Category: MLB

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Rangers play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Friday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

5 things to watch

Jacob deGrom's return

For the first time since leaving via free agency after the 2022 season, deGrom will face the Mets.

The 37-year-old, who had Tommy John surgery during the 2023 campaign, has been terrific this year -- but he's not quite at the same heights he was at in New York.

In 27 starts over 155.2 innings this season, deGrom has a 2.78 ERA (3.54 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with 169 strikeouts (a rate of 9.8 per nine).

Before leaving via free agency, deGrom was coming off a pair of injury-riddled seasons, and the Mets seemingly didn't make much of an effort to bring him back. That decision felt prudent when deGrom threw just 41.0 innings combined during his first two years in Texas.

During his time in New York, deGrom wasn't just the best pitcher in baseball. He was an almost unbelievable force. From 2018 to 2021, he went on a run of excellence that was almost impossible to believe. In 91 starts over 581.0 innings, deGrom had a 1.94 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while striking out 774 batters. He won a pair of Cy Youngs (in 2018 and 2019) and was coasting toward a third in 2021 (1.08 ERA in his first 92.0 innings) before injuries derailed his year.

Where is the offense?

During their six-game losing streak, the Mets have scored just 15 runs -- an average of 2.5 per game.

As they were swept out of Philadelphia on Thursday, the Mets plated four runs in the first inning and then proceeded to do literally nothing for the rest of the game.

In the process, the Mets became the first team in the modern era to score four or more runs in the first inning, have no one reach base for the remainder of the game, and lose.

The only consistent presence in the lineup during this skid has been Juan Soto, who has remained hot. Otherwise, it's been lots of weak contact and strikeouts. 

It's all on the kids in the rotation

One of the main culprits of the Mets' swoon since June has been inconsistent starting pitching.

Specifically, their veteran starters have been largely ineffective in terms of both run prevention and the ability to provide length.

A breath of fresh air has been provided by rookies Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat, and it's those three youngsters who will be leaned on to help the Mets rise from the doldrums against Texas.

Tong gets the start on Friday, followed by Sproat on Saturday and McLean on Sunday.

McLean has been especially impressive since making his debut, with a 1.42 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 31.2 innings. 

The out of town scoreboard

When the Mets won the first game of their series against the Reds last weekend, it seemed that they were on their way to coasting to the playoffs.

But their six-game skid has made things murky.

Entering play on Friday, the Mets are just 1.5 games up on the Giants and Reds for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League.

The Mets hold the tiebreaker over the Giants, but it's the Reds who hold the tiebreaker over the Mets.

As New York battles Texas, Cincinnati faces the Athletics in Sacramento, while San Francisco hosts the Dodgers.

Rangers are hot amid late playoff push

While they're on the outside looking in when it comes to the AL West and the Wild Card race, the Rangers are making things interesting. 

By going 7-3 over their last 10 games and reeling off four straight wins, the Rangers are in position to pounce.

They trail both the Mariners and Astros by 2.0 games for the division lead.

In the Wild Card chase, the Rangers are 2.0 games back of the third and final spot.

The Rangers are undermanned offensively right now, though, without Corey Seager (appendectomy) and Marcus Semien (foot).

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Francisco Lindor

Lindor, like most of his teammates, has been in a cold snap. But he has a knack for stepping up in big spots. 

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Nolan McLean

It's McLean until proven otherwise. His stuff and mettle have been a sight to see. 

Which Rangers player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Jake Burger

Burger is having a solid season and blasted two homers against the Brewers on Wednesday.

Why Red Sox should do whatever it takes to keep Alex Bregman in Boston originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

For the first time since 2021, the Boston Red Sox are playing meaningful baseball past Labor Day. And Alex Bregman’s role in that development can’t be overstated.

The on-field stats are impressive enough. At 31 years old, Bregman is enjoying his best season since 2019, with a .279 batting average, 16 home runs and 57 RBI through 101 games. He leads all Red Sox regulars (minimum 90 games played) in on-base percentage (.362) and OPS (.862) while playing a Gold Glove-caliber third base.

But Bregman might be making a bigger impact off the field, where he’s served as an instrumental veteran leader for a young team that traded away its best player (Rafael Devers) in June and has thrust several recently-promoted prospects into key roles.

Not only has the two-time World Series champion served as a de facto hitting coach for younger players in the clubhouse, he’s also been feeding a steady stream of intel to Red Sox pitchers, which The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey highlighted in an excellent story Thursday.

“Bregman has a habit, according to teammates, of reaching out at all hours with some idea or tidbit geared toward Sox excellence,” Healey wrote. “Whereas almost all hitters are content to remain in their realm, Bregman finds time to — and takes pride in — pitching in with the pitchers.

“He studies opposing teams’ lineups to offer game-planning tips, converses one-on-one with hurlers about their repertoire and a hitter’s perspective on to maximize it, and serves as a ringleader encouraging hitter/pitcher cross-communication that, around the sport, is not common.”

