You’d probably think the latter squad would have the clear advantage…until I told you that team was the 2026 New York Mets.

Facing a Boston Red Sox team that suffered through multiple travel issues en route from Chicago, causing the start of the game to be delayed by 35 minutes, the Mets looked like the sleep-deprived squad. On the very first play, Juan Soto dropped an easy fly ball, enabling leadoff man Anthony Seigler to reach second base. A walk and a double later, the travel-weary Sox were already ahead 2-0 before the Mets’ first turn at-bat.

Those runs, both unearned, were all that Mets starter Nolan McLean gave up on the night. The righty was solid over six innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out seven, but was once again the victim of little run support.

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

McLean didn’t get any help from the bullpen either. A.J. Minter surrendered a two-run homer to Seigler in the seventh to put Boston up 4-1, and Cionel Pérez gave up a two-run shot to Wilyer Abreu in the ninth to put the game well out of reach.

New York’s offense was mostly asleep at the plate, mustering just two runs on ten hits. They were virtually helpless against Boston starter Sonny Gray, fresh off an All Star snub, managing the one run against him on a Soto sac fly to score Brett Baty.

The Mets appeared to wake up in the eighth, down 4-1, when A.J. Ewing and Soto led off with singles. Ewing was left stranded on third, however, after Francisco Lindor, Carson Benge and Jorge Polanco all flied out. Baty added a solo homer in the ninth.

On the positive side, the Mets’ stud rookies continued to shine. Ewing, batting leadoff, had two more hits. And Benge, hitting cleanup, added a single and a stolen base while also throwing out Connor Wong at home plate.

Mets legend Mookie Wilson, appearing on the Apple TV broadcast, was dreaming of a better Mets future thanks to the youngsters : “I love these young kids. They have an energy… it reminds me, when we came up, that we were changing the culture a little bit.”

PLAYER OF THE GAME

McLean was the tough luck loser but earns the honors by making it through six innings for the fifth-straight start. He’s now 6-6 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 18 starts.

UP NEXT

The Mets and Red Sox resume their three-game series Saturday at 4:10 PM ET. Freddy Peralta (5–7, 4.68 ERA) takes the mound for New York, while Boston has yet to name a starter. SNY has the coverage of the game. 

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The Mets look to end the first half the season on a high note! The Mets have won two games in a row, taking the series from the last-place Kansas City Royals. On Wednesday, the Mets had a five-run eighth inning. Yesterday afternoon, the Mets had a no-stress, straight-forward win. Now, they welcome the fourth-place Red Sox to Queens, who arrived late to Citi Field.

The start of tonight’s game has been pushed back to 7:50 p.m. EST as a result of Boston’s travel issues, per MLB Communications.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

1. A.J. Ewing – CF
2. Juan Soto – LF
3. Francisco Lindor – SS
4. Carson Benge – RF
5. Jorge Polanco – DH
6. Jared Young – 1B
7. Francisco Alvarez – C
8. Brett Baty – 3B
9. Zack Short – 2B

Starting Pitcher: Nolan McLean

McLean has made 18 starts this season totaling 101 1/3 innings with a 3.73 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 1.115 WHIP and a 111 ERA+. In his last two starts, he has allowed three runs (two earned) over 12 innings on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 12. He’s pitched at least six innings in four consecutive starts. He has also hit four batters over his last three starts, bringing him to 12 on the season, which leads the league. This will be McLean’s first start against the Red Sox and no one on the Red Sox has faced McLean in a major league game.

Opposing Lineup

1. Anthony Seigler – 2B
2. Ceddanne Rafaela – CF
3. Wilyer Abreu – RF
4. Romy Gonzalez – 1B
5. Masataka Yoshida – DH
6. Caleb Durbin – 3B
7. Jarren Duran – LF
8. Connor Wong – C
9. Tsung-Che Cheng – SS

Gray is having his best season since 2023. This year, he has made 16 starts totaling 89 2/3 innings with a 2.61 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 1.104 WHIP and a 155 ERA+. He currently leads the league with 10 wins. For context, last season he made 32 starts with a 4.28 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 1.234 WHIP and a 95 ERA+. In his last three starts he has allowed only two runs on 11 hits over 20 1/3 innings while striking out 27 batters.

The Mets have the following career numbers against Gray:

• Francisco Alvarez 0-2, K
• Brett Baty 0-3, BB
• Bo Bichette 3-7, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 8-29, 3 HR, 5 BB, 9 K
• Jorge Polanco 1-7, K
• Juan Soto 6-13, 2B, HR, 4 BB, 3 K
• Tyrone Taylor 3-11, HR, K
• Luis Torrens 0-2
• Mark Vientos 1-2, K

Game Notes

• Clay Holmes threw 40 pitches in live batting practice today as he continues progressing from a fractured right fibula he suffered against the New York Yankees on May 15.
• The Mets recalled Tobias Myers from Triple-A Syracuse and selected Zack Short to the major league roster ahead of Friday’s game. As the corresponding moves, they placed Vientos on the 10-day injured list with a right hand fracture and designated Dan Hammer for assignment.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Juan Soto. If you want to feel good about the Mets, just open up Soto’s Baseball Reference page. He had another big day at the plate yesterday, going 1-for-2 with two walks and a home run. He now has seven walks and three home runs in his last four games. He has a 3.1 bWAR and is leading the league in OBP (.414), SLG (.579), OPS (.993), OPS+ (175) and rOBA (.418). He’s 13th in the league with 54 walks despite missing two weeks.
2. Carson Benge Two-Hit Streak. Benge comes into today’s game with a four-game streak of getting at least two hits per game. He’s also worked at least one walk per game! Overall, in his last four games, he has gone 8-for-13 with a double, a home run, five walks and stole two bases (.615/.722/.923). After weeks of the Mets’ offense flailing, it really has picked up in the last week and Benge is a major reason why!
3. Trade Targets. Unless a miracle occurs, the Mets will probably be selling at the deadline. Taylor continues to rake since returning from the injured list. Yesterday, he went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. He now has three homers in his last five games, good for six on the season. Luke Weaver hasn’t pitched since Monday and has put up All-Star numbers this season with a 1.89 ERA over 38 innings. He’s signed through 2027, so it will take a major package to get the Mets to trade him. Brooks Raley pitched on Wednesday where he allowed one hit but no runs against the Royals. Over 37 games this season, he has a 2.16 ERA.

