• Tylor Megill
• David Peterson
• Francisco Alvarez
• Tyrone Taylor
• Jose Castillo
• Huascar Brazobán
• Luis Torrens
• Max Kranick
• Reed Garrett

The Mets have a few players that they will have to make a decision on whether to keep for 2026 or turn them loose.

Tylor Megill

Every year since 2022, Tylor Megill has found his way into the Mets’ rotation after being on the outside looking in to begin spring training. That will not be the case in 2026, as the towering righty underwent Tommy John surgery in September. MLB Trade Rumors projects Megill to make $2.6 million in arbitration. While his 3.95 ERA and 3.43 FIP in 2025 are the best marks of his career, he won’t pitch at all next season and can become a free agent after the 2027 season. Megill’s Mets tenure has been riddled with injuries and inconsistency. While he’s shown flashes of greatness, it’s hard not to wonder if he’s thrown his last pitch in Flushing.

Reed Garrett

Garrett broke out with the Mets in 2024, posting a 3.77 ERA and 3.31 FIP with 83 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. He got off to a red-hot start in 2025, posting a 0.95 ERA through June 10, but got roughed up to the tune of a 7.00 ERA for the rest of the season. Garrett went on the injured list with right elbow inflammation in late August, which cost him two weeks. He made four appearances before needing to go back on the injured list with an elbow sprain, and he had to undergo Tommy John surgery. Garrett is projected to make $1.4 million in arbitration, but the Mets face a tougher decision since Garrett is under team control through 2029. While he won’t be available in 2026, Garrett could be an important piece of the Mets’ bullpen once he gets healthy.

Max Kranick

Kranick, who grew up a Mets fan, showed promise after cracking the big league roster in 2025, posting a solid 3.65 ERA with 25 strikeouts against just five walks in 37 innings. However, just like Garrett and Megill, he was placed on the injured list with elbow trouble and underwent flexor tendon surgery later in the summer. Kranick is projected to make $1.1 million in arbitration this offseason and has three years of club control remaining. Unlike Megill and Garrett, though, Kranick could return to the mound in 2026, as his recovery timeline is shorter. It’s unclear what Kranick’s role would be, but it might be premature for the Mets to cut ties with him.

Huascar Brazobán

After a rough end to his 2024 season, Brazobán came out of the gates strong in 2025. He was one of the team’s best relievers for the first two months of the season, posting a 1.30 ERA over his first 26 appearances of the season. However, he was torched for 17 earned runs in 17 innings over his next 18 appearances, and was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in late July. Brazobán was recalled in late August and was solid the rest of the year, posting a 2.38 ERA in 11 1/3 innings through the end of the year. He is expected to make $1.3 million in arbitration this offseason and is under team control through 2029. Brazobán has struggled with consistency for much of his Mets tenure and is already 36 years old. With the Mets in desperate need of a bullpen overhaul, they could consider parting ways with the righty to give some younger players with higher upside a shot.

Jose Castillo

Castillo split time with four different teams in 2025, including a 16-game stint with the Mets. He was shuttled between New York and Syracuse, but posted a 2.35 ERA with 19 strikeouts against six walks in 15 1/3 innings with the big club. However, opponents batted .333 against him. The Mets designated Castillo for assignment in September, and he was claimed off waivers by the Mariners. Castillo is projected to make $1.7 million in arbitration, which is a hefty amount for a player who only threw 32 innings in the majors this year. The Mets had a similar situation with another lefty, Alex Young, in 2024, and they non-tendered him despite solid work in 13 2/3 innings. While the Mets are in need of bullpen help, Castillo likely wouldn’t have a major league roster spot in 2026.

The post Examining the Mets’ Non-Tender Candidates appeared first on Metsmerized.

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Garrett has been one of the few stalwarts in the Mets’ bullpen these past two seasons. A career journeyman, the Mets picked up Garrett in 2023, and after making nine appearances for New York in that season, he pitched in 53 and 58 regular-season games, respectively, in 2024 and 2025.