That’s all to say chief baseball officer Craig Breslow deserves his flowers for signing Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract this offseason. But Breslow’s work with Bregman isn’t done.

Bregman’s contract includes opt-outs after each season, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported last week that the veteran third baseman is likely to opt out this winter to seek a more lucrative deal in free agency. While the Red Sox could prevent that scenario by agreeing to an extension with Bregman before the season ends, his agent, Scott Boras, shot down that idea this week.

“We’re at the point now where you wait until the offseason and see what transpires,” Boras told Audacy’s Rob Bradford. “Obviously, I think he’s very open about it. He has enjoyed it there. The team has more defined promise than it did a year ago. With free agency, you have to see how things go.”

Boras and Bregman will have plenty of leverage. According to Passan, Bregman likely will seek “the five-year-plus deal at an average annual value of $35 million-plus that eluded him last winter.” And the league’s big spenders — the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies — could be willing to open up their checkbooks after Bregman’s strong 2025 campaign.

So, should the Red Sox, who haven’t acted like a big-market team since Dave Dombrowski’s departure six years ago, really enter a bidding war for a third baseman who will turn 32 next March?

The short answer is yes.

Boston does have some leverage in that Bregman seems to be enjoying his experience at Fenway. The 10-year veteran recently told USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale that the 2025 Red Sox remind him of his “earlier years in Houston” — when the Astros were building a multi-time World Series champion — and added, “It’s a lot of fun to be in this environment.”

Even if Boras is hell-bent on taking the highest bid, however, the Red Sox still should be willing to pony up.

From young superstar Roman Anthony to recently-promoted hurlers Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, the Sox have a serious collection of young talent. And if Trevor Story doesn’t opt out of his contract this offseason, they’ll return essentially every core member of this year’s roster in 2026.

In short, these Red Sox are worth investing in — even if that means “overpaying” for the veteran leader who eventually could put them over the top.

With 15 games remaining in the regular season, the Mets are looking to hold off a handful of teams for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of play on Sept. 12.

Mets: 76-71, 1.5 games up on Giants and Reds for third Wild Card

Next up: vs. Rangers, Friday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY (Jonah Tong vs. Jacob deGrom)
Latest result: 6-4 loss to Phillies on Thursday
Remaining schedule: 3 vs. TEX, 3 vs. SD, 3 vs. WSH, 3 @ CHC, 3 @ MIA
Odds to make playoffs: 77.9 percent
*Mets hold tiebreaker over Giants by virtue of winning the season series, while Reds hold tiebreaker over Mets

Reds: 74-72, 1.5 games back of Mets

Next up: @ Athletics, Friday at 10:05 p.m. (Brady Singer vs. J.T. Ginn)
Latest result: 2-1 win over Padres on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 @ ATH, 3 @ STL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. PIT, 3 @ MIL
Odds to make playoffs: 12.6 percent

Giants: 74-72, 1.5 games back of Mets 

Next up: vs. Dodgers, Friday at 10:15 p.m. (Justin Verlander vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto)
Latest result: 5-3 loss to D-backs on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 vs. LAD, 3 @ ARI, 4 @ LAD, 3 vs. STL, 3 vs. COL
Odds to make playoffs: 8.2 percent

Diamondbacks: 73-74, 3.0 games back of Mets

Next up: @ Twins, Friday at 8:10 p.m. (Brandon Pfaadt vs. Pablo Lopez)
Latest result: 5-3 win over Giants on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 @ MIN, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. PHI, 3 vs. LAD, 3 @ SD
Odds to make playoffs: 1.9 percent

Cardinals: 72-75, 4.0 games back of Mets

Next up: @ Brewers, Friday at 8:10 p.m. (Andre Pallante vs. Quinn Priester)
Latest result: 4-2 loss to Mariners on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 @ MIL, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. MIL, 3 @ SF, 3 @ CHC
Odds to make playoffs: 0.8 percent

Giants announce historic matchup vs. Mexican League team before 2026 MLB season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants announced an exciting new exhibition matchup that will take place just before the start of the 2026 MLB season.

San Francisco will host the Sultanes de Monterrey, a Mexican League baseball team, for two games on Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24 at Oracle Park. The Giants, as part of their ongoing commitment to celebrate and uplift the Latino community, per a press release from the team, also will debut a new Gigantes uniform during the series.

“We are honored to welcome the Sultanes de Monterrey to Oracle Park,” Giants chief marketing officer Rachel Heit said. “Baseball connects cultures and communities, and this series embodies the importance of honoring our diverse fanbase and the Latino community in San Francisco and beyond.

“Together with the Sultanes, we look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for fans of both teams.”

