Your Sunday morning dose of Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
The Mets beat the Cubs again last night, jumping out to an early lead and eventually leading by six before things got a little dicey. Jon Niese wound up giving up three runs in six-plus innings but left the bases loaded with nobody out in the seventh for Vic Black, who quickly cleaned up the mess without allowing a run to score. With that, the Mets sit six games back of the second Wild Card spot in the National League despite a 59-65 record on the season. They trail Marlins, who are three-and-a-half games out, by two-and-a-half games.
Choose your recap: Amazin' Avenue short, long, New York Times, ESPN New York, Star-Ledger, The Record, New York Daily News, New York Post, Newsday
Rafael Montero gets the start today for the Mets, though it sounds like he could be bound for Vegas soon. The 23-year-old struggled in first start back in the big leagues last week.
The downside of last night's victory was that David Wright was hit in his left shoulder—the same one that bothered him earlier this year and might have still been bothering him lately—and will probably miss today's game, at least.
Vic Black has been so good with runners on base that Terry Collins says—presumably half-jokingly—that he'd consider bringing Black in only when runners are on.
Daisuke Matsuzaka will likely get another minor league start before he's ready to be activated from the disabled list, presumably as a relief pitcher.
Speaking of injured Mets pitchers, Jacob deGrom is feeling pretty, pretty good after throwing from flat ground yesterday. He's set to throw a bullpen today and could be back right when his disabled list stint is over.
The Mets are understandably concerned about Travis d'Arnaud getting banged up behind home plate. He seems to have been a magnet for foul tips and backswings lately.
John Harper thinks the Mets and Cubs match up perfectly for a TRAID. One of the Mets' trade targets could be youngster Javier Baez, who has the MLB logo tattooed on the back of his neck and is trying to adjust to the big leagues now.
B-Mets beat writer Lynn Worthy writes up starting pitcher Tyler Pill.
Wilmer Flores could still be a good player in the Mets' eyes. Can he actually stick at shortstop?
Read more about SNY's Kidcaster here.
Mike Lupica has a hot take on Matt Harvey.
Around the National Least East
The Braves, who have been playing terribly lately, beat the A's for the second straight night.
The Nationals won on a walk-off. That sounds familiar.
The Phillies lost to the Giants yesterday. But don't worry, Phillies fans, the team might bring back Grady Sizemore for next season!
The Marlins beat the lowly Diamondbacks last night. Miami activated Henderson Alvarez from the disabled list, which can only help them down the stretch.
Fish Stripes takes a look at what the Boston Red Sox might be able to offer up in a trade for Giancarlo Stanton. If such a deal were ever to happen, they might have to install a net over the Mass Pike beyond the Green Monster.
Around Major League Baseball
A couple of contending teams sure sound like they could use a starting pitcher right now. If only there were a team with starting pitchers to spare.
The Rockies-Reds game was postponed last night in Denver by a water main break.
Pitchers haven't been getting suspended for hitting batters intentionally.
Commissioner-to-be Rob Manfred will face some challenges in his new job, of course. The Times covers the "the game is too damn long" thing.
Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue
Joe Sokolowski rounded up last week's best and worst quotes by and about the Mets.
Eric Slater looks back at the shortstops who played for the Mets in the playoffs.