The Mets righty pitched to a 3.90 ERA this past year, after a 3.77 ERA the previous year. That number was 3.33 on August 21st. The next night, he gave up two runs to the Braves and was subsequently put on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation.

After making his return on September 7, he only pitched three more innings for the team, giving up three runs, and then was put back on the IL for a right elbow strain. At that point, it was a matter of which, not if, surgery would be needed.

In an offseason in which many people will question how the team will fix its disappointing starting rotation and lineup, it is the bullpen that has by far the most holes. With Garrett injured all of next season, one of their most reliable options is officially off the table.

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With the end of the regular season fast approaching, the Mets moved another step closer to securing a postseason berth after taking the series from the San Diego Padres.

The Mets took two out of three from San Diego at Citi Field. As a result, New York is now a full two games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Cincinnati Reds for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. The Mets are also three games ahead of the Giants with nine games remaining.

Now 48-30 at Citi Field this season, the Mets very much have their destiny in their own hands as we hit the stretch run. It is now time to get the job done.

Before we reach that point, however, let’s recap everything from the Padres series in 4 Up, 2 Down…

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

4 UP

CHICKS DIG THE LONG BALL

We saw the full explosive potential of this offense throughout the Padres series. The lineup hit 10 home runs in the three games, which is the franchise’s most in a three-game series at home, per Elias. Now that’s impressive. What is also impressive is the fact that this offense now looks like a unit that can cause some damage in October. We saw how this lineup was able to blow away San Diego with brute force. Even in the loss on Wednesday, the offense was able to claw its way back into the game thanks to hitting four homers. Furthermore, the Mets have scored a total of 249 runs since August 1 – the second-most in the majors. If the pitching can sort itself out, then this offense has a chance to really set this team up for success in the postseason.

UNSTOPPABLE POWER SURGE

Pete Alonso seems determined to drag the Mets across the finish line all on his own. The slugger has now hit a home run in four consecutive games. All in all, Alonso finished with three homers, five runs scored and four RBIs against the Padres. Consequently, he now sits fourth in franchise history for the most RBIs in a single season with 121. This current captain clutch version of Alonso could give the Mets a real edge come playoff time.

BOUNCING BACK

Full kudos to Jonah Tong. Not only did the rookie bounce back from a nightmare start, but he also showed why he could be a weapon in the playoffs. The righty looked like a seasoned veteran in his outing against San Diego on Thursday, striking out eight and allowing just one unearned run over five stellar innings. Tong looked untouchable, retiring the final seven batters he faced and striking out four in a row at one point. His four-seam fastball was absolutely lethal and did the most damage. Tong showed a lot of maturity to respond the way he did to adversity. He also showed the kind of high upside that could see him play a starring role in October.

SIGNS OF HOPE

The Mets opted to piggyback Clay Holmes and Sean Manaea for Tuesday’s game. The experiment paid off. Both pitchers pitched well, with Manaea’s outing being particularly encouraging. The lefty allowed just one earned run – a solo homer – while striking out four over five solid innings. Not only did Manaea look good, but he also offered hope that maybe his best stuff could still be to come. Furthermore, maybe the strategy of piggybacking Holmes and Manaea could be one that potentially pays off in the playoffs.

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

2 DOWN

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

The Mets officially have a David Peterson problem. The lefty struggled yet again in his latest outing on Wednesday, allowing six earned runs. That included a back-breaking grand slam that changed the entire tenor of the game. As a result of his latest struggles, Peterson now owns a 7.59 ERA over his last eight starts, allowing a total of 34 earned runs. That isn’t good. Furthermore, Peterson just hasn’t looked like the same pitcher since the All-Star break. He looked gassed and devoid of any confidence on Wednesday, which also isn’t good. If the Mets want to go deep in October, they will need Peterson to go back to the big-innings ace he was in the first half.

