim Healey of Newsday. Jeff McNeil anticipates being on the NLCS roster, which will be released prior to the series’ start on Sunday, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Daniel Murphy threw the first pitch to Bartolo Colon prior to Game 4 of the NLDS on Wednesday night. 

Latest MLB News

Game 3 of the ALDS went to the Detroit Tigers as they beat the Cleveland Guardians, 3-0. The Tigers, who went with a bullpen game, completely shut down Cleveland’s bats and will have a chance to move on to the ALCS on their home field on Thursday night. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers bludgeoned the Padres last night 8-0 and forced a winner-take-all Game 5 in Los Angeles on Friday. The winner of the series will host the Mets on Sunday to kick off the NLCS.

Giancarlo Stanton’s eight-inning moonshot blast ended up being the game-winning blow for the Yankees, as they beat the Royals 3-2. Kansas City’s season is on the line Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The MLBPA came to a non-exclusive licensing deal with Fanatics, making it the first licensed sportsbook of the MLBPA, per Mike Mazzeo of Sports Business Journal. 

Houston Astros utility man Mauricio Dubón is slated to undergo surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb this week, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Dubón played the last month of the season with this tear; the expected recovery time is 6-8 weeks, so he should be good to go for spring training. 

The roof of Tropicana Field was ripped off on Wednesday night by Hurricane Milton. The stadium was being used as a shelter for first responders. Prayers go out to all who are affected by Hurricane Milton.

Latest on MMO

A Citi Field celebration 15 years in the making!

Lindsanity will not stop!

Jeff McNeil is nearing a return just in time for the NLCS.

On This Date in Mets History

2015: While trying to turn a double play in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Rubén Tejada gets taken out by Chase Utley and breaks his leg. Utley would get a warm welcome from the Citi Field crowd during Game 3 of the series.

1973: The Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds to win the second National League pennant in franchise history.

1961: The New York Mets select Giants catcher Hobie Landrith with their first selection in the 1961 MLB expansion draft. Players such as Gil Hodges, Roger Craig, and Al Jackson were selected during the draft. 

Born On This Date: Jeurys Familia (1989), Fernando Martínez (1988), Elvin Ramírez (1987), Ramón Martínez (1972), Grover Powell (1940).

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Are Headed to the NLCS appeared first on Metsmerized.

And it wasn’t anyone wearing orange and blue.

Rather, it was Austin Adams, who the Mets DFA’d on Feb. 6 and traded to the Oakland A’s for cash on March 24. Adams appeared in seven spring training games for the Mets but didn’t end up cracking the roster. Since then, he’s gone on to have a solid season for Oakland, with a 3.92 ERA in 56 games.

That campaign included the fifth inning against the Mets Tuesday night, when Adams struck out Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez en route to stranding a pair of Joe Boyle‘s inherited runners. In between the two punchouts, he induced a popup from José Iglesias, the multitalented writer and singer of what has essentially become the Mets’ anthem this year in “OMG.”

As soon as Adams got Alvarez to swing and miss at his slider, he paused on the mound. He threw his arms up three times, then barked a slew of profanities as he marched back towards the dugout.

“I pitch on emotion. I need to do a better job of maybe not doing that,” Adams told reporters after the game. “Listen, when you get DFA’d, you’re told you’re not good enough to play for a team anymore, it sucks. So, yeah, a little extra juice today.”

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Adams halted a potential comeback by the Mets, who only scored one run in three games in Seattle before coming back home hoping to reverse the energy. They fell behind 7-1 early on Tuesday, but had gotten it back to 7-4 against Boyle before Adams came in.

“I thought the celebration was pretty funny,” Boyle said. “He was fired up. I know he doesn’t mean anything bad by it. He’s just having a good time playing baseball.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had similarly little issue with it. He said that things ended on good terms with Adams, and that he said hi to him before Tuesday’s game.

But Mets closer Edwin Díaz wasn’t quite as thrilled with it.

“He crossed a line because that’s something we do when we hit a homer or something,” Díaz told The New York Post.

The celebration seemingly left a bitter taste in Díaz’s mouth.

“He [can] always do it, that’s fine. But he can’t get mad if we do something to him the next couple of days,” Díaz added.

Adams insisted that the reaction was spontaneous, and not something that he planned or meant any serious ill will by. He referred to himself as being an “organic” pitcher.

