The Mets kept the power flowing and used three home runs to beat the Rangers, clinch the series, and keep the door open for a sweep this afternoon. Juan Soto, Marcus Semien, and Brett Baty all went deep, while Nolan McLean gave New York seven solid innings on the mound. The finale now shifts to this afternoon, with Zac Thornton set to start.
New York’s strong finish comes as the club reportedly gets close to adding Derek Falvey, the former Twins president of baseball operations, to its front office. The move would give the Mets another key piece as they look to bounce back from a down year.
Along with the hiring of Andy Green, David Stearns appears to be reshaping the operation after the mistakes of this season. Green’s background, both as a manager and as a player who has dealt with struggle, has been framed as a fit for handling managerial duties and helping the club move past this year.
Around the National League East, the Braves edged the Reds 3-2 with a walk-off in the tenth inning. The Marlins kept spoiling things for the Cubs, denying them a chance to clinch a playoff spot for the second straight day. Aaron Nola had a rough outing in the Phillies’ 4-1 loss to the Brewers, and the Nationals beat the Tigers 4-2 to take the series.
Elsewhere around Major League Baseball, Aaron Judge said he expects to be ready for the Wild Card series as he works back from a calf strain. Max Scherzer is expected to decide on his future in the coming days after allowing four runs in the 500th appearance of his career.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also drew attention for comments about his contract and his uneven season, and he stood by what he said. The White Sox fell 5-4 to the Royals and missed a chance to move into a tie for first place in the AL Central with the Guardians.
With the end of the 2026 season approaching, the question now being raised is how the front offices of all 30 teams stack up.
On the latest episode of A Pod of Their Own, the discussion centered on Pete Alonso’s return, Howie Rose’s retirement, and Andy Green’s extension.
In Other News...
Pete Alonso Just Gave Mets Fans A New Reason To Boil
Pete Alonsos return to Citi Field as a Baltimore Oriole felt like more than a routine reunion, even before the first pitch. Mets fans greeted him with significant cheers, a reminder of how much of a footprint he left in Queens and how quickly old feelings can surface when a familiar face comes back in a different uniform.
Alonso did little to quiet the conversation during the series, openly stressing how strong his connection to Baltimore feels and saying he believes he was always meant to be an Oriole. For a fan base that still tracks every move he makes, the mix of warm reception and pointed remarks only added another layer to a return already laced with emotion, and the reactions around it are likely to keep following him well beyond this trip. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Keep Building Momentum With Another Spoiler Win In Texas
The Mets kept the trip to Texas rolling with another convincing finish, beating the Rangers 7-2 at Globe Life Field to lock up the series. Nolan McLean was once again in command, earning his 12th win by working through the Rangers lineup with ease and retiring them in order in every inning he pitched except one.
New Yorks offense did its damage the direct way, with all seven runs coming on three home runs. Juan Soto, Marcus Semien and Brett Baty each went deep, giving the Mets the kind of power-backed win that has made them a tougher out down the stretch and a more annoying spoiler for anyone trying to protect home field. [Read more 🡒]
Brett Baty Just Put A Tough Mets Decision Back In Play
Brett Baty gave the Mets another reason to keep paying attention to him Sunday, and he did it in a spot that only sharpened the conversation around his place on the roster. His pinch-hit grand slam in the Mets 7-2 win over the Texas Rangers was the longest home run by a Met this season, a reminder of the kind of impact he can bring when hes locked in.
The bigger question is what comes next, because Batys recent run has changed the tone around him. Since June 30, he has hit .282 with an .850 OPS over 58 games, and manager Andy Green has already pointed to the importance of the young infielder backing up that progress with consistency. For a Mets team trying to sort out its mix, Batys surge has turned an earlier concern into a decision that now feels very much back on the table. [Read more 🡒]