SETBACKS

Injuries continue to bite the Mets. Francisco Alvarez was hit on the arm yet again during Tuesday’s series opener. While it seems the catcher has escaped serious injury, you wonder how many more knocks he can take before he breaks completely. Plus, it is hard to get into a rhythm when you are constantly being hurt and removed from games. Meanwhile, Reed Garrett was placed back on the IL with a right elbow strain. Tommy John surgery is a possibility. If Garrett is indeed done for the year, then that will require another body to step up in the bullpen. As streaky as Garrett has been, this bullpen can’t really afford to lose key arms.

The post 4 Up, 2 Down: Mets Show Off Power Against Padres appeared first on Metsmerized.

Garrett, 32, went 3-6 with a 3.90 ERA and 1.32 WHIP this season, striking out 64 in 55 1/3 innings. He last pitched on Sunday, and his placement on the IL was retroactive to Monday. He spent two weeks on the IL with a similar injury in late August. The regular season ends on Sept. 28.

Hamel pitched a scoreless inning in the loss, giving up three hits and catching a break when Juan Soto threw out a runner at second base before another runner touched home to end the sixth inning. He was the 46th pitcher the Mets used this year, setting an MLB record.

New York announced a few other moves ahead of Thursday’s 1:10 p.m. start with the Padres.

Sean Manaea, who is scheduled to pitch Sunday, was placed on the paternity list. Relievers Huascar Brazobán and Chris Devenski were called up from Triple-A Syracuse, and reliever Wander Suero was selected to the major-league roster.

The Mets (78-74) enter Thursday’s action with a 1.5-game lead over Arizona (77-76) for the final Wild Card spot. Cincinnati (76-76) and San Francisco (76-76) are two games back. The Mets have 10 games left in the season.

The post Garrett Lands on Injured List, Hamel DFA’d appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mired in yet another alarming slump, the Mets were easily swept aside by the Philadelphia Phillies in a four-game sweep. As a result, New York has now lost six-straight games.

Consequently, the Mets are all but dead in the race for the NL East with the Phillies a full 11 games ahead. Furthermore, the Mets are just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

All in all, the Mets are seeing their chances of making the playoffs drop by the day. And, even if this team were to make the postseason, they look like the exact opposite of a World Series contender.

On that note, let’s recap all the bad and all the ugly from a week to forget. Let’s proceed with a one-off edition of 2 Up, 4 Down…

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

2 UP 

STAR IN THE MAKING

Nolan McLean is arguably one of only two bright spots for the Mets right now. We’ll get to the other one shortly. For now, McLean continues to impress. The rookie gave up just one run over 5.1 innings while striking five and walking three on Monday. McLean did his job and gave his team every chance to win. Sadly, the offense couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain. However, McLean now owns a stellar 1.42 ERA and continues to look like a potential future workhorse.

ELITE SUPERSTAR 

Time for the second and final bright spot as it pertains to the Mets. Juan Soto is playing at the superstar level he’s been used to his entire career. The elite hitter has been the only real constant for this offense, and he was the only real threat in this series. Soto reached base in all four games, going a combined 5-for-16 with five runs scored and two RBIs. He’s hitting .357/.419/.643/.1.062 with two homers, two doubles, five runs scored, four RBIs, three walks and five stolen bases over his last seven games. Furthermore, Soto stole his 30th base of the season during this series, recording his first career 30/30 campaign. He also became just the fifth Met to achieve that milestone. All in all, Soto is everything the Mets need him to be right now.

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

4 DOWN

ALL-TIME LOW

Right, time now for the negatives. The Mets seem to be hitting new lows almost every week, and the Phillies series will go down as one of the lowest. Not only were the Mets swept, but they didn’t put up a fight in any of the four games. In fact, this team looked non-competitive and didn’t have a pulse. More concerning is the fact that this team just didn’t play with any urgency in Philadelphia. That’s despite the fact that a playoff spot is far from guaranteed. Sure, the starting pitching stinks right now, the bullpen is a mess and the offense is just way too hot and cold. However, with all that said, the lack of fight, heart and hustle is a really troubling sign. Something just seems off with this current group.