“Honestly, I looked up, and I was so surprised that I got out of it. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ And then it dawned on me: Oh my gosh,” Adams said, referring to the title of Iglesias’ song and the Mets’ celebration. “And then so I did it. I mean, that song is sick. Iglesias is a good dude. So hopefully, no one is offended. Just having fun.”

It seems that Díaz was.

In any case, this whole debacle, plus a losing streak that has reached four games, have rapidly dampened the spirits of a Mets team that was in postseason position very recently. The Mets are now two games behind the Braves for the third Wild Card. They’re certainly not out of it yet. But they’re losing right now, and what’s arguably even worse right now is the vibes surrounding the team, with an opposing player mocking the Mets’ celebration on their home grass.

They still have two more games against the A’s to right the ship. They’ll try to get back to doing their own “OMG” celebrations, and not let anyone on the opposing team steal the spotlight under the bright New York lights over the next couple of days.

The post Díaz Says Adams Crossed a Line With ‘OMG’ Mockery appeared first on Metsmerized.

With a struggling bullpen and an influx of moves on the horizon, the Mets DFA’d both RHP Adrian Houser and RHP Shintaro Fujinami on July 26. While Fujinami cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Houser was released by the club on Wednesday, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Mets also released RHP Ty Adcock. 

Houser, who was acquired along with Tyrone Taylor from the Brewers in the offseason, had his ups and downs throughout his short Mets tenure. The veteran started in the Mets’ rotation, where he struggled severely, having his ERA balloon up to 8.37 at its highest. The Mets then moved him to the bullpen, where he thrived for a short period, but he came back down to Earth recently, and his subpar performance made him expendable. Houser posted a 5.84 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 1-5 record in his 69 1/3 innings and 23 games with the Mets.

At Citi Field on Wednesday, the Mets finished their homestand and series against the Minnesota Twins in disappointing fashion. While a Mark Vientos home run gave the Mets an early 2-1 lead in the second inning, it would all go downhill from there. Luis Severino had one of his worst outings in Queens, only lasting three innings while giving up six runs on six hits, leading to an 8-3 Mets loss. However, the Mets leave Citi Field with the series win and a 4-3 record during their homestand. Click here for a full game recap. 

The Mets are now going on a West Coast trip. Their first stop will be in Anaheim, where they will take on the Los Angeles Angels for three games. They will have Thursday off and be back in action on Friday night when Paul Blackburn will make his Mets debut on the mound. 

Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

Baseball America ranked all 89 prospects dealt at the trade deadline. Here is where the pieces the Mets parted with landed: RHP Tyler Stuart (35), RHP Kade Morris (41), RHP Paul Gervase (75), OF Rhylan Thomas (82) and INF Wilfredo Lara (86).

The Mets optioned newly acquired right-handed relief pitcher Tyler Zuber to Triple-A Syracuse prior to Wednesday’s game. They also optioned LHP Matt Gage to Syracuse and activated former Marlin RHP Huascar Brazobán.

Two new promotions were added to the Mets’ schedule for their mid-August homestand. On Saturday, August 17, against the Marlins, the first 15,000 fans will receive an “OMG” T-shirt, and fans can get an “OMG” foam finger through a special ticket offer for the game on Tuesday, August 20th, against the Orioles.

The Mets’ newest starter, Paul Blackburn, will make his first start for the Amazin’s on Friday against the Angels. Tylor Megill, slated to start that game, has been put in the bullpen. He went two innings while giving up one run on three hits during his first appearance out of the ‘pen on Wednesday against the Twins. Click here to learn about Blackburn.

Reed Garrett looked “really good” in his live session on Wednesday, per Joe Pantorno of amNewYork. Garrett, who hit 97 mph in his live session, will be making a rehab appearance on Saturday for the Syracuse Mets. 

Sean Reid-Foley was on point during his rehab appearance for Double-A Binghamton, getting all three batters he faced to strike out swinging. 

Brandon Nimmo left Wednesday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins after fouling a ball off his foot in the sixth inning. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters after the game that X-rays were negative and Nimmo should be good to go for Friday. Click here for more on Nimmo’s injury.

The Mets signed 18 of their 20 draft picks in the 2024 MLB Draft. The only players the Mets did not sign were ninth-rounder RHP Jaxon Jelkin and 20th-rounder SS Adam Haight.

Latest MLB News

The Houston Astros DFA’d former Mets pitcher Rafael Montero, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The flame-throwing right-hander was in year two of his three-year, $34.5 million deal.

