Two of the hottest teams in baseball meet for a weekend clash in Queens!

The Mets have won 15 of their last 19 games and are back at .500 for the first time since mid-May. Coming into play today, they sit only one game out of the last Wild Card spot behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The Houston Astros were similarly cast off at the beginning of June but are now riding a seven-game winning streak, returning to .500 in the process while finding themselves three-and-a-half games out of the last American League Wild Card spot. Both teams need to keep building momentum this weekend as they battle to improve their standing in the playoff race. It’s Grimace vs. whatever the Whataburger mascot is!

Photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Brandon Nimmo – LF
3. J.D. Martinez – DH
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. Francisco Alvarez – C
6. Tyrone Taylor – RF
7. Mark Vientos – 3B
8. Jeff McNeil – 2B
9. Harrison Bader – CF

Jose Quintana has made 15 starts this season totaling 78 2/3 innings with a 4.58 ERA, 4.89 FIP, 1.322 WHIP and an 84 ERA+. In his last two starts, though, he has allowed only two runs (one earned) over 12 1/3 innings on six hits and three walks while striking out 14 batters. Before June 15, his highest single-game strikeout total on the year was four. He has eclipsed that number in each of his last two outings with Alvarez behind the plate, showing the total effect he has on the pitching staff. Furthermore, across his first 13 starts of the season, opponents had a .811 OPS against him. Over his last two, it has dropped to .479.

The Astros have the following career numbers against Quintana:

• Jose Altuve 5-27, 8 K
• Yordan Alvarez 1-4, 2B
• Alex Bregman 1-2, K
• Jon Singleton 1-2, K

Opposing Lineup

1. Jose Altuve – 2B
2. Alex Bregman – 3B
3. Yordan Alvarez – DH
4. Yainer Diaz – C
5. Jake Meyers – CF
6. Jeremy Peña – SS
7. Mauricio Dubón – 1B
8. Chas McCormick – RF
9. Joey Loperfido – LF

Ronel Blanco has been a massive bright spot for the Astros this season, even during their toughest days this season. Over 14 starts he has pitched 84 2/3 innings with a 2.34 ERA, 4.07 FIP, 0.969 WHIP and a 169 ERA+. In his last three starts, he has allowed a combined two runs on seven hits and seven walks over 20 innings while striking out 20 batters. Blanco’s two weaknesses this year have been walks (3.6 BB/9) and homers (1.1 HR/9). The reason those shortcomings haven’t hurt him, though, is due to the fact that among qualified pitchers, he’s leading the league with 5.1 H/9 allowed.

The only player on the Mets who has faced Blanco in an official game prior to tonight is Martinez (0-for-2, BB).

Game Notes

Ahead of Friday’s game, Drew Smith told reporters that he had imaging done on his right arm after coming out of Sunday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs, which revealed a substantial amount of damage that may require surgery. He is currently awaiting a second opinion before all parties decide on the next steps.

Manager Carlos Mendoza provided an update on Kodai Senga, stating that he threw a live bullpen session on Thursday and that the plan moving forward is to have him throw another bullpen session before departing on a rehab assignment next week. Senga has yet to appear in a game this season after suffering a right posterior capsule strain during spring training.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Francisco Alvarez. Alvarez has been a tremendous resource for pitchers this season with most, if not all of them, performing better with him behind the dish. Furthermore, he’s just having a tremendous year with the bat. On Wednesday against the New York Yankees, he went 3-for-3 with a double and a homer. Over his last five games, he has gone 8-for-14 with three doubles and three homers while slashing .571/.714/.1.429 (2.143 OPS). Extend him already!
2. Francisco Lindor – Leadoff Double Machine. Lindor came through with a leadoff double on Wednesday, the third time he had done so over a five-game span, and then followed that up with another later in the game. Throughout the Mets’ hot streak, Lindor has been getting on base consistently, allowing the rest of the order to follow through and bring him around to score. He has now put himself in a position to eclipse his career high in doubles (44, currently has 23) and score more than 100 runs for a second-straight season.
3. Harrison Bader is getting streaky again! Bader has two hits in three consecutive games and overall has gone 6-for-12 with three doubles and two homers during that timeframe. With Starling Marte out for the foreseeable future and the Mets set to play 17 games in a row starting tonight, the Mets need Bader to ride this streak as long as he can.

Let’s go Mets!

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The Mets placed RHP Drew Smith on the 15-day IL, retroactive to June 24, with a right elbow sprain before Wednesday’s game. Smith left Sunday’s game against the Cubs after coming in for Edwin Díaz ,who was ejected and suspended 10 games for having a foreign substance on his hand. Smith would go on to get two outs prior to leaving the game after being checked by the trainer and showing some discomfort in his throwing arm.

His IL designation came a couple of hours after Carlos Mendoza told the media that he would be getting an MRI after experiencing forearm tightness, per Tim Healey of Newsday. RHP Ty Adcock was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take his spot in the bullpen. 

Drew Smith, Photo by Ed Delany of Metmerized

The Mets finished off a sweep of the Subway Series on Wednesday night as the Amazin’ offense exploded yet again. Despite an hour and a half rain delay, the Mets added to their 4-0 lead and didn’t stop. They poured  on against the Yankees’ bullpen, leading to a 12-2 final score.

The Mets have off on Thursday before they host the Houston Astros for a weekend series. The Mets are expected to have José Quintana on the mound (3-5, 4.58 ERA) against Ronel Blanco (8-2, 2.34 ERA) of the Astros for the Friday matchup.

Latest Mets News

Mets catcher Joe Hudson cleared waivers, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The club outrighted him back to Triple-A Syracuse.