FALLING STARS

As we’ve already mentioned, the Mets are getting little offensive production outside of Soto. That includes from the other three members of the so-called “Fab Four.” Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo went a combined 7-for-46 with just one extra-base hit in four games against Philadelphia. That just isn’t good enough. Furthermore, over their last seven games, Lindor is hitting .208/.367/.333/.700, Nimmo is slashing just .160/.207/.160/.367 and Alonso is hitting .179/.233/.250/.483. The top of the lineup should be absolutely mashing this time of year. But, outside of Soto, that just isn’t happening. The Mets’ big-time players are shrinking on the biggest stage.

UNWANTED HISTORY

Thursday was the embarrassing icing on top of the embarrassing cake for the Mets. After scoring four or more runs in the first inning, the Mets then failed to have a single player reach base the rest of the game. That’s the first time that has happened in the modern era, per OPTA Stats. If that isn’t embarrassing, then I don’t know what is. But that also sums up everything wrong with this team right now. Even when things are going good, they aren’t sustainable. The Mets built a big lead early but couldn’t hold on, instead collapsing to a humiliating defeat while not putting up any single resistance. Whatever the opposite of clutch is, this team is its very definition.

PITCHING HOUSE OF HORRORS 

Pitching was a total nightmare across the board for New York in this series. Outside of Nolan McLean, the starting pitching was not good. Sean Manaea allowed four earned runs and lasted just five innings on Tuesday. Clay Holmes also gave up four earned runs in his outing on Wednesday. Then, in Thursday’s series finale, David Peterson allowed three earned runs on seven hits while lasting just five innings. We’re in September and the Mets still aren’t getting length from their veteran starters. Even Peterson has regressed in that area as his struggles continue. As for the bullpen, the unit was hardly effective outside of Monday’s game. Reed Garrett allowed three earned runs and gave up the lead in Thursday’s game. All in all, pitching is just a non-factor for the Mets right now. Outside of the rookies, obviously.

The post 2 Up, 4 Down: Slumping Mets Collapse In Philly appeared first on Metsmerized.

TRIPLE-A

SYRACUSE METS (68-66) vs BUFFALO BISONS (54-76) PPD (Doubleheader on Friday, 9/5)

The Syracuse Mets were postponed due to rain. The game will be made up this Friday as part of a doubleheader. Notably, the Syracuse lineup will be without Francisco Alvarez, who will be activated off the IL before New York takes on the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Alvarez has not played in the majors since August 17 due to a right thumb ligament sprain.

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

DOUBLE-A

BINGHAMTON RUMBLE PONIES (84-43) 3, Akron Rubber Ducks (72-56) 6

Box Score

• CF A.J. Ewing 2-for-4, RBI (8), R (15), K (.906 OPS)
• LF Nick Morabito 2-for-5, 2B (27), RBI (54), K (.738 OPS)
• 3B Jacob Reimer 0-for-1 (.886 OPS)
• C Chris Suero 0-for-3, RBI (16), K (.723 OPS)

Ewing continued his torrid start in Binghamton with another multi-hit game, his 10th out of the last 13 games and his 15th since joining the Rumble Ponies. Ewing (MMO No. 9 Prospect) is hitting .391 at Binghamton and .324 across three levels of the Mets’ system in 2025. Reimer was removed from the game after his first AB.

• RHP Reed Garrett (0.00 ERA) 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 K
• RHP Will Watson (7.27 ERA) 4 1/3 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 3 K

Garrett began his rehab assignment in Binghamton after missing the previous two weeks due to elbow inflammation. He tossed a scoreless first inning while getting two strikeouts, one with his splitter and one with his slider. Watson struggled, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and five walks. Watson, who was promoted last week from Brooklyn after posting a stellar 1.70 ERA over 63 2/3 innings, has had some command issues in his first full minor league season, this start making it nine consecutive for him with multiple walks.