St. Louis Cardinals veteran RHP Lance Lynn was placed on the 15-day IL with right knee inflammation. Lynn has a 4.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 106 1/3 innings of work this season.

Jackson Holliday‘s first career home run was a grand slam, which he rocketed deep into right field, onto Eutaw Street.

JACKSON HOLLIDAY!

His first big league homer is a grand slam! pic.twitter.com/UhYSrT2MiQ

— MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2024

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg fractured his hand after getting hit by a pitch in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game, per Steve Melewski of MASN Sports. The club hopes he can return by the end of the season.

Former Mets catcher James McCann played in Wednesday’s Orioles game with multiple nasal fractures after taking a 95 mph fastball to the face on Monday. McCann sported a new mask to do so.

Latest on MMO

See what MMO writers graded the Mets’ trade deadline.

The Mets activated their newest reliever, Huascar Brazobán.

More on the news of Nimmo fighting off an injury scare.

The Mets signed 18 of their 20 draft picks.

On This Date in Mets History

2015: Lucas Duda drives in all three Mets runs as his two home runs and eighth-inning go-ahead RBI double power the Mets past the Nationals. This win puts the Mets one game back of the Washington Nationals for first place in the NL East. 

2010: 1986 World Series champions Darryl Strawberry, Dwight “Doc” Gooden, Davey Johnson, and Frank Cashen are inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.

1999: Pitcher Pat Mahomes gives the Mets a 13th-inning lead with a two-out base hit and gets the save in the bottom of the frame to beat the Cubs in Wrigley. 

1989: Kevin McReynolds finishes off the fifth cycle in Mets history with his ninth-inning triple.

Birthdays: Brian Bohanon (56), Gregg Jefferies (57)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Release Adrian Houser appeared first on Metsmerized.

The New York Mets completed the season sweep of the Subway Series for the first time since 2013 on Wednesday night.

After taking the first two games in Queens in June against their Bronx rivals, the Mets came into Yankee Stadium on Tuesday with all of the odds against them. Despite not getting to New York until 5 a.m., the Mets squeaked out an improbable win behind a huge ninth inning from Jake Diekman on Tuesday night. However, on Wednesday night, the Mets put the final nail in the Yankees’ coffin and left nothing for chance.

With Gerrit Cole on the mound at Yankee Stadium, the Mets’ bats were going to have to come to play in order to complete the season sweep of the Subway Series. But, the Mets hitters were more than up to the task. Tyrone Taylor started the home run party in the third inning with a solo shot, and the barrage carried on from there. Pete Alonso put the Mets ahead with a two-run bomb, Francisco Lindor followed with two long balls of his own, and Mark Vientos put the finishing touch on the Mets’ 12-run night with a solo shot in the eighth. The Mets held the Yankees to just three runs in a 12-3 slaughtering of the Bronx “Bombers.”

The Mets will look to carry their hot bats back over to Queens as they host the Braves in a pivotal four-game set, which will have great implications on the Wild Card picture. Luis Severino (7-3, 3.58 ERA) will battle Chris Sale (13-3, 2.70 ERA) in Game 1 of the series on Thursday night at 7:10 p.m.

Photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told the media that Christian Scott will not require elbow surgery, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. He’s going to go the rest-and-rehab route and will be shut down for the next two weeks. For more information, click here.

José Iglesias jumped on the mic to talk to the ESPN booth about his hit song “OMG” during the Mets’ win against the Yankees on Wednesday night. 

José Iglesias gets on the mic and talks about the story behind his hit song "OMG" 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/Y7LltxqiV5

— ESPN (@espn) July 24, 2024

The Mets signed their picks from the 14th and 16th round on Wednesday. Fourteenth-rounder Tanner Witt signed for $225,000 ($72,500 goes toward the bonus pool) and 16th-rounder Josh Blum signed for $150,000, per Carlos Collazo of Baseball America.

Amazin’s first round pick Carson Benge also signed with the club. Click here for more details on the contract signing. 

Latest MLB News

After leaving just two innings into his first rehab appearance with a sore knee, Mike Trout was not in the Los Angeles Angels Triple-A affiliate Salt Lake Bees lineup on Wednesday night and will be returning to Southern California to be reevaluated. 

The Dodgers signed and activated INF Nick Ahmed, replacing Miguel Rojas who was rettroactively placed on the IL to July 22 with right forearm tightness, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The Dodgers also activated RHP Tyler Glasnow.