In addition to the games, festivities at Oracle Park will include the following:

• Promotional Giveaway: Willy Adames T-shirt, presented by Coors Light. First 15,000 fans.
• Performances in Willie Mays Plaza: Mariachi SF and La Explosiva Sonora MX
• Pregame Performances: Ballet Folklórico Netzahualcoyotl and Mexican dance group from the Bay Area
• Opening Remarks: Mayor of San Francisco Daniel Lurie
• Jersey Exchange: President and CEO of the Giants Larry Baer, Embajador Gigantes and Forever Giant Sergio Romo and Sultanes owners Francisco González Albuerne and José Maiz Domene
• Home Plate Ceremony: Recognition of the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award nominee
• Honorary Captains: Mayor of San Francisco Daniel Lurie and Consul General of Mexico in San Francisco Marco Mena
• National Anthem: Laura Bravo, Lima-born, Bay Area–based singer and vocal coach
• Honorary First Pitch: Embajador Gigantes and Forever Giant Sergio Romo, accompanied to the mound by Sultanes owners Francisco González Albuerne and José Maiz Domene
• Community Spotlight: Honoring organizations supporting the Latino community
• Food & Beverage Specials: Michelada Souvenir Cup, Chorizo “Fiesta” Nachos and Elote Fries
• In-Game DJ: DJ Baysik, Bay Area-based DJ
• 7th Inning Stretch: Edú Bega, Bay area-based Dominican singer, songwriter and producer

Former Giants pitcher Sergio Romo, who currently is an analyst on NBC Sports Bay Area’s Giants pregame and postgame coverage, explained the significance of this series for him.

“As a Mexican American, this series is especially meaningful to me,” Romo said. “The Giants and Sultanes sharing the field at Oracle Park will showcase the unifying power of baseball and shine a spotlight on the passion our communities share for the sport.”

The Sultanes de Monterrey are equally as excited.

“We are thrilled to play the Giants and for our fans to enjoy the game at the highest level,” Sultanes de Monterrey co-president Ing. Francisco González Albuerne said. “Baseball is a sport that unites families and communities, and the Sultanes are committed to sharing beyond borders that baseball is much more than a game, it’s a lifestyle full of passion and hope.”

“For Sultanes de Monterrey, it is an honor to face the San Francisco Giants — a privilege we embrace with great enthusiasm and commitment,” co-president of Sultanes de Monterrey Pepe Maiz added. “This game is an opportunity to share with their fans the passion and tradition of Mexican baseball, which we have proudly represented for decades.

“I am confident it will be a historic occasion that brings our communities together and leaves a lasting memory for both clubs.”

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Thursday saw a brutal loss by the Mets that capped off a brutal series.

Already in the midst of a five-game losing streak and dropping the first three games of their series to the Phillies, the Mets blew an early 4-0 lead and were ultimately swept by their division rivals. After putting up four first-inning runs on Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo, the southpaw shut down the offense over the next seven innings. Jhoan Duran struck out the side in the ninth to lock down the 6-4 win with Phillies pitchers retiring 25 straight batters.

"Whether you’re up four, down four, at the end of the day, you didn’t get the job done," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of the loss. "Frustrating, but nothing we can do about it now. We have to get back at it tomorrow, go back home and win some baseball games."

The Mets (76-71) are now losers of six straight games and hold a slim 1.5-game lead over the idle Giants and Reds for the final wild card spot. It wasn't too long ago that the Mets' spot in the postseason was inevitable, but going 5-10 over their last 15 games has hurt their chances of holding on. 

When Mendoza was asked if he's worried about their wild card spot, the second-year skipper said he's not, but acknowledged there aren't a lot of games remaining. 

"Teams are right behind us," he said. "The way you look at it is, we’re still in control of the situation, we’re still in control of the ultimate goal. We just have to go out and do it."

"Gotta play better. Simple as that," David Peterson said after his start on Thursday. "We’ve seen what this group can do. We got 15 [games] left, we have to take care of business. Past is the past, and we have to let it go and play better. It's as simple as that."

Peterson was solid, giving the Mets five innings while allowing three runs before the bullpen -- led by Reed Garrett -- gave up the lead in a three-run sixth. A part of that bullpen implosion was the misplay of Jeff McNeil in center field that led to the go-ahead run. The longtime Met didn't show concern about the team's standing in the playoff picture when asked after the game because of his teammates.

"Got a bunch of great guys in here. We’ve been through a lot this year. Right now, we’re still in a playoff spot," he said. "Could be worse. We’re going to come tomorrow, tough game tomorrow, and be ready."

After a 10-game road trip, where the Mets went 3-7, the team returns home for nine games.  The Mets are 45-27 at home this season, the fourth-most in the NL this year, so perhaps going back to Citi Field could cure what ails them. 

Mendoza said it's "always nice to go home," but repeated that it comes down to the Mets playing better and winning games. When asked how the Mets can "reset," he put the inenviable task on himself.

"I’m responsible. I’m the manager, it’s my job to get these guys going and I will," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in myself, my coaches and the players. It’s not easy right now. We are all frustrated, but we still got an opportunity here to achieve our goal."

He later added, "As bad as it looks right now, as bad as it’s been, we’re still in control. But we got to play better, that’s the bottom line."

