Your Tuesday morning dose of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Since their last game at Citi Field, the Mets have gone from Atlanta to Milwaukee to Atlanta to Milwaukee to Philadelphia. They finally return home today as they host Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies.
The Mets fought hard to get back to Citi Field, and their fans will appropriately give them a hero’s welcome in their first game back since September 22.
The Mets are still having fun as this never-ending road trip finally draws to a close.
Keith Hernandez will throw out the first pitch ahead of Game 3, with Daniel Murphy doing the honors before Game 4.
The Mets are hosting a pre-game Block Party outside Citi Field, starting at 1:00 p.m.
Scouts identified some of Edwin Díaz’s recent issues, but Carlos Mendoza will continue to trust his ‘guy’.
Jeff McNeil was spotted taking hacks in the batting cage at Citi Field. It’s possible he will be available for the NLCS should the Mets make it that far.
The team’s pitching plan for Game 3 starts with Sean Manaea, and they’ll figure it out from there.
Meanwhile, Kodai Senga feels good and will probably pitch Game 5 if this series gets that far. Meanwhile, José Quintana will start Game 4.
Francisco Lindor is a Hank Aaron Award finalist.
Anthony DiComo took to a Reddit AMA to talk McNeil’s status, Mets’ momentum, and more.
Willie Mays’ son, Michael Mays, will be on hand to cheer on the Mets tonight.
Around the National League East
Bryce Harper says he loves playing at Citi Field despite his less-than-stellar numbers at the hostile ballpark.
Andrew Painter, the top pitcher in Philadelphia’s farm system and No. 32 prospect in MLB, will head to the Arizona Fall League.
Around Major League Baseball
The Tigers evened up their series with the Guardians following a 3-0 victory in Game 2. Tarik Skubal hurled seven stellar shutout frames for Detroit, and Kerry Carpenter hit a dramatic three-run home run with two outs in the ninth against star closer Emmanuel Clase.
The Royals, meanwhile, knotted up their series with the Yankees at one apiece thanks to a four-run inning that propelled them to a 4-2 victory in the Bronx.
The Royals are excited to return home to an electric atmosphere after stealing Game 2 on the road.
Carlos Rodón faltered after a great start to Game 2. The Yankees, however, remain confident after the loss, believing that Kansas City ‘got lucky’.
The Yankees have also this far to this point thanks to Luke Weaver, the King of Quirk.
For the first time ever, all four Division Series are tied going into Game 3.
Freddie Freeman hopes to be ready to play for the Dodgers in Game 3.
Dave Roberts openly questioned whether Manny Machado intended to throw that ball into the Dodgers’ dugout in Game 2.
One thing is clear: The rivalry between the Dodgers and the Padres is real, and both sides agree.
In the loss, Steven Kwan made a spectacular catch in the top of the eighth for Cleveland.
You can vote now for the 2024 Hank Aaron Award nominees.
Terry Francona said going to the Reds ‘just felt right’.
Matt Reynolds announced his retirement from baseball.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Chris McShane checked in on the pitching matchups for the remainder of the NLDS.
This Date in Mets History
Bobby J. Jones threw his improbable one-hitter to stun the Giants (and Mets fans alike) to send New York to the NLCS on this date in 2000.