The Milwaukee Brewers placed former MVP OF Christian Yelich on the 10-day IL with low back inflammation. Yelich will see a spine specialist on Thursday to discuss next steps, including the possibility of season-ending back surgery, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

MLB Network announced their direct-to-consumer offer for fans on Wednesday. Fans can purchase MLB Network through a standalone offer of $5.99 per month and through other avenues as well.

Prince Fielder‘s son, Jadyn Fielder, is joining the Brewers organization as an undrafted free agent, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 19-year-old plays second and third base.

Chris Sale, who was supposed to start for the Braves on Wednesday night, will now pitch the first game against the Mets on Thursday, per David O’Brien of The Athletic. Charlie Morton, Spencer Schwellenbach and Reynaldo López, in that order, will start rest of the games against the Mets.

Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, that he will be retiring after the conclusion of the 2024 season. Kiermaier is still playing with the Blue Jays despite the team placing him on waivers and exploring trade options for the 34-year-old Gold Glove center fielder.

MLB will be redirecting money collected from teams that spend over the luxury tax to teams whose TV revenues are hurting, per Evan Drellich of The Athletic. The CBA provision will give teams losing TV money up to $15 million each, with an estimated limit of $75 million in payment league wide. 

Latest on MMO

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki looked into potential Mets trade target A.J. Puk.

Ricky Keeler highlighted Jeff McNeil‘s power surge in the second half.

David Melendi applauded the Mets bullpen brilliance on Tuesday night. 

On This Date in Mets History

2023: The Mets take the second game of a two-game set to split their Subway Series bout with the Yankees. Justin Verlander threw six scoreless innings and Pete Alonso hit two homers in the 9-3 victory.

2015: In his second MLB game, Michael Conforto goes 4-for-4 with a walk, and RBI, and four runs scored in a 15-2 romping of the Dodgers at Citi Field.

2014: Lucas Duda hits a two-run go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning off former Mets closer K-Rod, Francisco Rodríguez. Jenry Mejía went on to throw a scoreless bottom of the ninth to lock down the 3-2 win.

1990: Leading 10-3 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Mets give up six runs before John Franco forces a lineout with the tying run on third base to hold on to a 10-9 win.

Birthdays: Guillermo Mota (51), Billy Wagner (53)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Sweep Subway Series For First Time Since 2013 appeared first on Metsmerized.

It was Iglesias’s first two-home run game of his major league career, and he was ecstatic as he rounded the bases to his own “OMG” song. It was an OMG moment for the Iglesias but also an OMG moment for the Mets.

The win secured the clubs’ 48th win of the season and kept the Mets in the third wild card for the night.  Luis Severino also had his fun, as the righty continued to hand the player the ‘OMG’ sign as a celebration of their home run. He got to hand it over seven times on Friday night, and twice to the offensively on-fire artist the song.

Jul 12, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jose Iglesias (11) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Iglesias is now batting .347/.380/.560 and providing the Mets with a game-changing, shocking thump. While most didn’t expect Iglesias to perform like this at the plate, the veteran had no idea his song was being played while he made his way around the bases. Players told him when he returned to the bench and the second baseman called the gesture by Citi Field a “total surprise.”

“No idea, I got totally surprised when the guys told me when I got to the bench, so it was pretty cool,” Iglesias said with a large grin on his face.

OMG!

THE FIRST MULTI-HOMER GAME OF JOSE IGLESIAS' CAREER! pic.twitter.com/NvoUXXEUwD

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 13, 2024

“It’s about winning. It’s about continuing to win every single day. Competing, communicating, continuing to keep the good energy on the field, and playing hard for 27 outs,” stated Iglesias.

Since coming to the Mets in May, Iglesias has changed the Mets’ energy. The club has won since his call-up and now sit in a third wild card spot. Whether the Mets credit “OMG” or Grimace is unknown, but to the fan, all that matters is the winning that comes with it.

The post Iglesias’s Two Homers Lead Mets Past Rockies appeared first on Metsmerized.

Happy Independence Day to the best nation in the world!

On Wednesday, MLB released the starting lineups for the AL and NL as they prepare for the 2024 All-Star Game, which will be held on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. While no Mets made the starting lineup, plenty of first time All-Stars got the starting nod and familiar faces continue to cement their Midsummer Classic legacies. Here are the starting lineups for each league:

NL: C: William Contreras, MIL, 1B: Bryce Harper, PHI, 2B: Ketel Marte, ARI, SS: Trea Turner, PHI, 3B: Alec Bohm, PHI, OF: Christian Yelich, MIL OF: Jurickson Profar, SDP OF: Fernando Tatis Jr., SDP, DH: Shohei Ohtani, LAD.

