The Mets are back home Thursday night with a chance to make life a little harder for a division rival. After three games of fans giving Pete Alonso a warm reception while he was in an Orioles uniform, Citi Field shifts back into full-on Mets mode when Philadelphia arrives for the opener of a three-game set at 7:10 p.m.
The Phillies come in at 84-68, sitting a half game behind the race for the top wild card spot and one game ahead of the Padres, who hold the final wild card position. For the Mets, now 69-83, the picture is much different. They’re last in the division and riding a four-game losing streak, with the chance to spoil Philadelphia’s push toward a home playoff series one of the few things left on the table.
On the mound, Nolan McLean gets the ball for New York as he tries to bounce back from a rough outing against the Yankees. In that start, he allowed five earned runs on a career-high 10 hits over five innings, a setback that dented his NL Rookie of the Year case. McLean enters his 30th start at 11-9 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 184 strikeouts across 166⅔ innings.
Aaron Nola will start for Philadelphia. The veteran right-hander is 6-10 with a 4.69 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in his 31st start, though he has been rolling since August. Over his last eight starts, Nola has gone 3-1 with a 2.47 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
In Other News...
Mets May Have One Clear Answer To Their Infield Balance Problem
The Mets offseason infield puzzle has already started to take shape around two familiar questions: how much help they need, and where that help should come from. Bo Bichettes status is part of the backdrop, but the more intriguing name in the conversation may be Coby Mayo of the Orioles, a player whose bat and defensive profile have made him an increasingly interesting fit as the Mets try to sort out their alignment on the left side of the infield.
What makes Mayo stand out in this discussion is how he stacks up against Mark Vientos, both in production and in the kinds of questions each brings defensively. If Baltimore does make him available, the Mets could have options to build a deal around pitching prospects or infield depth, which gives this more layers than a simple talent-for-talent swap. For a front office trying to balance present needs with future flexibility, the appeal is obvious, even if the exact path to getting there is still far from settled. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Just Got The Kind Of Win Fans Needed Against Philly
The Mets got the kind of much-needed night at home they had been searching for, jumping on the Phillies early and then doing enough on the mound to protect the lead in a 6-3 win. Zac Thornton gave them a steady start, working six innings and allowing two runs, while the offense built a cushion that let New York play from ahead for most of the game.
Juan Sotos three-run home run gave Philadelphia a real jolt, but the Mets answered with enough scoring plays and pitching changes to keep the game on their terms. It was the sort of win that does more than add one in the standings, because against a division opponent like Philly, especially in a game with some back-and-forth tension, New York needed to show it could absorb a punch and still finish the job. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Face A Tough Bullpen Decision With Tobias Myers
The Mets bullpen picture is still taking shape, and the competition between Jonathan Pintaro and Tobias Myers has become one of the more interesting roster questions heading into the next round of decisions. Myers has flashed enough early to keep himself in the conversation, while Pintaro has quietly put together a steadier run in relief, giving the club two different looks for the same multi-inning job.
What makes the choice tricky is the roster math behind it. Myers is in line for a non-tender decision because his minor league options are used up, while Pintaro still has a minor league option available for 2027. For a bullpen that values flexibility, that kind of edge matters, and it leaves the Mets weighing upside against practicality as they shape the staff. [Read more 🡒]