The Mets lost in extra innings last night, as Jeremy Hefner had a great start but was removed after having thrown just 78 pitches in seven innings. If there's one thing we know about tonight's game, it's that Bobby Parnell will be available!
Speaking of Parnell, Eno Sarris spoke to him about what he's thinking on the mound and how he tries to attack hitters now compared to a couple of years ago.
Gary Cohen called the Pirates' television broadcast booth bush league for encouraging fans to boo David Wright for his original choice not to include Pedro Alvarez in the Home Run Derby. There's no link here, but good for Cohen. You won't hear broadcasters criticize one another often, and his remarks were warranted.
Matt Harvey won't start the first game after the All-Star break, which doesn't come as a big surprise as the team seems to be using the break to help limit his innings without shutting him down before the year ends.
Mets catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud is still working out but is not yet playing in games. At this point, seeing him in the big leagues anytime this year would be a pleasant surprise.
Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet includes a few Mets farmhands: Wilmer Flores, Noah Syndergaard, and Darrell Ceciliani. Toby Hyde pointed out on Twitter that Flores has been playing some first base lately, including in the second game of a doubleheader last night.
Greg Prince writes about experiencing some of the extracurricular All-Star Game activities around the city.
Yesterday at AA
We took a page out of Jon Bois's book and had our inaugural Amazin' Avenue Mets GIF of the week vote. The poll closes on Sunday at 11:00 pm, so it's not quite over yet, folks.
Brock Mahan has your Mets history covered, too.
Around the NL East
The Marlins blew out the Nationals and beat up Stephen Strasburg in the process. Federal Baseball took it well.
The Braves lost to Bronson Arroyo and the Reds, and their entire outfield is banged up. Talking Chop is on it.
And last but certainly also least, the Phillies were rained out. Oh well.
Around MLB
The Red Sox traded an outfield prospect for a relief pitcher, sending Brandon Jacobs to the White Sox for Matt Thornton.
Tired of the Biogensis story? Scott Boras is, too, and thinks MLB might have violated the CBA with its leaks.
Bleed Cubbie Blue tries its best to find a taker for Matt Garza.
Beyond the Box Score takes a look at what happens when a pitcher faces the same team in back-to-back starts. They also remind everyone that non-contending teams should trade their relief pitchers.
If you're a fan of Yasiel Puig, the Internet had you covered yesterday. Chad Moriyama, Ted Berg, and Will Leitch all wrote about the Puig backlash.
Ted Berg also wonders why steroids are so bad in the first place.