The New York Mets (71-76) welcome the Texas Rangers (77-70)
to Citi Field for a three-game set that may have serious playoff repercussions for both clubs. The Mets are just barely holding onto their playoff spot, as they are one and a half games ahead of the Giants and Reds for the third National League Wild Card, while the Rangers are two games out of the last Wild Card spot in the American League.For the Mets, the past week has been the stuff of nightmares. After dropping two of three to the Reds,
a team they could’ve put outside of playoff reach with a series win, they were swept by the Phillies. Not only were they swept, but they were outscored 27-10 and blew a 4-0 first inning lead in the series finale. If the Mets had a remote chance at getting back into first in the National League East with a good series in Philadelphia, those hopes were buried with the sweep.
The Mets’ playbook needs to be focused on survival right now. With both the Reds and Giants nipping at their heels, the Mets have to win ballgames, and they need to get the various pieces of their team working together. When the offense is good, the starting pitching goes four innings; when a starter does well, the bullpen shits the bed. The lack of consistency, not just game to game, but sometimes inning to inning is astounding this season.
The Mets are getting the Rangers at a good time for Texas; they’ve won seven of their last ten games. Their offense, led by Corey Seager, Wyatt Langford, and Marcus Semien, hasn’t been overpowering this season, but has been consistent. They don’t have any hitters with the power of Pete Alonso or Juan Soto, but have enough players who are driving in runs and getting on base consistently that their relative lack of power hasn’t hurt them.
More than anything, the Mets need their three young starters going this weekend to go deep into games. If these three can keep the games close for six or seven innings, the Mets have a real shot at taking this series. If they’re not able to make it past the fourth or fifth inning, this could be a very, very ugly series for the Mets.
Friday, September 12: Jonah Tong vs. Jacob deGrom, 7:10 PM EDT on SNY
Tong (2025): 11.0 IP, 12 K, 4 BB, 3 HR, 4.09 ERA, 5.60 FIP, 100 ERA-
Jonah Tong’s first start was greatly benefitted by the Marlins being a bad team and the Mets having an offensive explosion early in the game. Tong’s second start was marred by playing a better team. We still have no idea who Tong really is as a big leaguer, but his stuff is absolutely there and a good start against a Mets legend would go a long way to showing us exactly what he can do.
deGrom (2025): 155.2 IP, 169 K, 35 BB, 22 HR, 2.78 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 68 ERA-
In his first Citi Field start for another club, Jacob deGrom-the best Mets starting pitcher I ever saw live-returns to face his old club. While I am thrilled at Jake having a good season and turning his career around after many injuries derailed his post-Mets career, I wouldn’t cry at a stinker tonight.
Saturday, September 13: Brandon Sproat vs. Patrick Corbin, 4:10 PM EDT on SNY
Sproat (2025): 6.0 IP, 7 K, 4 BB, 0 HR, 4.50 ERA, 2.81 FIP, 110 ERA-
Another impressive young arm for the Mets debuted last week, with Sproat’s stuff looking fantastic, even if his control was a little off. With a start under his belt and the Citi faithful at his back, this will be a good test to see if he can build on that first start.
Corbin (2025): 142.1 IP, 119 K, 45 BB, 21 HR, 4.36 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 108 ERA-
While not as poor as his final few seasons with Washington have been, Patrick Corbin is a middle of the road (at best in 2025) starter who the Mets have historically hit fairly well. This is their best shot at an easy win this weekend, and the Mets better attack Corbin early and often.
Sunday, September 14: Nolan McLean vs. Jacob Latz, 1:40 PM EDT on WPIX
McLean (2025): 31.2 IP, 33 K, 10 BB, 1 HR, 1.42 ERA, 2.51 FIP, 35 ERA-
Losing 1-0 to the Phillies was a kick in the pants, and while Monday was not McLean’s best start, it was certainly continuing his streak of keeping the team in games. Five and a third innings and 91 pitches isn’t ideal, but he struck out five Phillies and limited the damage of allowing ten baserunners. McLean still seems like the most well adjusted of the Mets’ young starters, which makes sense as he has the most experience.
Latz (2025): 74.1 IP, 66 K, 32 BB, 6 HR, 2.91 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 72 ERA-
Latz has been around the Rangers for a few years now in a relief role, but this year he’s gotten six starts and, thus far, has been effective in those spots. In his last three starts, he’s allowed four earned runs over 17 innings, striking out tena nd walking four.