Let’s go Mets!

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Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

PITCHING MATCHUPS

• Friday: Sonny Gray (10-1, 2.61 ERA) vs. Nolan McLean (6-5, 3.73 ERA): Gray’s name has been discussed quite a bit as the trade deadline approaches. The tricky part about that is that he has a full no-trade clause. After moving from St. Louis to Boston this past offseason, who knows if Gray would even welcome another trade. The veteran has been fantastic since the start of May, going 8-0 with a 2.03 ERA over 66 2/3 innings. Gray has six consecutive quality starts. McLean appears to have gotten back on track. After a bad stretch near the end of May, he has looked like himself. Since May 31, McLean is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA over 40 innings. One area of improvement needs to be his numbers at home. This season, McLean has a 5.03 ERA at Citi Field. In comparison, he owns a 2.55 ERA on the road.
• Saturday: TBD vs. Freddy Peralta (5-7, 4.68 ERA): All-Star Ranger Suárez was set to start Saturday’s game for the Red Sox, but he was placed on the injured list with a groin strain earlier this week. One name that has been discussed to start or pitch in bulk relief is Brayan Bello. He last pitched in the big leagues on June 4 against the Baltimore Orioles, when he gave up a season-worst eight runs in five innings. Bello has made four starts with Triple-A Worcester since being optioned. With where the Mets are at in the standings, Peralta’s time in New York may be coming to an end sooner rather than later. It has been a poor season by his standards. Since May 17, Peralta is 2-4 with a 6.22 ERA over 50 2/3 innings. Through 19 outings, he has just four quality starts. Not good enough.
• Sunday: Payton Tolle (5-6, 3.14 ERA) vs. TBD: Tolle started the year in Triple-A before being recalled in late April. He has been a key piece in the Red Sox’s rotation, giving up three runs or less in 12 of his 14 starts. Tolle is coming off an impressive performance, throwing six shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. He is 3-3 with a 2.87 ERA in six road starts this season. It’s unclear what the Mets will do for Sunday’s game. Kodai Senga would be in line to pitch in bulk relief, though he has a 5.91 ERA since being moved into the bullpen. Unless someone is called up from Triple-A Syracuse, there aren’t many options. The Mets will likely try and piece it together, with the hope that Senga can provide four or five innings.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Ewing has been fantastic in center field. But for the first time in the big leagues, he played at second base for a portion of Thursday’s game against the Royals. Is that versatility something both Ewing and the Mets would be willing to utilize moving forward? With the athleticism he possesses, he certainly looks capable playing middle infield. In the short-term, that could open up more playing time for someone like Luis Robert Jr. when he is ready to return from injury. In the long-term, that may allow the Mets to have more options when constructing their roster for 2027 and beyond. Definitely something to monitor throughout the second half.

PREDICTION

The Red Sox have climbed back into the American League playoff hunt, sitting 2 1/2 games out of the third Wild Card spot. At full strength, they have the pitching staff and the lineup to go on a run. But right now, they are missing a handful of key contributors. I think that gives the slide edge to the Mets, who have played better of late. New York takes two of three to end the first half.

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Position: SP B/T: R/R

Player Data: Age: 31 (07/14/1994)

2025 Traditional Stats: 26 G (26 starts), 145 IP, 3.41 ERA, 1.290 WHIP, 10-4, 121 K, 56 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 120 ERA+, 19.7 K%, 9.1% BB%, 4.99 xERA, 4.17 FIP, 4.59 xFIP, 2.0 fWAR, 2.1 bWAR

Rundown

From 2019 to 2022, Lucas Giolito was a stalwart at the front end of the White Sox’s starting rotation. However, a disastrous finish to the 2023 season saw his stock plummet, leading him to sign a one-year deal with the Red Sox with a player option for 2025. Giolito’s Boston tenure got off on the wrong foot, as he underwent elbow surgery in spring training of 2024, causing him to miss the full season.

Giolito finally made his Red Sox debut at the end of April in 2025 and turned in some solid work, posting a 3.41 ERA over 145 innings. His flyball rate dropped from 29% in 2023 to 27% in 2025, which was encouraging considering he allowed a major league-worst 41 homers in 2023. His opponents’ OPS dropped from .799 to .685, and he was able to complete at least five innings in 17 of his 26 starts. Thanks to reaching 140 innings, Giolito was able to convert his club option into a mutual option, which allowed him to hit the open market at the season’s end.

However, Giolito produced some concerning underlying metrics. His strikeout rate plummeted to 19.7%, a concerning number for a pitcher who struck out at least 200 batters in three of his previous four full seasons. That low strikeout rate was coupled with a 9.1% walk rate, giving him an underwhelming 2.16 strikeout-to-walk ratio, his lowest mark since his dreadful 2018 season. Giolito also surrendered an average exit velocity of 90.1 miles per hour, the highest he’s allowed in a full season. His opponents’ .267 xBA, .342 xwOBA, and .455 xSLG all far exceed their actual marks, and his 4.99 xERA, 4.17 FIP and 4.59 xFIP don’t paint a pretty picture. Giolito’s health concerns came back at the end of the season, too, as he was left off Boston’s Wild Card Series roster with elbow irritation, though he didn’t need surgery.

Part of the reason Giolito was able to succeed with subpar metrics was his ability to limit damage with men on base – he held opponents to a .596 OPS with runners in scoring position, and that number dropped to .417 with two outs. Additionally, his 76.7% strand rate was his highest mark since 2019.