Carlos Mendoza was asked if there's anything he could do to reset the Mets:

"I'm responsible. I'm the manager. It's my job to get these guys going and I will" pic.twitter.com/uk8XGuKTPD

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 12, 2025

Aaron Judge smacked two home runs and the Yankees knocked around the visiting Detroit Tigers for 14 hits in a 9-3 win Thursday night in The Bronx.

The Yanks avoided the sweep and kept their hopes of winning the American League East alive as they improved to 81-65 on the season (44-31 at home) and are now 3.0 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays, who won earlier in the day to improve to 84-62.

Here are the takeaways...

- Judge put the Yanks ahead in the bottom of the first, crushing a 3-2 pitch into the visitor’s bullpen for a solo home run when a Tyler Holton cutter found the middle of the plate and it got smoked: 413 feet, 110.1 mph off the bat.

In his very next at-bat, Judge launched his second homer of the game to nearly the exact same spot, this time belting it 21 feet further, for a 434-foot solo shot to lead off the third. This one, off righty Sawyer Gipson-Long, was 114.9 mph off the bat and was the slugger’s 361st career home run, leveling him with Joe DiMaggio for fourth on the all-time Yankees home run list. He now has 46 home runs and 100 RBI for the season.

His hardest-hit ball (115.6 mph) came on a single up the middle to start the sixth. He finished 3-for-4 with a hit by pitch, but struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch to leave the bases loaded to end the seventh. 

- Yanks’ starter Cam Schlittler retired the first four batters with three strikeouts before allowing back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners with one out in the second. Schlittler jammed Dillon Dingler on the 11th pitch of the at-bat but was able to muscle it into right to level the score. After an early mound visit from Matt Blake, a strikeout and groundout got the righty out of the jam.

Again pitching with a lead, Schlittler allowed a leadoff double in the third, but a lineout doubleplay set up six straight retired to get the next seven outs. That came to an end with Parker Meadows’ single to right with one down in the fifth. After back-to-back two-out walks, the Tigers had the bases loaded, and Blake was out for another visit. But on a fifth straight fastball, Schlittler got Riley Greene swinging at a 98 mph heater at the top of the zone to leave ‘em full.

A quick sixth finished the day for the 24-year-old, his final line: 6.0 innings, one run, five hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts on 95 pitches (62 strikes). His ERA stands at 3.05 on the year. Schlittler tossed first-pitch strikes to 17 of 24 batters he faced.

- With one out in the third, Giancarlo Stanton got a 3-2 hanging breaking pitch and smacked it 429 feet into left field stands (108.9 mph off the bat). It was his 20th home run of the year, giving the Yanks seven players with 20 or more on the season, which ties a franchise record. Stanton now has 449 in his big league career. He finished 1-for-5 with three strikeouts and bounced into a 5-4-3 twin killing.

- Jazz Chisholm opened the home half of the second inning by cracking a two-strike single to right before stealing second with one out, his 28th steal of the season. Chisholm came around to score on Ben Rice’s double to the right field corner for his 55th RBI of the year.

Jose Caballero, playing short for the second straight game as Anthony Volpe had a cortisone shot on Wednesday, kept the line moving with an RBI single to left and immediately stole second for his 44th steal of the year, but was left stranded there.

- Rice cracked another double down the right field line to start the fourth and was moved to third on a single slapped into right by Caballero, who then stole second with one out. Austin Slater, batting leadoff and starting for the first time since August 4, was hitless his first two times up, but cracked a single against a drawn-in infield for an RBI. After Judge was hit on the elbow pad to load the bases, the Tigers brought in Bailey Horn, who promptly allowed an RBI single to Cody Bellinger. With two down, Chisholm muscled a broken-bat two RBI single to right to make it a 9-1 game. 

Chisholm finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a walk. Rice went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk.

- Ryan Yarbrough was the first man out of the bullpen and surrendered a homer to Dingler down the line in left on the third pitch he threw. He allowed a two-out walk in the seventh and a two-out walk and single in the eighth, but no further damage. Javier Báez drove a triple off the wall in center with one out in the ninth before scoring on a groundout before the Tigers' 27th out. But Yarbrough's three innings of work were enough to earn him the save. 

Game MVP: Judge

Judge entered the game batting .319, the lowest his average had been since he started 1-for-4 on Opening Day. He fixed that with his three hits, bringing it back up to .322, and raising his OPS to 1.112 for the year.

Highlights

Aaron Judge launches his 45th homer of the season to get the Yankees on the board first! pic.twitter.com/tO2KozW75O

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) September 11, 2025

RBI double for Ben Rice gives the Yankees the lead back 🍚 pic.twitter.com/EX8neWowv5

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) September 11, 2025

AARON JUDGE DOES IT AGAIN!

