Category: Sports News

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Cardinals play a four-game series at Citi Field beginning on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Preview

Is the elite version of Kodai Senga back?

Senga lost most of last season due to injury, but he was the best version of himself during his one regular season start in 2024 -- firing 5.1 innings of two-run ball against the Braves while throwing 52 of 73 pitches for strikes and fanning nine batters.

Of course, Senga left that start after hurting his calf -- an injury that cost him the remainder of the regular season and left him behind the eight ball during the minor postseason contributions he made upon his return.

During Senga's first two starts of 2025, he more than held his own, allowing just two earned runs in 10.0 innings while striking out 12. But during his recent outing against the Athletics, he was utterly dominant, needing just 79 pitches to get through 7.0 shutout innings while walking two and striking out four.

In that start in Sacramento, Senga's ghost fork was extra filthy and his fastball consistently reached 97 mph, topping out at 97.6 -- the fastest he has thrown so far this season.

If Senga consistently resembles the version of himself who was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2023, the Mets -- who now have Clay Holmes pitching very well and Sean Manaea on the horizon -- should be in very strong shape rotation-wise.

The pitching situation

Griffin Canning was scratched from Wednesday's start due to illness, with Huascar Brazoban getting the start as an opener.

With Canning unavailable, the Mets optioned Max Kranick to Triple-A Syracuse in order to call up Justin Hagenman, who was sharp in his major league debut on Wednesday against the Twins.

The Mets will have the option of bringing Kranick back on Thursday as a replacement on the roster for the injured Jose Siri -- if Siri is placed on the IL as expected.

Meanwhile, Canning is set to pitch Thursday's series-opener against St. Louis.

Is Mark Vientos' turnaround in progress?

Vientos hasn't hit much this season, with a .145/.254/.210 triple slash and OPS+ of 37.

Most glaring has been Vientos' lack of power. He has four doubles, but has yet to homer after cracking 27 long balls in just 111 games in 2024.

But Vientos has a six-game on-base streak, has hit safely in his last four games, and has looked more comfortable at the plate recently.

Vientos' strikeout rate is just 19.7 percent (it was 29.7 percent last season), and his outrageously low BABIP of .188 (his career BABIP is .287) suggests he's been incredibly unlucky and is due for a rebound.

The Cardinals have been better than expected

St. Louis attempted to trade cornerstone third baseman Nolan Arenado during the offseason ahead of a season that is expected to be transitional.

But Arenado remains, and the Cards have been solid -- with a 9-9 record and +10 run differential.

Their 94 runs scored were the third-most in baseball entering play Wednesday night, and their pitching has been holding its own.

It seems unlikely the Cards will be a serious playoff threat this year with their eye still very much on the future, but for now, they're a formidable opponent.

Can the Mets get to Sonny Gray?

St. Louis has Andre Pallante, Miles Mikolas, Matthew Liberatore, and Gray lined up to start against the Mets.

Gray, who finished second in NL Cy Young voting in 2023 and posted a 3.84 ERA and 1.08 WHIP last season, has been great so far.

In 23.0 innings over four starts, Gray has a 3.13 ERA and 0.78 WHIP, and has allowed just 15 hits.

He has been a bit susceptible to the home run ball -- allowing four dingers so far -- but his other numbers are excellent, including a minuscule walk rate of 1.2 per nine.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Mark Vientos

The signs of a breakout are there.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Kodai Senga

Senga will look to build off his strong early-season performance, and should be fresh after throwing just 79 pitches in his last start.

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

Brendan Donovan

Donovan has been on fire to start the year.

The Mets went into their series with the Minnesota Twins playing very well. They hadn't dropped a series since their opening set with the Astros, nor lost consecutive games all season.

Both those things changed after Wednesday's 4-3 loss in extra innings, and largely because of the lack of clutch hits from the Mets' offense. After they took the first game on the back of Juan Soto's power and shoddy Twins defense, the Mets dropped the final two games of the series after going a combined 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position (5-for-28 across the three games).

"It's baseball. You're gonna have ups and downs and right now, going through some downs with runners in scoring position but we’re getting guys on so the more opportunities we get the more we’re going to cash in," Brandon Nimmo said after the game. "Right now we’re finding ways to win games even without it, and I’m proud of that... It’s something I expect to get better and we’re aware of it. Sometimes you go through times where you’re good at it and sometimes you’re not as good at it. I’m just proud that we’ve been able to find ways to win despite it early on."

Most of those hits with RISP came in one inning on Wednesday. Down 3-0, the Mets rallied to score three runs in the eighth inning before ultimately falling in the 10th inning.

"We didn't play good baseball for the first half but then coming back in the eighth, putting a rally together against one of the better arms from them, was really good to get back in the game," manager Carlos Mendoza said. "Overall, we couldn't close the deal today. We didn't get the job done. We've just got to play better."