AL: C: Adley Rutschman, BAL, 1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., TOR, 2B: José Altuve, HOU, SS: Gunnar Henderson, BAL, 3B: José Ramírez, CLE, OF: Aaron Judge, NYY, OF: Juan Soto, NYY, OF: Steven Kwan, CLE, DH: Yordan Álvarez, HOU.

Along with announcing the starters for the 96th annual All-Star Game, MLB also released the uniforms that will be worn on the field.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday evening, the Mets found themselves on the losing side for the first time in their series against the Nationals this week. After taking two extra-inning games to start the four-game set, the Mets were not able to outscore their bullpen woes, blowing a 5-1 lead and falling by a score of 7-5 to the Nationals. For a full game breakdown, click here.

The Mets will try to leave Washington with a series win as they finish up the series. Jose Quintana (4.57 ERA, 3-5) will face Jake Irvin (3.03 ERA, 6-6) of the Nationals at 11:05 a.m. ET.

Latest Mets News

Kodai Senga looked sharp in his first rehab start for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 35 pitches/25 strikes. To learn more about Senga’s first rehab start, click here.

The Mets called up Christian Scott from Triple-A Syracuse and DFA’d RHP Matt Festa prior to Wednesday’s game. Scott started on Wednesday, going 5.2 IP 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, and 2 SO while leaving the game with a 5-4 lead.

Veteran outfielder Trayce Thompson was released from his contract with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, per Mike Mayer of Metsmerized Online.

Latest MLB News

Minnesota Twins slugger Royce Lewis was placed on the 10-day IL with a right adductor strain.

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired starting pitcher Aaron Civale in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, sending INF prospect Gregory Barrios to Tampa Bay in return.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow to repair an impingement and will be down from throwing for at least six weeks, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. It is still unknown if he will be able to return this season.

The Minnesota Twins called up their top infield prospect, and No. 13 prospect in all of baseball, Brooks Lee, per Declan Goff of SKOR North. Lee started at third base and went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his MLB debut.

Jon Heyman reported on a Bleacher Report livestream that the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers are the “most likely” landing spots for Chicago White Sox star outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

Latest on MMO

Jose Iglesias and the Mets offense have propelled them to key late-inning wins.

Sean Manaea helped lighten the heavily taxed bullpen’s load with his impressive outing on Tuesday.

Kodai Senga shined in his first rehab start.

On This Date in Mets History

2006: The Mets score three runs in the bottom of the 8th to take a 7-6 lead over the Pirates and Billy Wagner locks it down in the 9th, recording his 300th career save. 

1985: In a 19-inning marathon, the Mets outlast the Braves, winning by a score of 16-13 behind a Keith Hernandez cycle.

1972: Tom Seaver comes within two outs of a no-hitter against the Padres, before a base hit by Leron Lee broke up the no-hit bid.

Birthdays: Jared Hughes (39), José Oquendo (61)

The post Morning Briefing: MLB All-Star Game Starters Announced appeared first on Metsmerized.

Just one day after debuting his brand new song “OMG,” Jose Iglesias’ — aka “Candelita’s” — new hit was the No. 1 Latin song on iTunes on Saturday.

The Mets’ offense was still partying from Friday night as the bats were alive again on Saturday, but the Mets’ pitching couldn’t get it done as the Mets dropped Game 2 to the Astros 9-6. After the game, starter Tylor Megill was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported. The corresponding move is yet to be announced.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets and Astros will meet once more on Sunday in the rubber match at Citi Field at 1:40 p.m. ET. It will be Shawn Dubin (1-1, 5.64 ERA) on the mound for the visiting Astros against Luis Severino (5-2, 3.29 ERA) for the Mets.

Latest Mets News

The New York Mets on Saturday announced and debuted the addition of memorial patches honoring the lives of Jerry Grote and Willie Mays to their jerseys.

Latest MLB News

On Saturday, Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals inducted Bo Jackson in to the Royals’ Hall Of Fame.

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, the New York Yankees announced that Juan Soto was scratched from the lineup on Saturday with a right hand bruise that was a result of sliding into home plate during the fourth inning of Friday’s game against the Blue Jays. He was scheduled to undergo further testing in Toronto on Saturday.