Judge is now tied with Joe DiMaggio for the 4th-most home runs in Yankees history (361) 🚀

pic.twitter.com/OBdFWt2yNL

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) September 12, 2025

Giancarlo Stanton blasts a solo shot to extend the Yankees lead! pic.twitter.com/0QVL4tgz3p

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) September 12, 2025

What's next

New York, with a half-game lead over the Red Sox for the top Wild Card spot, heads to Boston for a three-game set at Fenway Park, starting with Friday night's 7:10 p.m. first pitch.

New York has yet to name starting pitchers for the series. Boston is sending out right-hander Lucas Giolito for the first game, with RHP Brayan Bello and LHP Garrett Crochet following.

The Mets got off to a roaring start, but the bats fell asleep and the bullpen gave up the lead in New York's 6-4 loss to the Phillies in Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Philadelphia completed the four-game sweep and the Mets have now lost six games in a row. With the loss and the Giants and Reds idle, the Mets' lead for the final wild card spot is now at 1.5 games.

Here are the takeaways...

-The Mets' offense has struggled mightily during this losing streak, but broke out early in this one. Back-to-back singles from Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, to go along with a double steal, gave the team an early scoring chance. Pete Alonso struck out looking before Mark Vientos stung an RBI single to right field. Brandon Nimmo followed with a single to drive in the game's second run. Starling Marte then crushed a double off the top of the left field wall to give the Mets a 4-0 lead.

But that's all the offense would get on Jesus Luzardo, who retired 22 straight batters, not allowing a baserunner since that four-inning first. It's the first time a Phillies pitcher has allowed four runs in the first inning and gone eight innings since Steve Carlton in 1977. 

Luzardo allowed four runs across eight innings (97 pitches/68 strikes), on five hits, no walks and 10 strikeouts.

-Down just two runs in the ninth against closer Jhoan Duran, Soto (strikeout), Alonso (strikeout), and Vientos (strikeout) were retired in order to end the game with 25 straight Mets batters retired.

-David Peterson worked in and out of trouble early on, allowing the leadoff hitter in the first two innings to reach, including two who reached scoring position, but the young lefty pitched out of it. In the fourth, Otto Kemp jumped all over a first-pitch hanging slider for a two-run shot to get the Phillies back in the game. It's the second homer Kemp has hit in this series. An RBI double from Bryce Harper in the fifth cut the Mets' lead to 4-3, but Peterson would get through five innings.

Peterson's final line: five innings pitched (86 pitches/61 strikes), three earned runs on seven hits, one walk, while striking out eight batters.

-Reed Garrett was the first arm out of the 'pen, and allowed back-to-back doubles to lead off the sixth and tie the game at 4-4. Jeff McNeil, starting at center, misjudged the Kemp liner that allowed Nick Castellanos to score. After getting two batters out, with a walk sandwiched in between, Harrison Bader singled to give the Phillies the lead.

Brooks Raley came in to try and get the final out of the sixth, but a walk to Kyle Schwarber and a Harper single put a cap on the three-run inning before J.T. Realmuto flew out to put an end to the frame.

Tyler Rogers and Edwin Diaz pitched a perfect inning each. 

-Bader went 2-for-5 with an RBI and is now 19-for-36 in nine games against his former team.

Game MVP: Jesus Luzardo

Although he struggled early, the southpaw shut down the Mets' offense and allowed the Phillies to come back.

Highlights

Mark Vientos gets the Mets on the board first!

(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/35XStN79rc

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 11, 2025

Brandon Nimmo drives in Juan Soto to make it 2-0!

(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/Lst5NcExUJ

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 11, 2025

A 2-run double for Starling Marte makes it 4-0 in the first!

(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/U0VZnuMYn7

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 11, 2025

What's next

The Mets return home for a three-game set with the Rangers starting Friday. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

Jonah Tong (1-1, 4.09 ERA) will make his third MLB start and will be going up against former Mets great Jacob deGrom (11-7, 2.78 ERA).

Phillies, Luzardo overcome early deficit to sweep Mets originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

No matter the situation throughout the season, whether during their current hot streak or when they lost three in a row in New York against the Mets a couple weeks ago, manager Rob Thomson rarely misses the opportunity to remind people how resilient his group is.

Oh, how that sweep by the Mets seems so long ago now as the Phillies climbed out of an early deficit to pin a devastating 6-4 loss on New York and improved to 87-60 on the season, while increasing their lead to 11 games in the National League East. They have won 11 of 14 since that ugly Mets series.

Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo had a first inning against the New York Mets that he’d soon like to forget. But he’ll fondly recall his next seven innings in which he was, literally, perfect.

The visitors racked up four runs on five hits in that opening inning on Luzardo, who needed 23 pitches to get through.

Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto led off the game with consecutive singles and put runners on second and third when they executed a double steal. Singles by Mark Vientos and Brandon Nimmo each drove in a run before a double by Starling Marte plated two more and before everyone had a chance to settle into their seats.

All Luzardo did after that was retire the next 21 batters he faced.

After striking out Lindor to end the eighth, not only did Phillies fans give him a standing ovation, catcher J.T. Realmuto waited for him on the field for a hug with the whole dugout up and clapping. Luzardo finished the night with 10 strikeouts, no walks and threw only 74 pitches over those last seven perfect innings.