Giolito uses a four-pitch mix – a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and curveball. His four-seamer showed a huge improvement from 2023, going from a negative-10 run value to a plus-5, though it was still hit hard (48.1% hard-hit rate, .507 xSLG) and didn’t generate whiffs at a high rate (16.7%). Giolito’s slider produced the most encouraging results of his pitches, recording a 32.1% whiff rate and holding opponents to a .333 SLG. Giolito’s changeup held opponents to just a .194 batting average, but also surrendered seven home runs, more than any of his pitches.

Contract

Giolito declined his end of a $19 million mutual option for the 2026 season. MLB Trade Rumors predicts he will receive a two-year deal worth $32 million.

Recommendation: Worth Checking In

The Mets still need to shore up their starting rotation, but they haven’t shown they are willing to give a long-term contract to any arm on the market. Giolito is no longer an ace and won’t command a big contract in terms of length or salary, but he comes with concerns surrounding his health and his underlying data. Giolito is more established than the arms David Stearns brought in ahead of 2025 (Frankie Montas, Griffin Canning and Clay Holmes), but teams should proceed with caution in negotiations. It couldn’t hurt to try to sign Giolito, but he shouldn’t be at the top of the Mets’ board.

The post Free Agent Profile: Lucas Giolito, SP appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Criswell debuted with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and has spent time with both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Red Sox. He has a career 4.48 ERA and 1.44 WHIP as a big-leaguer while serving as both a starting pitcher and a high leverage reliever. In the majors last year, he threw 17 2/3 innings to a 3.57 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. In 65 2/3 innings in Triple-A, he pitched to a 3.70 ERA and 1.34 WHIP.

Criswell joins Robert Stock and Nick Burdi as former Red Sox pitchers acquired by the Mets so far this offseason. All three previously worked with new Mets pitching coach Justin Willard in Boston.

Criswell throws a changeup, a sinker, a cutter and a sweeper. His sweeper is arguably his best pitch with 2,562 RPM of spin and -17.8 inches of horizontal break. In Triple-A this year, that pitch generated a 42.6% whiff rate. His sinker averages 89.4 MPH, but he has jumped it up to 91.7 MPH out of the bullpen. In the majors, he generated a 33.3% chase rate across his pitches, led by his changeup at 44.2%.

Tim Healey of the Boston Globe reported that, “The Red Sox gave Cooper Criswell a larger-than-normal guaranteed 2026 salary in the hopes that it would help sneak him through waivers.” He is guaranteed to make $800k next season.

It is expected that Criswell will fit into a long relief/swingman-type role for the Mets, though he does have experience pitching in high-leverage situations as needed.

The post Mets Claim Cooper Criswell Off Waivers from Red Sox appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals traded right-hander Sonny Gray to the Red Sox for pitching prospect Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts, as first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. ESPN’s Jeff Passan later added that St. Louis will kick in $20 million in the deal. Gray’s contract will also be slightly modified, likely as a reward for waiving his full no-trade clause.

The 36-year-old Gray currently slots in as Boston’s No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet. He brings 13 years of big-league experience, including three seasons with Cy Young votes — the most recent coming in 2023.

Heading to St. Louis are two young arms in Clarke and Fitts. Clarke, a 22-year-old lefty, is an intriguing prospect who’s touched 100 mph and pairs it with a plus-plus slider. The 2024 fifth-round pick reached High-A in 2025. Fitts, on the other hand, has already gotten a taste of the majors and looked solid in the first few months of the season. The hard-throwing righty made 11 big-league starts and finished with a 5.00 ERA, but at 25, he still has room to grow.

MMO’s Robert Colonna has more.

David Richard-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

Hayden Senger had a big night for the Tigres del Licey, hitting a homer earlier in the game and producing the game-winning hit off former Mets closer Jeurys Familia. We’re slowly getting deep into the offseason now, folks.

Marcus Semien had his first press conference as a member of the Mets. Read about it here.

The Mets are seeking an Applied Biomechanics Engineer to develop and apply biomechanics tools for their major league team, collaborating across pitching, hitting, and performance departments. Candidates should have experience in motion capture, wearable sensors, and programming. Visit this link with any interest.

The Mets are in agreement with four players on minor league contracts: RHP Nick Burdi, LHP Anderson Severino, RHP Robert Stock, and OF Jose Ramos. Stock’s signing is the most notable, as he returns to the organization after a stint with the team way back in 2021. Following time abroad and some mechanical adjustments, he made it back to the majors in 2025 after missing the 2022-24 seasons. More here, via MMO’s Robert Colonna.

The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is hosting its annual Coat Drive at Citi Field on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 10 AM to 6 PM. Donors who bring a winter coat will receive a voucher for two tickets to select 2026 home games.

Latest MLB News

Despite a rough two-month stint with the Mets in 2025, Ryan Helsley remains confident in his abilities, blaming pitch tipping and predictability as the causes of his struggles. The two-time All-Star closer, who led the majors with 49 saves in 2024, has drawn interest from roughly 15 teams, including the Detroit Tigers, and is considering both relief and starting roles. Additionally, he has tinkered with the idea of possibly adding a new pitch in order to return to peak form and try to capitalize from a weaker free agent class. Katie Woo of The Athletic has a more in-depth look at Helsley’s market.

Yoo Jee-ho of the Yonhap Sports Agency reports that the Samsung Lions have re-signed first baseman Lewin Díaz (one year, $1.5 million) and former Met Ariel Jurado (one year, $1.6 million) for 2026, with both eligible for additional incentives. Díaz dominated the KBO in 2025 with record-setting power, while Jurado has pitched well over his first three seasons in the KBO. Both were long-shot candidates for MLB returns this offseason.

