Meet the Mets
Another gem by Nolan McLean buoyed the Mets to a 6-2 victory over the Astros yesterday afternoon. Juan Soto knocked in a run in his return from the injured list, A.J. Ewing a spectacular catch, and Jared Young had a big day at the plate, notching three hits and three RBIs.
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There was a bit of a scare with Soto when he fouled a ball off his leg in yesterday’s game, but he was okay and will continue
to see time at DH before making a return to the field with copious off days baked in.
Which leads one to ask: why have Soto return at all in a lost season? Why not just shut him down? “He has pushed himself in a way that, frankly, you don’t see a lot of veterans push themselves when your team is in this type of situation that we’re in,” manager Andy Green said. “That speaks volumes to his desire to be on the field.” This “warrior mentality,” as Sean Manaea put it, sets the tone for next year’s clubhouse as well and keeps the Mets’ best hitter sharp.
Speaking of injured Mets hoping to return before season’s end, Devin Williams (right shoulder strain) played catch yesterday—the start of his throwing progression.
With August trades a thing of the past, the Mets placed Luis Robert Jr.—who they tried unsuccessfully to trade at the deadline due to his extended stint on the injured list—on outright waivers yesterday. If another team claims him, they will assume all of his remaining salary for this season.
Jonah Tong came within one out of a seven-inning no-hitter in a doubleheader yesterday for Triple-A Syracuse. He could be an option for the Mets as the calendar turns to September and rosters expand.
Not playing well made it hard for Bo Bichette to settle into the clubhouse, but he did have an impact on young rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. And since then, as his play has improved, he has settled in as he weighs what to do in the offseason, given the opt out in his contract.
Around the National League East
Dylan Crews dealt the decisive blow with an RBI knock in the tenth, as the Nationals walked off the Marlins 5-4. But Cade Cavalli’s day ended early when he was hit in the leg by a comebacker in the fourth, having yet to surrender a hit. Luckily for the Nationals, X-rays on Cavalli’s leg were negative.
The Marlins yesterday recalled Wikelman González, who they had claimed off waivers from the White Sox.
The Phillies also won extras, defeating the Angels 4-2 in ten innings, despite a sloppy night on the base paths. Cristopher Sánchez pitched seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts in the victory.
The Phillies are likely to call up Rafael Marchán—who is currently on rehab assignment—when rosters expand on Tuesday to serve as a third catcher.
The Braves kept pace, beating the Rockies 2-1 thanks to a go-ahead two-run double by Michael Harris II in the eighth. It is the Braves’ sixth straight win. The Phillies remain five games back of Atlanta for the NL East division lead, but with a four-game cushion in the Wild Card, as they currently hold the second NL spot.
Around Major League Baseball
Jarred Kelenic, who was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday, signed with the Yankees on a minor league contract yesterday.
Travis Sawchik of MLB.com ran down five teams who could be dark horses in the postseason if they manage to make it there.
“If any pitcher was feeling like this, we wouldn’t run him out there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Shohei Ohtani, who will not make his start tomorrow. But the Dodgers have not ruled out Ohtani pitching again this season.
As that news broke about the winner of the last two National League MVP trophies, Pete Crow-Armstrong continued to make his case for that title with a three home run performance in the Cubs’ 17-5 win over the Reds.
A data-driven pitching robot made by Trajekt is revolutionizing big league batting practice.
The Yankees beat the Red Sox 9-2, setting up a rubber game today that will determine the season series and the tiebreaker between the two clubs, who currently sit only three games apart in the standings, with the Yankees occupying the top AL Wild Card slot and Boston in the second. The bad news for the Yankees is that young shortstop George Lombard Jr. left the game early with a knee injury, but the Yankees are hopeful he can avoid the injured list.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Linus Lawrence wrote about Carson Benge’s secret sixth tool: his prowess at ABS challenges. He is the best on the team at getting calls overturned in his favor.
This Date in Mets History
Six at-bats, six runs, six hits: that was the batting line for Edgardo Alfonzo on this date in 1999 in the Mets’ 17-1 victory against…the Astros. Perhaps that portends well for today’s series finale.