“The whole game was probably as impressive a win as we’ve had all year,” said Rob Thomson. “Luzardo gives up the four in the first, up in the zone a little bit, behind in the count a little bit and then he just settled right in and gave us eight strong. It’s really unbelievable. The offense kept coming. They just didn’t quit. It was just a great win overall.”

One that may not have come had Luzardo not done a complete turnaround after that first in improving to 14-6 on the season.

“The mentality kind of stayed the same of just keep making good pitches,” said Luzardo of his reaction after the first inning. “I felt like I made some good pitches in the first but they found some holes, put some good swings on it. Just understanding their approach, they’re going to swing early, attack and try to get in and out of at-bats quick. Just kind of use their aggression against them.

“Keeping us in the game was huge. At the end of the day all we can control is the pitches we make and the outcomes we can’t control. I didn’t really soak it in. I was trying to get one more out of Topper but he shot it down pretty quick. I couldn’t tell you (last time I threw seven perfect innings). Maybe in high school but it definitely wasn’t after giving up four in the first. I found out after. I knew it’d been a while (since allowing a baserunner). In the eighth the first was already kind of a blur.”

Otto Kemp cut New York’s lead in half in the fourth inning when he belted a two-run home run to center, scoring Nick Castellanos who had walked before him. They added another in the fifth on a two-out double to right to score Weston Wilson. An inning later, everyone had a chance to hit as the Phillies batted around and scored three runs for a 6-4 lead.

“That first inning he gives up a couple runs and you know it’s just that he needs to settle in a little bit and it’s cool to see him get a couple of those innings quickly and for us to try and turn the momentum on our side,” said Kemp, who finished the game with two hits, two runs scored and three RBI. “I think there’s just no panic. It’s early and we had nine innings to do our work and just put together good at-bats. Eventually, you look up in the ninth and you’re up by two.”

Because a game like that needed an ending only Jhoan Duran can provide, he did his part by striking out the side in the ninth to pick up his 29th save of the season and his 13th with the Phillies.

“I’ve been saying the last three or four starts, my body has just hit a second gear, and I feel really good, the arm feels good and I feel like my stuff and my velocity is the best it’s been all year,” said Luzardo.

 Those final seven innings are sure proof of that.

He also had some help from his defense as Harper made a great diving stop at first for an out, Castellanos made one of his running, sliding catches out in right and Edmundo Sosa gobbled up a slow grounder in the eighth and made a strong throw against his body for another out.

“We did a lot of really good things tonight,” said Thomson. “Just all around, just a great effort. They’re excited tonight, it was a big series, and we have another one tomorrow and we can’t let down. We’ve got to keep battling, keep grinding. But I think because of the experience on the club, everybody just kind of stays even keel and understands that we’ve got to go get it again.

“We have goals that we still have to achieve. You can’t think about feelings right now, you just got to keep playing. They just don’t quit. They’re very resilient.”

The Mets have set a date for Kodai Senga's first minor league start since his option.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said ahead of Thursday's series finale against the Phillies that Senga will pitch for Syracuse on Friday after pitching bullpens the last week or so.

The Mets skipper said that Senga was working on mechanics during those sessions, but the real process begins Friday.

"Facing competition tomorrow and a lot of times the hitters will tell you, he’ll tell you," Mendoza said. "We’ll get the feedback from him. We’ll watch videos and things like that, and we’ll get the report. He feels good and feels like he’s in a good spot. Make some adjustments with his mechanics, and he has to go out there now and he has to see it."

Senga, 32, has struggled since returning from the IL in July. He's pitched to a 0-3 record with a 5.90 ERA in nine starts. This season, he's 7-6 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 22 starts over 113.1 IP. 

SNY's Andy Martino reported that the plan is for Senga to make at least two starts with Syracuse.

Updates on Luis Torrens and others

During Mendoza's pregame availability, he was asked for updates on a number of injured players, including Luis Torrens, Tylor Megill, and Tyrone Taylor.

There was no update on Megill, who has been dealing with an elbow issue and is seeking a second opinion, while Torrens is doing "better" as the swelling in his forearm is down.

"He’s trending in the right direction," Mendoza said.

As for Taylor, who was placed on the IL in early September with a hamstring strain, his potential rehab assignment was pushed back so he could be with his family as they welcome a child. 

Coming from the Carolina Hurricanes in the sign-and-trade involving K’Andre Miller, Scott Morrow is trying to etch his mark with the New York Rangers. 

Morrow is one of the most intriguing prospects to participate at rookie camp, and on Thursday, he got a chance to open up about his move from Carolina to New York. 

While the trade came as somewhat of a shock to Morrow, as someone from New York, the idea of returning to The Big Apple excited him. 

“I would say a surprise,” Morrow said of the trade. “I obviously didn’t hear anything about it beforehand, but the first emotion is when you hear the New York Rangers, it’s a very special organization. 