Corner infielder Jonah Bride has agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, including an invitation to major league camp, according to Jeff Passan’s ESPN. The 29-year-old reunites with new Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, under whom he had his best MLB season in 2024 with Miami.

Latest on MMO

Gabe Herz analyzes some of the routes the Mets could decide to take following the Nimmo-Semien trade.

Robert Colonna profiles right-hander Tatsuya Imai as a potential Mets free agent target.

In the latest MMO crossfire, Allison Waxman argues that the Mets should sign Kyle Tucker, while Mojo Hill makes the case for Cody Bellinger.

On This Date in Mets History

1967: The Mets acquire Gil Hodges from the Washington Senators in exchange for Bill Denehy and $100,000.

Born on This Date: Richie Hebner (1947), Brian Schneider (1976), Josh Smoker (1988).

The post Morning Briefing: Veteran Starter Gray Off the Market appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Unfortunately for most the readers involved, the penultimate day of the season will be filled with anxiety and potentially disappointment.

The Mets, who had the best record in baseball in mid-June, and the second wild card spot in August, are on the verge of completing their collapse. They are “tied” with the Reds entering Saturday’s affair with the Marlins, but need to finish one game better than the Reds to make the playoffs.

Detroit, however, is going through an even worse collapse. Perhaps the biggest in baseball history. On September 10, the Tigers held a 9.5-game lead over the Guardians for the division lead and looked bound for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Now, on September 27, they’re deadlocked with the Guardians at 86-74, and would be the third wild card if the season ended today.

That leaves the Astros as the team looking up in the American League playoff race. They’re one game behind the Tigers for the third wild card, and would need to win the last two games of the season and see one of the Tigers or Guardians lose the remaining two to secure a playoff spot.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

1. Phillies

Losing Zack Wheeler for the season hasn’t slowed down the Phillies.

They’ve gone 16-7 in September, inserted Aaron Nola back into the rotation, and have pulled two within one game for the best record in the majors.

Nola shoved in Friday’s start against the Twins, punching out nine batters across eight innings of one-run ball. If they win the last two games and the Brewers are swept by the Reds, then they’d get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

2. Yankees

The AL East might actually be within grasp for the Bombers.

They’ve won six consecutive games, backed by Aaron Judge‘s latest heater. He’s hit four homers in his seven games, and bolstered his case for MVP. And yes, he should win the MVP. Every number in Judge’s .330/.458/.687 slash line leads the league, including his 124 walks and 9.5 bWAR. He’s also clubbed 52 homers, driven in 111 RBIs, scored 135 runs and recorded 366 total bases (both second in MLB), despite missing 10 games. Yeah, I don’t really care that Cal Raleigh catches.

With Judge, along with Giancarlo Stanton, leading the way, the Yankees easily have a path to the division crown. Beat up on the Orioles two more times, and hope the Rays can win one of the final two games against the Blue Jays.

3. Brewers

The Brew Crew is about to get a big arm back heading into the postseason.

Trevor Megill is expected to come off the 15-day IL Sunday after hitting the shelf with a right flexor strain. Him, paired in the backend of the ‘pen with Abner Uribe, would lock down the scariest duo in the bullpen heading into October.

Till then, the Brewers are in a position where they would like to win a game this weekend over the Reds. Just one would give them home-field advantage throughout October and lock down the best record in baseball. They could achieve that with a loss by the Phillies, but they’re playing the Twins and that’s a big ask.

Jackson Chourio also made history in Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Reds. With his 20th stolen base, he is now the youngest player in major league history with multiple 20-20 seasons. The youngest before him was Mike Trout.

4. Dodgers

The Dodgers finally popped champagne last week.

Thursday’s win over the Diamondbacks secured the club’s fourth straight National League West title, their 12th in the last 13 seasons.

It’s been an incredible run for the defending champs, who seemingly haven’t even hit their full potential. They recently added Max Muncy, Roki Sasaki, and Blake Snell off the IL, adding to a team that struggled to a 91-win season as of Saturday morning.

Plus, with Mookie Betts back in form, this team could easily run the table for one final month of the season. They’ll start October with either the struggling Mets or average Reds, then get a crack against a strong Phillies team for five in the NLDS if they advance.

5. Blue Jays

Nathan Lukes played hero Friday night for the Jays.

Tied at two against a Rays team that has the Jays’ number this season, Lukes clubbed a two-run homer in the fifth to stave off Tampa. The win kept the Jays tied with the Yanks at 92-68 and atop the AL East.

Because they have the tiebreaker, all the Jays have to do to win their first AL East crown since 2015 is finish with the same record as the Yankees. They’ll have two more games against the Rays, including one Saturday where they’ll throw rookie Trey Yesavage. As of now, they have home-field advantage through the playoffs, but would lose it if the Yankees win the division or the Mariners (tiebreaker) finish with the same record.

6. Mariners

Seattle has been the best team in baseball the last calendar month. They’re 17-6 in September, but have gone 17-3 in their last 20 games. At one point in September, the Mariners and Astros were only separated by a game, but the M’s rode the elevator up and left the Astros in the lobby.

Cal Raleigh continues to club homers at a ridiculous pace, and became the first catcher to ever hit 60 homers in a season last week. He doubled last night in a 3-2 loss to the Dodgers, and has two more games to try and pass Aaron Judge (63) for the most homers ever hit in an AL season.

With their ridiculous pace of winning, the Mariners also bypassed the wild card round. They could take home-field advantage for the AL side of the playoffs, but they’d need to win two games against the Dodgers, and the Rays and Yankees would have to lose out.

7. Cubs

The Cubs got a massive win over the Cardinals.

Pete Crow-Armstrong homered to reach the 30-30 club in his age 23 season, helping the Cubs reach the 90-win mark to pull two games ahead of the Padres for home-field advantage in the wild card series. Crow-Armstrong also became the sixth player this season to record a 30-30 season, marking a new MLB record.