HIGH-A

BROOKLYN CYCLONES (71-58) 1, JERSEY SHORE BLUECLAWS (61-64) 6

Box Score

• SS Colin Houck 0-for-4, K (.559 OPS)
• C Ronald Hernandez 0-for-3 (.660 OPS)
• DH Corey Collins 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI (14), R (12), K (.531 OPS)
• 3B Diego Mosquera 0-for-3, 2 K (.577 OPS)

It was a tough day for the Brooklyn offense. Collins, the Mets’ sixth-round draft pick in 2024, hit a solo home run to break up the BlueClaws’ no-hitter in the top of the eighth inning. Houck, a first-round draft pick in 2023, has struggled to find his footing in Brooklyn. After posting an .812 OPS in St. Lucie, he is slashing .197/.269/.290 in Brooklyn over 53 games, good for a .559 OPS.

• RHP Noah Hall (2.72 ERA) 4 2/3 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
• RHP Josh Blum (2.36 ERA) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 K

Hall got burned by two big hits: A three-run home run and a two-out RBI double in a losing effort for Brooklyn. Hall was a seventh-round pick out of South Carolina in 2023 and has been very solid for Brooklyn this year. Blum continues a stretch of really solid pitching, allowing only one earned run with eight strikeouts over his last eight innings out of the Brooklyn bullpen.

LOW-A

ST. LUCIE METS (76-52) 3, FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSELS (51-72) 6

Box Score

• 2B Trey Snyder 1-for-4, R (56), SB (38) (.615 OPS)
• C Daiverson Gutierrez 0-for-4, K (.677 OPS)
• SS Antonio Jimenez 1-for-3, BB (11), RBI (14), R (12), K (.605 OPS)
• RF Simon Juan 2-for-4, R (43), 2 K (.625 OPS)
• DH Randy Guzman 1-for-4, K (1.010 OPS)

While the offense hasn’t totally clicked yet, Snyder (MMO No. 37 Prospect) stole his 38th base, ranking fourth among all qualified Mets minor leaguers. Guzman added another hit today, upping his hitting streak to nine games for St. Lucie. Guzman is currently holding a very strong 1.010 OPS across 24 games at Brooklyn after being promoted from the Florida Complex League in late July.

• LHP Daviel Hurtado (2.70 ERA) 4 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
• RHP Joe Scarborough (27.00 ERA) 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB

Scarborough, the Mets’ 19th-round pick out of Jacksonville State, made his professional debut for St. Lucie. He struggled to find the zone, walking three batters and only throwing 14 out of 32 pitches for strikes. Hurtado is coming off a fantastic finish to the summer for St. Lucie, allowing only six earned runs and striking out 37 over 33 2/3 innings in the months of July and August.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Reed Garrett Shines in First Rehab Outing appeared first on Metsmerized.

6:35 PM ⋅ Canal Park ⋅ Binghamton (84-42) at Akron (71-56)

Binghamton Lineup

1. A.J. Ewing, CF
2. D’Andre Smith, LF
3. Jacob Reimer, 3B
4. Chris Suero, C
5. JT Schwartz, DH
6. Nick Lorusso, 1B
7. William Lugo, SS
8. Omar De Los Santos, RF
9. Jefrey De Los Santos, 2B

Garrett has missed the last two weeks due to elbow inflammation. He will start today’s game for the Rumble Ponies.

7:05 PM ⋅ ShoreTown Ballpark ⋅ Brooklyn (71-57) at Jersey Shore (60-64)

Brooklyn Lineup

1. Yonatan Henríquez, CF
2. Colin Houck, SS
3. Ronald Hernandez, C
4. Trace Willhoite, 1B
5. Corey Collins, DH
6. John Bay, RF
7. Nick Roselli, 2B
8. Diego Mosquera, 3B
9. Vincent Perozo, LF

Hall took a tough loss in his last outing, allowing just three hits and one walk in 5 2/3 innings, but a two-out two-run single ended his night, then a bases-clearing double allowed his last baserunner to score. He still has a sparkling 2.42 ERA with 110 strikeouts over 108 innings this season.

