The Mets crushed the Phillies 11-3 yesterday, managing a split of the four-game series. Carlos Torres pitched well in his first start since late July, holding the Phils to just one run in 6.2 innings pitched. The Mets' offense feasted on Phillies pitching all day, with Daniel Murphy (4-for-5, two doubles), Eric Young Jr. (3-for-5, triple), Anthony Recker (1-for-2, home run, two walks), and Andrew Brown (2-for-5, home run) leading the attack.
Choose Your Recap: Amazin' Avenue Short, Long, MLB.com, ESPN New York, Daily News, Post, Star-Ledger, Newsday
The Mets start a three-game series with the Nationals tonight in Washington. The Nats are playing well of late, and are 6.5 games back of the Reds in the wild card race. Here are the pitching matchups:
Friday, August 30th: RHP Dillon Gee vs RHP Jordan Zimmermann
Saturday, August 31st: RHP Zack Wheeler vs RHP Dan Haren
Sunday, September 1st: LHP Jon Niese vs RHP Ross Ohlendorf
Mark Simon at ESPN New York presented his "Series in Metrics" post about the Mets-Phillies series.
Sandy Alderson wrote a letter to Mets season ticket holders. Most of it was unremarkable, but this line stuck out for me:
Trades and free agent signings always seem to get the most attention, but helping our current players also will be a key to improving in 2014 and beyond.
I hope that's not code for "we won't be active this offseason." David Wright hopes the Mets spend this offseason, given the money coming off the books.
Right-handed relief pitcher Vic Black is the player to be named later in the Marlon Byrd/John Buck trade. Steve Sypa introduced us to Black here at AA. Mets Minor League Blog did too. Black is excited to join the Mets:
Now I want to say thanks to all the #Mets fans for the love and support... I'm blown away and 100% excited for this next step. #Blue&Orange
— Victor Black (@Vic_Black_2) August 29, 2013
David Wright wants to return this season. Fine by me, as long as he and the organization are smart about it.
Greg Prince at Faith and Fear in Flushing had some thoughts while waiting for Daisuke Matsuzaka to throw the damn ball.
Rising Apple wants to keep Juan Lagares in center field.
Metstradamus taught some youngsters that it's always a good idea to heckle Jimmy Rollins.
Tom Seaver thinks pitchers today are babied. Of course he does.
Yesterday At AA
Alex Nelson wrote up a scouting report of newly-acquired Dilson Herrera.
Rob Castellano did a Wilmer Flores prospect retrospective.
I shared some things I would rather do than watch Dice-K pitch.
Around the NL East
The Nationals crushed the Marlins 9-0, thanks to some great pitching from Gio Gonzalez and home runs from Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, and Ian Desmond.
The Braves beat the Indians 3-1, behind seven strong innings from Kris Medlen.
Braves fans faced Craig Kimbrel in a staring contest at the MLB Fan Cave.
Via Cespedes Family BBQ, Jose Fernandez of the Marlins demonstrated the proper way to celebrate a Giancarlo Stanton home run (loud music alert).
This Marlins GIF made me laugh out loud.
The Braves have the division in the bag, but here are the current NL East standings anyway (via ESPN.com, click to embiggen):
Around the Majors
Grant Brisbee at Baseball Nation looked at the ridiculous history of Yankees second baseman.
Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness thinks the Dodgers' acquisition of Ricky Nolasco might be the trade of the year.
Joe Posnanski kicked off what I expect to be an annual debate for the next few seasons: Mike Trout vs Miguel Cabrera.
Speaking of Cabrera, he left yesterday's Tigers-Athletics game with an injury but intends to play today.
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