"I’m proud of the guys for fighting back," Nimmo said, pointing out how they played a day game after a night game and had to prepare to head back home for a four-game series starting Thursday against the Cardinals.

But the Mets (11-7) now have to take on a scrappy Cardinals (9-9) team on the heels of their first losing streak of the season.

Although many of the Mets hitters aren't hitting when it matters, Pete Alonso continues to. The slugger had three more hits on Wednesday, including an RBI double that started the Mets scoring. He's been the Mets' early-season MVP and Nimmo understands the importance of that production.

"He’s swinging it amazing, man. He’s really staying in the zone, he’s taking what they’re giving him," Nimmo said of Alonso. "He’s putting really good at-bats up there... I know he worked really hard this offseason I’m glad it’s paying dividends right away... He looks like a complete hitter up there, which is fantastic. I’m so happy for him. We’ll need that as the year moves on."

Nimmo in center?

With Jose Siri about to hit the IL, the Mets will have to figure out who will pay center field alongside Tyrone Taylor. Mendoza had said Nimmo could see time with Luisangel Acuña, potentially getting a crack in the outfield -- Jeff McNeil is also going to get looks in center while rehabbing in the minors.

Nimmo was asked about the potential shift from left and the veteran outfielder was open to whatever the Mets need him to do.

"I'll play wherever they want me to. If that requires center field, then that's where I'll be," Nimmo said. "We’ll see how they want to write things up as we move forward.

“I honestly don’t care [switching back and forth]. They can switch me back and forth if they want. Wherever is best for the team that’s where I’ll play that day. It doesn’t take any skin off my nose. I don’t have the pride like that. I just want to help the team win. Wherever they want me, that’s where I’ll play.”

Not knowing he would make his MLB debut until the night before he was scheduled to pitch for the Mets, Justin Hagenman pitched admirably in 3.1 innings against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, with the experience going about as well as he could've hoped for.

"It was fun. It was everything you hope for and more," he said. "Just glad I was able to settle in and kind of treat it like a game and do kind of what I’m used to."

The 28-year-old born in Voorhees, N.J., got the call out of Triple-A because scheduled starter Griffin Canning was under the weather and couldn't go. So, Hagenman made his way to the Twin Cities from Syracuse, and after Huascar Brazoban pitched a scoreless opening inning before walking the leadoff man in the second, Hagenman entered the game for his MLB debut.

Already dealing with a runner on base out of the gates, Hagenman did well by striking out the first batter he faced.

"After you get the first out under your belt, it’s like ‘alright, now we go,’ so it was a good feeling," he said.

Hagenman followed up the strikeout with a flyout before striking out a second batter to end the inning.

In the third, the right-hander froze DaShawn Keirsey Jr. with an outside sinker with the count full, but got into some trouble after a single and double put runners on second and third. However, the Twins failed to score in the inning after the Mets threw out a runner at home on a fielder's choice for the second out and Hagenman ended the threat with his fourth strikeout of the afternoon.

"The beginning, you know first batter, you get up there and it’s just different. I don’t even know how to describe it, but just a little different," Hagenman said. "But felt like I was able to settle in and do what I do best and attack and [got] pretty good results."

"I thought he was really good," said manager Carlos Mendoza. "Threw strikes, mixed well, used all of his pitches. I liked the tempo, he worked quick. I thought he gave us what we were asking of him."

With his family in the stands, able to travel on short notice, Hagenman pitched into the fifth inning and left with a runner on second base after 3.1 innings and 50 pitches (32 strikes) thrown.

A run charged to Hagenman came around to score in the frame after Jose Butto allowed a single to former Met Harrison Bader.

"Super grateful that they were able to make it out," Hagenman said about his family. "You never know and this is a one-time opportunity so super happy that they were able to make it and it was a good time."

After the game, New York announced that Canning will start on Thursday in the Mets' series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. David Peterson will then start on Friday.

Therefore, Hagenman will most likely be sent back down to Triple-A, but not before completing his dream of pitching in the majors. He'll also have a few souvenirs from the game, including the ball he threw for his first pitch and for his first strikeout.

And despite a rough start for the Syracuse Mets in three games so far, the journeyman with a 3.95 career ERA in the minors may have just bought himself a few more spot starts in case of emergency this season with his outing.

"Taking it all in still, but it’s been good," he said.

Nola struggles again, fastball barely above 90 mph in loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Aaron Nola said after his last start on Friday in St. Louis that he needed to get back to throwing strike one and recording out one. He had been falling behind too many hitters and at Busch Stadium he was in the stretch repeatedly from putting the leadoff man on base in four of five innings.

Nola threw a higher rate of first-pitch strikes on Wednesday night but nothing else was improved as he walked four, allowed seven runs over 5⅓ innings and fell to 0-4 with a 6.65 ERA. Nola had never been 0-3 before, much less 0-4.