MLB Communications released a statement on behalf of Commissioner Manfred regarding the passing of Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda.

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager left Saturday’s game early after being hit in the wrist by a pitch. Per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, X-rays on Seager’s left wrist were negative and he will be reevaluated on Sunday. But early prognosis does not appear to be a fracture.

There was good news regarding Mike Trout‘s injury status as well. Sam Blum of The Athletic reported that he’s “basically pain free” and has a chance to be back some time in July.

Latest on MMO

Matt Mongin recapped the Mets’ minor league affiliate games from Friday, which included home runs from Clifford and Lorusso.

Alexis Farinacci recapped Jeff McNeil’s break-out performance at the plate from Friday night that included a “monumental” home run that helped lead the Mets to victory over the Astros.

Jack Markowski discussed bullpen help remaining the top priority for the Mets leading into the trade deadline.

Evan Mazza recapped the Mets’ 9-6 loss to the Astros.

On This Date in Mets History

1962: Sandy Koufax no-hit the Mets.

Birthdays: Chan Ho Park (51), Tony Fernandez (62), Ron Swoboda (80)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Option Tylor Megill to Syracuse After Loss appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Mic’d up Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña misplayed a routine pop-up in the second inning whilst chatting with the Apple TV+ broadcast booth. McNeil, who entered Friday hitting .170 in June and .213 on the season, was credited with an infield single after the ball bounced in front of Peña and behind third baseman Alex Bregman, who looked like he gave way thinking Peña called for it. A frustrated Peña told the booth it was “bad communication.”

McNeil didn’t stop there. In the sixth inning, he lined a three-run homer over the wall in right to chase Ronel Blanco and help lift the New York Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Astros (40-41) at Citi Field. The Mets (40-39) have now won 12 of their last 14 games and are over .500 for the first time since May 2. In the process, they snapped the Astros’ seven-game winning streak.

The two teams entered Friday not quite as mirror images, but strikingly close.

They both entered with a .500 record, with each team getting there on Wednesday after falling double-digit games below the break-even mark in May. They both picked up the pace in June, New York going 15-6 and Houston 15-7, which represented the best records in their respective leagues this month.

The managers – Carlos Mendoza and Joe Espada – were double-play partners in independent ball during their playing days according to an excellent article in The Athletic. To further keep the similarities rolling, both skippers’ lineups feature sluggers named Alvarez in the middle of the order.

Houston opened the scoring after Jose Altuve homered on the first pitch of the game off Jose Quintana before Francisco Alvarez tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the frame.

In the third, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez slid in safely just ahead of Francisco Alvarez’s tag attempt to give the Astros a 2-1 lead after a Peña single. Tyrone Taylor hit a solo homer to tie it at 2-2 in the fourth.

Quintana labored through four innings, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks while throwing 54 of 93 pitches for strikes, fanned seven hitters along the way.

Pete Alonso hit a 419-foot tie-breaking solo homer in the sixth, No. 17 of the season, to give the Mets a 3-2 lead. A Bregman error on a ground ball later in the sixth with two outs extended the inning and allowed McNeil to deliver his big blow. It was McNeil’s fourth dinger of the season and first at Citi Field.

Espada was later ejected by home plate umpire Jim Wolf for arguing a called strike three to Jake Meyers in the seventh.

Francisco Lindor provided some late-inning insurance on an RBI double in the eighth. Adam Ottavino, Dedniel Núñez, Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett combined for five scoreless innings of relief.

As the cherry on top, Jose Iglesias emerged from the clubhouse and put on a postgame performance of his song “OMG”, which officially released today under the artist name Candelita. The song, which has simultaneously become both the Mets’ home run song and rallying cry, drew the entire team onto the field as they celebrated and supported Iglesias just before the previously scheduled fireworks show began.

The vibes at Citi Field

pic.twitter.com/g1E5Y9m3ub

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) June 29, 2024

Stat of the Game

The Mets have homered in 11 consecutive games. The three home runs off Blanco were the first time the Astros pitcher had given up that many in a game this season.

Player of the Game

McNeil was 3-for-4 with a home run and two singles while scoring twice and driving in three runs.

On Deck

The Mets will look to keep it going with Tylor Megill (2-4, 4.81 ERA) on the mound against lefty Framber Valdez (6-5, 3.68 ERA). The 4:10 p.m. ET game will air on WPIX.

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