“I’m from around here, and it would mean a lot to have success here. It was obviously super cool. A little bit of disappointment leaving Carolina because it’s such a great organization, but I’m super pumped to be here, and it is definitely more exciting.” 

The Rangers also specifically sought to acquire Morrow in this sign-and-trade instead of letting the Hurricanes offer-sheet Miller. 

That means a lot to Morrow, and it’s certainly something he hasn’t forgotten. 

“I mean, it’s pretty cool that they traded a really good player and I was a part of the return,” Morrow said. “Obviously, K’Andre was a big part of the team here, so if they value me enough to want me back in a package like that for a player that that good, then you know, it shows that they think somewhat highly me. I just want to prove them right for including me in that. It would be pretty cool for people to look back and think that was a great move.”

The 22-year-old defenseman has NHL experience as he played 14 regular season games and five playoff games with the Hurricanes last season. 

He is now tasked with the challenge of proving at both rookie camp and training camp that he’s worthy of making the Rangers’ opening-night roster. 

However, Morrow is determined to stay patient, and he hopes to just stay on his development path regardless of whether he makes the Rangers’ roster or not. 

“Honestly, I'm not focused on the outcome of camp as much as just the process of, you know, being in my second year pro now, trying to show how much I’ve grown, trying to show this brand new organization what kind of player I am. Obviously, they traded for me, so obviously, they see something in me. I just want to make the best first impression that I can.”

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has been playing through a partial tear in his left labrum, but he is unlikely to land on the injured list, manager Aaron Boone said before Thursday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers.

Boone confirmed that Volpe, who was not in the lineup for the second straight game, received a cortisone injection on Wednesday after first telling the team about the injury to his left shoulder after diving for a ball in May. However, the manager said that the struggling shortstop’s absence from the lineup on Wednesday was not injury-related after he played in Tuesday's series opener against Detroit.

“I did not know about Sunday, where he kinda reaggrivated it on a dive,” Boone said. “So my decision not to have him in the lineup [on Wednesday] had nothing to do with that. This information came later.”

After Volpe underwent an MRI on the shoulder in May, he was diagnosed with a partial tear, which Boone said they believed to be an old injury that the shortstop would be able to play through. The club added that he was first treated with a cortisone injection during the All-Star break in July, which the shoulder seemingly responded well to.

“It was really more him aggravating it and kinda probably more swelling of it, and once that [swelling] got out of there, he was good to go,” the skipper said. “He’s aggravated it maybe a couple of times, Sunday being one of them. And each time, I think it’s just a swelling issue.”

Volpe, who has struggled all season and recently lost time to Jose Caballero at short, has just 30 hits in 160 at-bats (.188) across 46 games since the break, with a .224 OBP, .413 slugging percentage, and 49 strikeouts to seven walks. (Coincidentally, it was Caballero's ground ball that Volpe was diving for when he sustained the injury during a game against Tampa on May 3.) However, while Boone said that every injury can bother a player and impact performance, he doesn’t believe the injury has affected Volpe’s performance at the plate.

"It's impossible to say that this affected something this much or it didn't at all. How could you possibly know that?" Boone said. "I don't think it's been a major factor in his performance or his ability to swing that bat or his ability to kinda go to the post every day. That's my sense."

After Volpe felt something this week, he underwent another MRI, which showed “a little bit more of a labrum tear, but nothing that we think is gonna land him on the IL or nothing that he can’t continue to play through,” Boone said. “I don’t expect it to be an issue, but with that being said, if he goes out there and aggravates it again, we may have to look at it more.”

Volpe is already feeling some improvement from the cortisone shot on Thursday and should be able to return to the lineup in the next few days, the manager added.

The club doesn’t believe the 24-year-old will require offseason surgery, but he will undergo an MRI on the shoulder at season’s end, which could result in a change of treatment plan.

On the season, Volpe is batting .206 with a .661 OPS and has struggled on defense, with 19 errors and a minus-9 outs above average, the worst among MLB shortstops. Through his first 460 career games over three seasons, he's posted a .221/.282/.379 slash line for a .661 OPS.

Phillies shift to a six-man rotation with addition of Walker Buehler originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

A six-man starting pitching rotation has been on the mind of manager Rob Thomson and certainly other higher ups in the Phillies organization for quite some time now. Friday, it will finally come to fruition as Walker Buehler, signed August 31, will make his Phillies starting debut when the team faces the Kansas City Royals.

Buehler, 31, spent seven of his eight major league seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before signing with the Boston Red Sox before this season. In his time with the Dodgers, Buehler was a two-time All-Star (2019 and 2021) and was 47-22 with a 3.27 ERA. For Boston this season he went 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA. He started 22 of his 23 games before being released on Aug. 29.