His fastball velocity was down even farther to 90.4 mph. Nola’s season average is 91.4 and his career average is 92.8. There’s a big difference between sitting 89-91 and sitting 92-94. Granted, it was a frigid night at Citizens Bank Park, neither starting pitcher seemed to have a feel for the ball early and Nola’s velocity has always increased as temperatures have warmed, but this has to be a growing concern for the Phillies. Nola is under contract through the end of 2030, making just over $24.5 million annually. It’s too early to be worrying about a potential decline phase setting in.

“Definitely the worst start (to a season) I’ve ever had by far,” Nola said. “All I can do is keep working and keep trying to have good weeks and compete.”

As most baseball fans know and dislike being reminded, it’s still early. Nola struggled in April in 2017, 2019 and 2023 and was much better the rest of the way all three years. His fastball velocity last April was similar to what it has been this April and he averaged 92.8 after May 1. The Phillies are certainly hoping history repeats itself in that regard.

The Giants jumped Nola for four runs in the top of the first. He walked in one of the runs and left-hander Robbie Ray returned the favor by walking in two himself. The Phillies made Ray throw nearly 40 pitches in the bottom of the first but managed just those two runs.

This was the second consecutive start Nola walked in a run. He’d done it just once in his career prior.

“It drives me crazy,” he said. “It’s unacceptable. Three times in my career I’ve done that and two times in the past two games. I’ve just got to get ahead better. Too many free passes and usually those runs have been scoring. Just making it harder on myself in those situations. Eight walks in two games, it’s not good. I’ll clean it up.”

They scored twice more on a two-run homer in the fourth inning from Bryce Harper but that was it. The Phillies had another brutal night with runners in scoring position going 1-for-9 in the 11-4 loss. They’re 7-for-59 with RISP over their last seven games, a .119 batting average.

Harper is locked in, at least. He said Sunday in St. Louis that a week earlier, he told hitting coach Kevin Long to give him 10 days and he’d be where he needed to be at the plate. Harper narrowly missed a bomb to left-center field that afternoon at Busch Stadium, hitting a ball 394 feet that would have been out in nine of 30 stadiums. It was a flyout to the warning track and the Phillies went homerless in the series.

Wednesday night was the 10th day, and on the 10th day, Harper delivered — not that he hadn’t along the way. He walked twice, hit a game-tying homer in the fourth and singled to bring up the tying run in the sixth.

Other Phillies highlights were few and far between. It always feels uglier when you walk the yard and the Phils walked nine Giants. Joe Ross was hit hard in the seventh inning, allowing four runs as his ERA ballooned to 9.39. Carlos Hernandez walked three, threw 41 pitches in the eighth and ninth and might be a roster casualty Thursday if the Phillies need a fresh arm.

The Phils are 10-8 and have lost six of nine games. They need a win on Thursday afternoon to avoid dropping their third consecutive series and turn to Cristopher Sanchez, who was a double-play machine his last time out.

Suarez makes second rehab start, getting closer to returning to Phillies originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Ranger Suarez is getting closer, literally and figuratively.

Suarez is expected to move on to Triple A Lehigh Valley or Double A Reading for his next rehab start after pitching four innings on Wednesday night with Single A Clearwater.

Wednesday was the second start of Suarez’ rehab assignment with the Threshers. He threw 54 pitches and allowed a run, striking out seven. His sinker was in the standard 91-92 mph range throughout the entire outing.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson has said that ideally, Suarez would be built up to 100 pitches before joining the Phillies’ rotation. Suarez made only one start in the Grapefruit League before experiencing low back stiffness so he’s needed another spring training or something close to it.

The 100-pitch mark isn’t necessarily a strict limit Suarez must clear, though. He will likely extend to five innings and 75 pitches in his next rehab start, which would put him on track for 90 pitches the next time out. That 90-pitch outing might end up coming with the Phillies. So it could be two more rehab starts, it could be one more. This is all provided that Suarez checks out OK on Thursday.

Taijuan Walker has filled Suarez’ rotation spot in the interim and made three starts. He was stingy the first time out and avoided damage the second, beginning with 10⅔ scoreless innings. Walker was hit harder on Monday by the Giants, allowing six runs (four earned) and a pair of homers over five innings.

It is unclear what will happen with Walker once Suarez returns. A six-man rotation is a possibility but only if Walker is pitching well enough to make it worthwhile. Teams usually have a pitcher in the bullpen who can be optioned to Triple A for flexibility purposes but the Phillies do not. Their only relievers with minor-league options remaining are Orion Kerkering and Tanner Banks and they wouldn’t send down either pitcher.

If everyone is healthy when Suarez returns, the likeliest arm the Phillies would remove from the active roster could be Carlos Hernandez, who they’d have to designate for assignment.

These things have a way of working themselves out, as managers and general managers always say. The Phillies might need to figure out a way to gain that flexibility in the bullpen before Suarez even returns so Hernandez’ leash could be short. In the meantime, it’s a good sign for the Phillies that Suarez appears to be only a couple of weeks away from contributing in the majors.