Friday also saw the return of Kyle Tucker to the lineup. The lefty went 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. Getting a healthy Tucker back would be massive for the Cubs’ playoff push, along with Cade Horton, who hurt his back in his start against the Mets Tuesday.

8. Red Sox

Boston has climbed their way back into the top-10 for the final list of the season.

Despite trading away Rafael Devers, losing Alex Bregman for time in the middle of the season, and now Roman Anthony for a month, the Sox have clinched a playoff spot.

It came Friday with a wild win over the Tigers. Tied 3-3 in the ninth, Aroldis Chapman stranded a runner on third with only one out, and then Ceddanne Rafaela drove a ball off the wall in center to score Romy Gonzalez to win the game.

It was the 12th walk-off hit for the Red Sox this season, which is the most in the majors. They’ll go on the road for a wild-card series, but no one wants to face Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello in a three-game series.

9. Padres

The Padres’ 7-4 win Friday kept them alive in the race for the top wild card spot.

Now two games behind the Cubs, the Padres could secure home-field advantage by completing a sweep over the Snakes, along with a two-game winning streak by the Cardinals to end the season.

Friday was also positive because it saw a good start from Yu Darvish. The veteran went five innings while allowing only two runs against a desperate D-backs team. A strong Darvish would be a positive for a Friars team that has struggled to find good, consistent rotation options.

10. Astros

Friday was an absolute blow to the Astros’ playoff hopes.

Tied 3-3 in the eighth, Mike Trout launched a go-ahead solo homer to take the lead for the Angels, eventually handing them a 4-3 loss. Now one game out of a playoff spot, the Astros are going to score board watch.

Luckily, the free-falling Tigers are only one game ahead of them, and face a tough Red Sox team in Boston. The Guardians also lost Friday 7-3 to the Rangers, leaving a second potential team to fall out of a spot for the Astros.

Houston will send AJ Blubaugh to the mound Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive. If they lose today, the Astros will be eliminated from the playoffs, as they don’t hold the tiebreaker over the Tigers or Guardians. Luckily for Houston, they face a weaker Angels team

Rest of the field

11. Guardians
12. Tigers
13. Reds
14. Mets
15. Diamondbacks
16. Rangers
17. Royals
18. Giants
19. Rays
20. Braves
21. Marlins
22. Athletics
23. Cardinals
24. Orioles
25. Pirates
26. Angels
27. Nationals
28. Twins
29. White Sox
30. Rockies

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By the time next week’s power rankings drop, the final month of baseball will be here, and the long race of baseball will become a sprint.

With the final month will come division’s finally be set in stone. The American League East, AL West, National League East, and NL West are still up for grabs, with the largest lead in the four mentioned divisions being the Phillies at five games over the Mets.

Other divisions are on the precipice of wrapping up. One division to keep an eye on is the NL Central, where the Brewers lead over the Cubs is six and half games. Those two teams don’t match up the rest of the season, but the Cubs’ offense could carry them and make the division interesting.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

1. Dodgers

Hey, Mets fans. We should all be thanking the Dodgers right now.

After dropping a series on the road to the Padres, the Dodgers hosted the Reds for three games, where they promptly swept them without breaking a sweat. The series created breathing room in the division, while also impacting the wild-card race.

We highlighted him last week, and we’ll do it again. Mookie Betts is officially back. He clubbed another homer last week, and is OPS’ing closer to .800 over the last month. If the Dodgers get an All-Star caliber Betts back to their lineup, then they should be regarded as the same powerhouse they were in 2024.

2. Brewers

After a generational start to their second half, the Brewers are starting to stall. They’re 4-7 in their last 11 games, and the door has creaked open for a division title. Last week they lost a series to the Giants, split at home with the Diamondbacks, and now their lead for the division is at 6.5 games.

Fortunately for the Brewers, they have no more matchups with the Cubs. Plus the club got Jackson Chourio back off the IL Saturday. That should help offset the loss of Trevor Megill suffered earlier in the week.

3. Phillies

Last week wasn’t ideal for Philadelphia.

They went into Citi Field with a seven-game lead over the Mets, and left only up four. For those who struggle with math, that means they were swept.

Still, the Phillies reminded everyone of who they were with a Friday night whalloping of the Braves at the bank. Kyle Schwarber continued his bid for the NL MVP with four homers in the game, becoming the third player this season (Eugenio Suárez and Nick Kurtz) to achieve the feat. Philadelphia’s offense is scary, and one series against the Mets shouldn’t dissuade anyone from that idea.

4. Padres

San Diego might not have taken the season series against the Dodgers, but in crunch time, they won down the stretch. They took two of three against the Dodgers last week at home to stay within striking distance, and trail by only two games heading into Saturday.

That deficit could have been only one game, but Friday saw a 7-4 loss to the Twins on the road. That’s a bad loss for a team contending for the division. Still, the schedule is in San Diego’s favor, as they face Minnesota for two more, host the Orioles at home for three, and then go to Colorado for three. The only tough series left for the Friars are against the Reds at home and the Mets on the road. And despite them being tough, the Padres are 3-0 against the Mets and 1-2 against the Reds.

5. Yankees

The Bombers are getting hot at the right time.

They’ve won six games in a row, pulled ahead of the Red Sox in the division, and have pulled to within three of the Blue Jays. Sure, it’s helped that they’ve played the Nationals and White Sox back to back, but they’ve won the “gimme” games that we see many teams drop.

Trent Grisham has been one of the many contributors to this team’s success, and he’s worth mentioning. He’s batting .248 with 28 homers and an .836 OPS. The lefty clubbed a grand slam Friday, helping the Yanks secure a 10-2 win over the White Sox. The Bombers will be tested next week against Houston, then go home for a decisive three-game set against the Blue Jays.

6. Tigers

The Tigers had a rough series last week against the Athletics. There’s no way around it.