7:05 PM ⋅ Lee Health Sports Complex ⋅ St. Lucie (76-51) at Fort Myers (50-72)

St. Lucie Lineup

1. Trey Snyder, 2B
2. Antonio Jimenez, SS
3. AJ Salgado, LF
4. Randy Guzman, DH
5. Daiverson Gutierrez, C
6. Simon Juan, RF
7. Chase Meggers, 1B
8. Kevin Villavicencio, 3B
9. Sam Robertson, CF

Lefty Daviel Hurtado will take the mound for St. Lucie. Hurtado came out of the bullpen in his last outing and held Lakeland to just one run in four innings despite four walks.

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Losing Garrett, who, even though wasn’t as sharp in his recent outings, is still a tremendous blow to an unstable bullpen. The righty started the year strong, posting a 0.00 ERA through the end of April (11 ⅔ innings pitched) with 12 punch outs, four walks and 12 hits. However, since May 1, he’s pitched to a 4.65 ERA while striking out 50 batters, walking 20 and allowing 21 earned runs in 40 ⅔ innings. The Mets removed him from a dependable late-inning arm, especially after acquiring Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto and Ryan Helsley.

Castillo rejoins the Mets for his third stint in 2025. He’s pitched well for the Mets, posting a 2.15 ERA in 14 appearances, striking out 17 batters while allowing only six walks.

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Entering the three-game series against the Braves on a two-game losing streak, the Mets won the first two games to win the series and get back to winning ways.

However, any positive momentum was halted on Sunday thanks to a sloppy loss to Atlanta in the finale. As a result, we were reminded of all of this team’s flaws and shortcomings.

Therefore, the upcoming series with the Phillies is even more do-or-die as it pertains to the NL East. Failure to take at least two out of three could effectively end any hopes of winning the division.

However, before we look too far ahead, let’s first look back and reflect on the weekend that was in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

3 UP

NOT BAD FOR AN ENCORE

Nolan McLean‘s MLB debut was one to remember. His second career outing was even better. On the road for the first time and pitching in a hostile environment, McLean balled out against the Braves on Friday night. He allowed just two earned runs and no walks on four hits with seven strikeouts across seven innings. Granted, the righty did benefit from plenty of run support in the series opener. But, even so, he still did his job by being efficient and going long, ensuring that another bullpen implosion didn’t hurt his team. We’re dealing with a small sample size here, but McLean has exciting potential and lots of upside. And, based on his first two career starts in the bigs, he could be the big-innings arm this rotation so badly needs.

ON A TEAR

Welcome back, Mark Vientos. The 2024 version of the slugger has been an absolute no-show for most of 2025. Until now, that is. Vientos has looked more like his old self as of late, and never was that more evident than this weekend. He was almost unstoppable against the Braves, hitting three home runs in just two days. He finished the series 5-for-14 with three extra-base hits and five RBIs. Consequently, Vientos is now hitting .357/.400/.958 during a scorching seven-game hitting streak. If this latest stretch is real, and Vientos is indeed back, then that will only be good for the Mets as we approach the stretch run.

UNDER-THE-RADAR

Starling Marte is quietly becoming a reliable piece in this lineup. The veteran has had to settle for a part-time role in 2025, but he’s made the job his own. We saw how valuable Marte can be on Saturday when the veteran had his fingerprints all over a big series-clinching win. He finished 3-for-3 with a run scored, a home run, one RBI, two stolen bases, and a walk. Furthermore, Marte also contributed in the field with an outfield assist. As a result of that monster outing, Marte became the first player with a homer, outfield assist, and two stolen bases in a game since 2023. He is also now the active leader in both stolen bases (361) and outfield assists (107). He may not be the player he once was, but Marte is proving that he can still contribute in a significant way.

