The Mets, fresh off the All Star break and playing a game shrouded in an orangey haze thanks to the horrific wildfires in Canada, played a rather complete game to win their first game of the second half.
The sole game on Major League Baseball’s docket, Christian Scott toed the rubber against Aaron Nola, and the recently announced as untouchable Scott out dueled the veteran. Scott was excellent, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings, striking out seven and surrendering just three hits, all without walking
a batter. He got into trouble in the sixth inning, hence why he did not end up with a quality start, as he surrendered a two out double to Kyle Schwarber (that was very close to being a home run). He was relieved by Brooks Raley, who got Bryce Harper to end the threat.
The Mets offense was largely predicated on the long ball. Francisco Alvarez opened the scoring in the third with a solo homer, Brett Baty hit a solo homer in the seventh to make it 2-0, and Alvarez hit his second solo shot of the game to go back to back, and make it 3-0. Overall, they got to Aaron Nola that way, as all three runs he surrendered were solo shots.
The Mets bullpen was mostly flawless, with Raley and Huascar Brazobán putting up zeros in their outings. The only run of the game came on an eighth inning solo home run by Trea Turner off of Luke Weaver, of all people. That run snapped a rather impressive streak for Weaver, who went the previous 27 2/3 innings without allowing a run. Weaver will likely be one of the best relievers on the trade market as we inch towards the deadline, and the Mets season is as over as a season can possibly be by July 16th.
The Mets got that run back in the top of the ninth, when A.J. Ewing hit an opposite field double that chased home Jared Young. Ewing continues to be one of the bright spots for the 2026 Mets, as the young center fielder is hitting .274/.347/.438 (121 wRC+) across his first 58 games as a Major Leaguer. If we do not get much out of the 2026 Mets, we get a long term outfield solution of Juan Soto, A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge, which is a strong foundation to build on.
Speaking of Soto, he had a whirlwind game. On one hand, he went 1-1 with three walks, as his MVP level season continues (.292/.412/.563, 166 wRC+). However, he left the game in the eighth inning with what was described as left calf soreness, though the Mets still expect him to play this weekend.
While the Mets are mostly playing out the string for the rest of the season, seeing quality performances from foundational players such as Scott, Ewing and Soto is still something to enjoy for the rest of the campaign.
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Big Mets winner: Christian Scott, +33% WPA
Big Mets loser: Bo Bichette, -17% WPA
Mets pitchers: +51% WPA
Mets hitters: -1% WPA (I was surprised by this but they did leave seven men on base and go 0-6 with RISP)
Teh aw3s0mest play: Brett Baty’s solo home run, +12.3% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Bryce Harper’s double, -5.4% WPA