They were swept out of Sacramento, with only Game 2 being competitive despite the 7-6 loss. Tarik Skubal pitched 6 2/3 innings in Game 1, but allowed seven hits and six runs (one earned). Friday was a nice bounce-back win over the recently hot Royals, but the Tigers are on my list of skeptical postseason teams. Skubal is obviously a buzzsaw, but the lineup and rest of the rotation could be suspect against teams like the Astros, Mariners, Red Sox, and Yankees in the playoffs.

7. Astros

Welcome back, Yordan Alvarez.

The big lefty missed the majority of the season, but came back last week and homered Wednesday at home against the Rockies. Now 73-60, the Astros have a slim two-game lead over the Mariners, but have a lot of their big guns back. Carlos Correa. Jeremy Peña. And now Alvarez.

Losing Josh Hader was a rough blow, but starting a playoff series against Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez will be tough for any opposing team. Plus Bryan Abreu has sparkled with a 1.47 ERA this season and is another weapon to lock down the ninth. The division isn’t locked down, as the Astros host the Mariners in the second-to-last series of the season, but they’re in a good spot.

8. Red Sox

What an exceptional week for Boston. They took three of four from the Yankees in the Bronx, then went south to Baltimore to sweep the Birds in a four-game series. They’re 7-2 in their last nine games, and only three and a half back of the Blue Jays.

Rookies have led the way for the Red Sox, and they debuted another weapon Friday against the Pirates. Lefty Payton Tolle got the start, striking out eight batters while allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings of work. He throws hard, looks legit, and is a scary option to pair with Garrett Crochet from the left side.

The Sox could easily win the division, and the schedule is in their favor. They host the Pirates for two more at Fenway, welcome the Guardians for three afterwards, then go out west to face the Diamondbacks and Athletics. If they’re able to dominate those weaker teams, it’ll set them up for the end of September, where they face the Yankees and Blue Jays for a total of six games.

9. Blue Jays

The Blue Jays aren’t necessarily struggling or doing anything wrong. They continue to win at a decent pace.

They still hold first place in the AL East. Guys like George Springer (.930 OPS, 24 homers), Bo Bichette (AL leading 171 hits), and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.869 OPS, 24 homers) continue to carry the team. The only issue is the teams behind them are winning at lightning fast paces, putting pressure on Toronto to win night in and night out.

Whether they do or not is up for debate. The rotation is old, and Kevin Gausman has struggled in his last five starts (14 ER in 31 innings). September will sort things out, as it always does, when the Jays face the Yankees and Red Sox in the final weeks of the season.

10. Cubs

The Cubs continue to trade wins and losses in the second half. After sweeping the Angels in Los Angeles, the Cubs went to San Francisco and lost three straight against the Giants. They bounced back Friday with an 11-7 over the Rockies, but their 20-19 record in the second half hasn’t allowed them to chase down the Brewers, who really slowed down after their scorching hot start out of the All-Star break.

Pete Crow-Armstrong has really hit a wall, hindering the team’s offense. Once on a 40-40 pace this season, Crow-Armstrong hasn’t reached 30 homers this season and his OPS has dropped below .800. The Cubs will need guys like him and Kyle Tucker to bounce back to have a chance for the division, or even the playoffs in a tough NL field.

Rest of the field

11. Mets
12. Mariners
13. Reds
14. Guardians
15. Royals
16. Rangers
17. Giants
18. Rays
19. Diamondbacks
20. Cardinals
21. Orioles
22. Athletics
23. Marlins
24. Braves
25. Pirates
26. Angels
27. Twins
28. Nationals
29. White Sox
30. Rockies

The post MLB Power Rankings: Week 22 Update appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets went to Atlanta and got a massive 12-7 win to stave off the Reds in the National League wild card chase, the Red Sox stole a win 1-0 in the Bronx against the Yankees to solidify second place in the American League East, and the Padres finally defeated the Dodgers 2-1 to pull into a tie for first place in the NL West. Plus, the Nationals upset the Phillies 5-4 against Jhoan Duran in the ninth to play spoiler in an NL East race that sees the Mets holding on to by their pinkie.

It was an exciting day. And the last week smoothed out some edges in all the division races around the league. Buckle up everybody, we’re almost into September.

John Jones-Imagn Images

1. Brewers

Milwaukee wasn’t a team caught in a division game Friday. But there were fireworks.

Facing the spiraling Giants, William Contreras launched a walk-off shot with two outs in the ninth to secure the 81st win of the season for the Brewers. It was a nice bounce back after Shelby Miller and Aaron Ashby blew their 4-2 lead over the seventh and eighth inning, and marked their second win in a row after they went just 2-3 against the Cubs the last week.

The Brewers are now 25-8 in the second half and are the only team with 80 wins or more. They continue to look like the best team in baseball, and will play a key role in the AL and NL East divisional races, as they face the Blue Jays and Phillies from August 29 to September 4.

2. Dodgers

The Dodgers snapped out of their funk last week with a massive series against the Padres.

In LA, the Dodgers took three of four from their division rivals, providing extra space in the division heading into Monday. Mookie Betts has helped with his recent resurgence, as the former MVP has hit .344 and slugged .475 in his last 15 games. Clayton Kershaw has also been an added bonus to the rotation, pitching the Dodgers to four wins in his last four starts, going at least 5 2/3 innings in each outing.

The only issue? The Dodgers split a series in Colorado against the Rockies, and there’s been some drama with Teoscar Hernández‘s defense in right field. It hasn’t been good, and cost the Dodgers a win. Betts reportedly went to Dave Roberts to talk about the defensive alignment, but a change is uncertain. Now, after Friday’s 2-1 loss in San Diego, the Dodgers and Padres are knotted up atop the NL West. We’ll see how the other two games go, as the Dodgers are 8-3 against the Padres.

3. Phillies

Philadelphia got horrid news last week. Zack Wheeler had a blood clot in his shoulder, requiring surgery to remove with no timetable for return. Usually losing an ace is detrimental to a team with World Series aspirations, but fortunately for the Phillies, they’ve got about two more.