Brandon Nimmo. Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

3 DOWN

GOING STREAKING

Pete Alonso has hit somewhat of another skid. The slugger, the newly-crowned Mets’ home run king, was quiet for the most part in Atlanta. He did hit a home run and finish with two RBIs on Saturday. But, outside of that, he was hitless on Sunday and went 2-for-15 in the series overall. As a result, Alonso is now hitting just .111/.172/.259 with just one homer over his last six games. Locked in an intense battle for the playoffs, the Mets need Alonso to go on an absolute heater, and soon.

STIFF ISSUE 

Brandon Nimmo has been battling a stiff neck, and he missed the vast majority of the Braves series. In fact, the only time we saw Nimmo in Atlanta was as a pinch-hitter on Sunday. The expectation now is that Nimmo will return to the lineup on Monday. However, the veteran has also dealt with neck issues before. Plus, this continues a trend of Nimmo going down hurt just as he’s really hitting a stride. With every win crucial at this stage of the season, the Mets can’t afford for anyone at the top of the lineup to go cold. The hope will be that Nimmo can recover quickly from neck stiffness and contribute in a big way down the stretch.

SAME OLD ISSUES

The Mets couldn’t sweep this series because of the flaws that have led to them playing bad baseball for a long stretch. The same old problems were also on display throughout the weekend in Atlanta. The bullpen tried its best to give the game away on Friday. Reed Garrett and Ryan Helsley combined to give up five earned runs on six hits over the final two innings. Thankfully, the offense had built enough of a lead to survive that collapse.

On Saturday, despite scoring nine runs, the offense went 1-for-9 with RISP, leaving nine runners stranded. It was a similar story on Sunday, but with a different outcome. The lineup again went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, with a lack of offense leading to a loss. Gregory Soto then allowed the go-ahead runs in the eighth to seal a frustrating day at the office. The Mets, despite winning this series, still aren’t playing clean baseball. And that’s a very real concern with the Phillies now in town.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Can’t Finish The Sweep Against Atlanta appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets’ bats once again got to Mariners starter George Kirby, tagging him for 12 hits and seven runs over 4 2/3 innings. Francisco Alvarez continued to swing a hot bat since his recall, going 3-for-4 with two doubles as his season OPS inched closer to .800. He jammed his thumb on a slide but stayed in the game briefly before eventually exiting.

Francisco Lindor stayed locked in at the plate, ripping a ball 99.8 mph into the gap for a double, giving him his third hit of the night despite a misplay in the field. The Mets chased Kirby in the fifth, when Mark Vientos launched a big three-run homer with Sean Manaea joining the booth. New York’s lineup made Kirby work hard despite his strong recent stretch.

Clay Holmes set the tone on the mound, tossing five strong innings and giving up just one run on five hits while striking out four to notch his 10th win of the year. The bullpen backed him up with an overall steady showing, led by Ryan Helsley’s dominant frame that featured two strikeouts and no hits allowed. Brooks Raley added a clean inning with a strikeout, and Tyler Rogers kept the shut-down effort rolling in the ninth despite a couple of baserunners reaching.

Though Reed Garrett allowed two runs in his appearance, the relief corps as a whole held firm, combining with Holmes to limit the Mariners to just three runs on 10 hits across the full nine innings.

Mark Vientos (27) Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Player of the Game: Mark Vientos

Mark Vientos had the big knock of the game with a huge three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to put the game away. He had a huge game, driving in four runs and going 2-for-3 on the evening.

On Deck

The Mets have an off-day on Monday, but are right back at it on the road in Washington, D.C. to take on the Nationals. David Peterson (7-5, 3.30 ERA) looks to rebound on the mound for the Mets while Jake Irvin (8-7, 5.14 ERA) toes the slab for Washington. First pitch is at 6:45 pm ET, and the game will be broadcast on SNY and Mets Radio 880.

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