Ryan Clifford was named the Mets’ hottest-hitting prospect by MLB.com. Despite having a .211 batting average in June, 11 of his 12 hits have been for extra bases and he boasts a 1.081 OPS this month.

José Iglesias has been pressured by J.D. Martinez and the Mets’ clubhouse to push up the official release of “OMG,” and it will now be available on Friday, per Steve Gelbs of SNY.

Brett Baty continues to tear up Triple-A, hitting two more home runs and raising his OPS to 1.188. He has now homered eight times in 65 at-bats since being sent down.

Jonah Tong threw a gem for High-A Brooklyn on Wednesday: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO. He now has a 3.38 ERA on the season.

Luisangel Acuña had his 9th multi-hit game of his last 15 games. He has 26 hits, 12 RBIs and six stolen bases during that span for Triple-A Syracuse.

Latest MLB News

The Houston Astros signed former Mets catcher Omar Narváez to a minor league deal, per Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston. The Mets released Narváez on June 5.

Shohei Ohtani set a Dodgers franchise record by becoming the first player to record an RBI in 10 straight games.

The Astros lose yet another pitcher as J.P. France will be undergoing surgery on his shoulder and will miss the remainder of thr 2024, per his agent Nate Heisler of Klutch Sports. José Urquidy and Cristian Javier are also going to miss the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers have missed the first half of the 2024 season, and Justin Verlander has also missed time this season.

MLB announced the participants in the 2024 All-Star Celebrity Softball game, including Pedro Martínez, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers and former NFL star Terrell Owens. 

Alden Gonzalez of ESPN dives into Trajekt Arc, which is a machine that can replicate every pitch thrown in MLB, down to the mph and RPM. Hitters can use the machine during games and is the latest advancement for batters to use in attempt to keep up with continuous pitch development.

Justin Verlander, who is eligible to come off the IL on Monday, will not accompany the Astros to New York, according to Houston’s manager Joe Espada, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. He also noted that Verlander is getting better, but still has not played catch yet.

Michael Kay complained about SNY saying the Mets had the best booth in baseball.

Latest on MMO

Brett Baty keeps raking in Triple-A. 

Mark Vientos had his signature Subway Series moment on Tuesday.

Harrison Bader gets revenge against his old squad.

On This Date in Mets History

2008: Carlos Delgado sets a Mets franchise record by driving in nine runs in one game. Delgado hit a two-run double, three-run home run, and a grand slam in a Mets big win over the Yankees.

1962: The Mets sign a 17-year-old first baseman, Ed Kranepool. The original Met would go on to play 18 seasons with the club.

Birthdays: Abraham Almonte (35), Chris Woodward (48), Ricardo Jordan (54), Jeff Conine (58)

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The Mets have hit another lull as of late and are falling behind in the division at a rapid pace as they continue to fall to division foes. Despite Brandon Nimmo heroics salvaging the final game of a three-game set against the Braves, the Amazins have found themselves losers of five of their last six to their division rivals. 

After the Mets were shut out and no-hit for most of Tuesday night’s game, as the club came out looking flat again on a rainy day in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Phillies’ offense exploded for four runs in the fifth inning, and that was all she wrote for the Mets. Click here to read more on the Mets’ disappointing performance.

New York will look to take one from the Phillies on Thursday with José Quintana going against former Met Taijuan Walker at 6:40 p.m.

Latest Mets News

LHP Brooks Raley officially has a UCL strain. He’ll be shut down for two weeks in hopes of avoiding surgery, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. For more info on the injury, click here.

RHP Drew Smith felt a pinch in his shoulder, a slight setback. He’ll continue throwing but isn’t ready to come off the IL, also per Anthony DiComo.

Tylor Megill is with the Mets in Philadelphia, but not active, per Mike Puma of the NY Post. The plan is for Megill to either start Monday or Tuesday. For more info on Megill’s status, click here.

The Mets are expected to give Elian Peña, a highly touted infielder from the Dominican Republic, $5 million to sign with the club when the international signing period opens on Jan 15, 2025 per Baseball America. To learn more about the signing, click here!

Mrs. Met has been nominated for the Mascot Hall of Fame.

RHP José Buttó was optioned to Triple-A, while RHP Yohan Ramírez and INF Joey Wendle were DFA’d by the club. The Mets promoted RHP Grant Hartwig, LHP Joey Lucchesi and INF Mark Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse as well.

Mets pitching prospect Brandon Sproat went five innings of no-run ball while only giving up three hits and two walks in his first Double-A start. 

Mets owner Steve Cohen posted a now deleted tweet that hinted at the Mets being sellers at the deadline, “All in the future, not much we can do until trade deadline.”

Latest MLB News

The Texas Rangers transferred RHP Max Scherzer from the 15-day to 60-day Injured List as he rehabs from back surgery. 

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco was suspended for 10 games after being caught with a sticky substance on his glove during Tuesday’s game. 

The Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Nick Lodolo on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to 5/12, with a left groin strain. They recalled LHP Sam Moll from Triple-A Louisville.

The White Sox acquired OF Corey Julks from the Houston Astros and sent RHP Luis Rodríguez to Houston in return.

The Los Angeles Angels DFA’d LHP Amir Garret and recalled RHP Davis Daniel from Triple-A Salt Lake.

The San Francisco Giants signed catcher Curt Casali to a one-year Major League contract.

Latest on MMO

Mets expected to give out largest international bonus pool contract.

Brandon Sproat shines in Double-A debut!

Tylor Megill expected to make his return this weekend.

On This Date in Mets History

1983: Darryl Strawberry hits his first career home run, he would go on to hit 252 in his Mets career and 335 in total.

Birthdays: Jerrod Riggan (50), Frank Seminara (57)

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