Cristopher Sánchez has been absolutely brilliant this season, pitching to a 2.46 ERA with 169 strikeouts in 25 starts. He’s third in the NL in ERA, and had a stellar outing Tuesday against the Mariners (6 1/3 IP, 12 SO, 2 BB, 2 ER).

Pair that with Jesús Luzardo (2.32 in last five starts) and Ranger Suarez, plus the return of Aaron Nola, and Philadelphia can survive the loss of Wheeler. It also helps that the offense is getting a vintage J.T. Realmuto, who’s slashing .311/.360/.515 with five homers (only five homers in first half) in the second half.

4. Padres

The Friars squeaked by with a 2-1 win over the Dodgers Friday. It tied them for first in the NL West, but a series against the Dodgers earlier in the week prevented them from asserting themselves.

They went 1-3 in LA against the Dodgers in the beginning of the week, preventing them from taking control in the division. Actually, their entire 2025 season against the Dodgers has prevented them from being a top team in the NL. Both teams are 73-56, yet the Padres are 3-8 against their rivals.

If they played .500 ball, or for the argument one game under, the Padres would hold a two-game lead over the Dodgers. But hindsight is always 20/20, and the Padres are doing just fine.

The bullpen is still elite. Yu Darvish turned back the clock to 2013 Friday in their 2-1 win. The only thing missing from the Padres game is the long ball. Especially from Fernando Tatis Jr. He’s gone 120 plate appearances without a homer (July 24).

5. Tigers

Detroit went back to their winning ways last week.

They swept the Astros at home, took three of four against the Twins, and before that won a series against the White Sox. The real series to dissect was the Astros series, where Detroit pitching held Houston to two runs over three games.

Jack Flaherty was dominant in the series opener, striking out nine over seven scoreless innings. And then Tarik Skubal continued his brilliance with 10 punchouts over seven scoreless the next day, which saw the Tigers win 1-0 in extras.

6. Cubs

The Cubs are just 17-16 in the second half, and a lot can be attributed to the offense regressing.

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker are the biggest proponents of the offense stalling. PCA is slashing .224/.280/.411 with just five walks in his last 30 games, and Tucker just .232/.348/.373 since his newly disclosed hand injury suffered on June 1 against the Reds.

Still, a 3-2 record against the Brewers last week helped the Cubs climb to seven back in the division and to the first NL wild card spot. With no games left against the Brewers, the Cubs might be finished in the NL Central, but there’s a lot of baseball left. And the postseason seems likely barring a major collapse.

7. Blue Jays

There’s been no team as consistent as the Blue Jays all season.

Outside their 11-4 month, the Jays have gone above .500 every month of the season. August is no different, as they’re 11-8, and picked up two series wins last week over the Cubs and Rangers.

The real difference maker continues to be George Springer. He’s thrived in the DH spot, posting a .965 OPS with 17 homers in 57 games. It’s been a stark difference from his 33 games in RF this season, where he posted a .788 OPS with only three homers. Anthony Santander could return this season, but it may be best to leave the 35-year-old Springer as the DH.

8. Yankees

The Yanks have gotten some serious juice from the return of Giancarlo Stanton.

The former MVP has produced video game numbers, slugging .943 over his last 15 games, and .747 over his last 30 with 12 homers. He, along with Aaron Judge (who is the 2025 AL MVP, I don’t want to hear Big Dumper) and Cody Bellinger (.270/.323/.492 with 24 homers), have finally formed a dangerous trio atop the Yankee lineup.

The offense was still number one in most offensive categories before Staton’s return from injury, but now it is at the level of World Series contender. The only issue has been the bullpen blowing leads. Jake Bird was optioned to Triple-A, Camilo Doval has a 7.36 ERA, and David Bednar has blown multiple leads in the ninth.

9. Red Sox

Boston this low on the list every week feels criminal.

They’re 70-59, in second place in the AL East, and have a series with the Blue Jays in September to possibly take the division, which they currently trail by only five games.

They took the first two games against the Yankees in the Bronx Thursday and Friday, and have the potential to win the series with Garrett Crochet on the mound Saturday. Roman Anthony was a big culprit in Friday’s win, providing insurance in the ninth with a two-run homer. The kid has 17 doubles in only 60 games, and could turn those two baggers into four with some more time in the majors.

10. Astros

Houston really struggled last week, dropping a series to the Orioles at home, followed by a road sweep in Detroit, where they scored only two runs.

So why are they No. 10 0n the list? Well, for one, they’re still in first place in the AL West. And secondly, they bounced back Thursday and Friday with wins over the Orioles in Baltimore.

The offense also won’t be a problem for too long. We’ve said it all year, but Yordan Alvarez is on his way back. The DH picked up three hits in his second rehab start, and looks to add even more juice to a team that added Jesús Sánchez and Carlos Correa at the deadline.

Rest of the Field

11. Mariners
12. Mets
13. Reds
14. Guardians
15. Royals
16. Cardinals
17. Diamondbacks
18. Rangers
19. Giants
20. Rays
21. Orioles
22. Marlins
23. Braves
24. Angels
25. Pirates
26. Twins
27. Nationals
28. Athletics
29. White Sox
30. Rockies

The post MLB Power Rankings: Week 21 Update appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets continue to free-fall in the third spot, opening space for the Reds, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and Giants to attempt a push for the final spot. The true threat are the Reds, who at 64-59 are only half a game back, and the Giants (59-63), who have the pitching and talent to pull off a strong month and a half.

The Cubs are also struggling and are 3-7 in their last 10 games. Their spot in the second wild card is more comfortable, and with a four-and-a-half lead over the third spot, the Cubbies should be able to correct their course.