“The biggest thing is trying to fit in,” said Buehler. “This rotation is deep and talented. I hope I can contribute in some way and kind of get back on my feet a little bit and hopefully capture a good month, month and a half here and help us win this thing. At the end of the day this rehab, as weird as that sounds being two years healthy, it takes time. Different voices, different cues, different training methods, all of it can kind of hopefully unlock it and certainly I think I threw the ball a little bit better, have been throwing the ball better than I was. I feel good about it.”

Buehler had one start with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and went three innings, allowed one earned run on five hits, one being a home run. He threw 78 pitches, 47 for strikes.

“He was really happy with his outing in Lehigh,” said Thomson. “Felt like he fixed a couple things, just getting the feel back for his fastball coming out of his hands and ready to go tomorrow. Command, really. Attack the zone. Just be himself.”

Buehler, who recorded the last out of the World Series clinching Game 5 for the Dodgers last season, had some bites from other teams but just had a feeling that Philly was his best bet.

“It boiled down to two or three at the end. For me largely about the role and the competitiveness of the team. Both those boxes were checked here. Obviously, excited to join a team that’s playing as well as we are.

“The talent is immense, the culture is really good. You have a lot of guys pulling on the same string. In my experience I think culture is a big part of it. You have a lot of guys on this team who are very comfortable with their career and their role, in terms of whatever I need to do to help us win one, I will do. Which isn’t always the case. Not every team is like that. All the talent is one of the biggest factors in who wins at the end and I think this team here is talented enough.”

As for postseason plans for Buehler, Thomson wasn’t ready to commit to anything. “We have to get there first and he has to be pitching well,” he said. “The fact that he does like the spotlight, or it doesn’t bother him, anyway, and he’s been there before, that’s a bonus. He’s done it before so hopefully he can do it again.”

Painter’s plan

Top pitching prospect Andrew Painter had a solid outing Wednesday as he gave up just three hits, no runs or walks and struck out six in his five innings. Thomson said that he will make his next, and last, start on Wednesday. As for the plans after that, the club will see if Painter could be part of a postseason plan.

“I actually watched the game and it was a lot better than he’s been. Fastball command was a lot better. His stuff was really, really good. It was a good bounce back. He’ll go again next Wednesday and be the same thing, probably a five-inning limit.”

An update on Turner …

Injured shortstop Trea Turner has been diligently working to heal his strained hamstring, with the hopes to maybe get some time back with the team before the playoffs.

“He’s here every day getting treatment. He got in the pool today to move around a little bit and he said he feels really good, surprisingly.”

Asked if any running has been done by Turner, Thomson said, “Not yet.”

The Mets conclude a four-game series against the Phillies in Philadelphia on Thursday at 7:15 p.m.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

• Juan Soto is hitting .316/.460/.709 with 14 home runs, 32 RBI, 34 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in 150 plate appearances over his last 32 games dating back to Aug. 6
• The Mets are averaging 2.2 runs per game during their current five-game losing streak
• David Peterson is coming off an uneven start, where he allowed four runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings against the Reds in Cincinnati on Sept. 5

How can I watch Mets at Phillies online?

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With 16 games remaining in the regular season, the Mets are looking to hold off a handful of teams for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of play on Sept. 11..

Mets: 76-70, 2.0 games up on Giants and Reds for third Wild Card

Next up: @ Phillies, Thursday at 7:15 p.m. (David Peterson vs. Jesus Luzardo)
Latest result: 11-3 loss to Phillies on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 1 @ PHI, 3 vs. TEX, 3 vs. SD, 3 vs. WSH, 3 @ CHC, 3 @ MIA
Odds to make playoffs: 83.7 percent
*Mets hold tiebreaker over Giants by virtue of winning the season series, while Reds hold tiebreaker over Mets

Reds: 74-72, 2.0 games back of Mets

Next up: @ Athletics, Friday at 10:05 p.m. (Brady Singer vs. J.T. Ginn)
Latest result: 2-1 win over Padres on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 @ ATH, 3 @ STL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. PIT, 3 @ MIL
Odds to make playoffs: 10.1 percent

Giants: 74-72, 2.0 games back of Mets 

Next up: vs. Dodgers, Friday at 10:15 p.m. (Justin Verlander vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto)
Latest result: 5-3 loss to D-backs on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 vs. LAD, 3 @ ARI, 4 @ LAD, 3 vs. STL, 3 vs. COL
Odds to make playoffs: 6.5 percent

Diamondbacks: 73-74, 3.5 games back of Mets

Next up: @ Twins, Friday at 8:10 p.m. (Brandon Pfaadt vs. Pablo Lopez)
Latest result: 5-3 win over Giants on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 @ MIN, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. PHI, 3 vs. LAD, 3 @ SD
Odds to make playoffs: 1.5 percent

Cardinals: 72-75, 4.5 games back of Mets

Next up: @ Brewers, Friday at 8:10 p.m. (Andre Pallante vs. Quinn Priester)
Latest result: 4-2 loss to Mariners on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 @ MIL, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. MIL, 3 @ SF, 3 @ CHC
Odds to make playoffs: 0.6 percent