In the American League, the final wild-card spot looks like a three-team race between the Red Sox, Yankees, and Guardians. Cleveland has truly impressed after looking dead in the water, and an 11-4 stretch in their last 15 games has pulled them to one and a half games behind New York (AL) for the third spot.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

1. Brewers

Apparently I called Milwaukee a state in my last update. I do in fact know the city of Milwaukee is in the state of Wisconsin, just like I know the Brewers have won 13 straight games.

This team is scary. They’ve got a blue-collar style of play, churn out runs 1980s style, and no deficit is too large to overcome. Just take Friday as an example. The Crew was down 8-1 in the second inning, and then ripped off nine unanswered runs to win 10-8.

They’re 33 games over .500 (77-44), have the largest run differential in the league (+161), and are six games better than the next best clubs record-wise in the Blue Jays and Tigers. This is the last team you want to run into in the playoffs, and they’ll likley have home-field advantage the entire playoffs. The entire state of Wisconsin should be ecstatic.

2. Padres

Not to quote Aaron Boone, but everything is right in front of the Padres. They’re tied for the division lead after losing to the Dodgers 3-2 Friday, and have the opportunity to take the NL West and run with it.

The only issue has been their head-to-head with the Dodgers. They’re 2-6 against their division rivals, and Friday, as previously stated, was no different. Yet, they’ve got the talent to win this division against the floundering, injured Dodgers. Especially with the addition on Ramón Laureano, who’s slashing .327/.389/.633 with three homers in 13 games with the Padres.

3. Mariners

After hitting a wall in Baltimore, the Mariners found their groove again in New York.

Friday saw a back-and-forth affair, in which the M’s came out victorious. They defeated the Mets 11-9, getting big homers from Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver, plus a five-run seventh inning which grabbed the lead for good.

This team is deep. And even with a disappointing season from the rotation, the club is half a game back from the Astros for the AL West lead. Like the Brewers, the Mariners have a chance to get their first World Series trophy this season. They just need Eugenio Suárez to get going (.135/.193/.231 in 14 games).

4. Dodgers

The league has finally found the Dodgers’ kryptonite: The Angels.

No, seriously. They finished 0-6 against their crosstown “rivals,” proving why baseball is the best sport on the planet. Anyone can win any night. But seriously, that stretch has allowed the Padres to creep back into the NL West race, which features a series against San Diego this weekend.

The Dodgers took Game One with a vintage performance from Clayton Kershaw (6 IP, 1 ER) and a go-ahead homer from Teoscar Hernández in the seventh. If they continue to get clutch performances like this down the stretch, then everyone’s division parlays won’t miss.

5. Tigers

After a 1-12 stretch during July, the Tigers have finally returned to normalcy. (Yes, read that Mets fans, even the Tigers went on a 1-12 stretch. Positivity!)

They took the first two games against the Twins Thrusday and Friday, and are looking for three consecutive series wins since the beginning of June. They’ll need to keep racking up wins as well, as the Guardians continue to creep back into the AL Central race.

6. Phillies

After an 11-12 July, the Phillies have started August with a strong 9-5 record. Kyle Schwarber continues to make his MVP case, and had another big homer in Friday’s win over the Nationals.

Philadelphia looks bound for the NL East crown, and is getting serious help from the skydiving Mets. The only two factors that could prevent a division title are their seven games remaining against New York, and a potential serious injury to Jhoan Duran. The closer hadn’t allowed a run in four innings, but was carted off the field after being struck by a ball in Friday’s win.

7. Blue Jays

The Jays keep pushing on in the AL East, and after a 7-3 stretch in their last 1o games, find themselves with a healthy five-game lead over the Red Sox in the division.

The club is 72-51, tied for the best record in the AL with the Tigers. And on August 16, it’s time we highlight the resurgence of Bo Bichette. The 27-year-old is having a bounce-back contract year, leading the AL in hits (149) with 16 homers. It’ll be an interesting decision for the Jays whether or not they bring him back, but for now, he and the rest of the core continue to set their sights on October.

8. Astros

Houston has held down the fort atop the AL West despite the M’s making a late-season push.

They won back-to-back series against the Red Sox and Yanks, but ironically, almost found themselves on the wrong side of a perfect game by Brandon Young and the Orioles. Again, isn’t baseball the best?

Still, they hold a slim half-game lead over the Mariners, and the additions of Carlos Correa and a healthy Jeremy Peña have rejuvenated a stale offense.

Correa in particular keeps on raking. He’s slashing .340/.404/.511 with two homers in 12 games in his second stint with H-Town, and I have a strange feeling we’ll be seeing the Astros cause havoc again in October.

9. Cubs

Yeesh. That’s my evaluation of the Cubs right now.

After looking like one of the best teams in the majors in the first half, the Cubs have gone 11-14 to kick off the second half. They’re now nine games behind the Brewers, are 3-7 in their last 10 games, and look wild-card bound.

The regression has hit Pete Crow-Armstrong the most. The 23-year-old is slashing .226/.262/.435 over his 30 games, and hasn’t walked since July 29 against the Brewers.

10. Red Sox

It’s been a fun summer in Boston. And Friday was just another notch in that storyline this season.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Trevor Story chopped a single past the second baseman to give the Sox a 2-1 in over the Marlins. It was the fifth walk-off in their Green Monster jerseys, which if I may say, is a candidate for the best jersey in baseball.

They’re only 5-5 in their last 10, but the Sox start a stretch where they finish this series against the Marlins, play the Orioles six times, visit the struggling Yanks, and then host the Pirates. The division is in reach, and the Sox still have three games left against the Blue Jays in September.

Rest of the Field

11. Guardians
12. Yankees
13. Reds
14. Mets
15. Rangers
16. Giants
17. Royals
18. Rays
19. Cardinals
20. Marlins
21. Angels
22. Twins
23. Diamondbacks
24. Braves
25. Pirates
26. Orioles
27. Athletics
28. White Sox
29. Rockies
30. Nationals

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