Your 2026 New York Mets: I just didn’t do my job

“I just didn’t do my job. I didn’t get to my spot. And that’s on me.” -David Peterson [MLB]

The Mets continue to look for answers for what has been a dreadful start to the season…

“We still believe in those guys, we feel good with the rotation. They are just going through a stretch here with Nolan [McLean] and the back-to-back outings not going his way, but you still trust those guys that we have. We have got to help those guys get through it. They have been pretty good for us in keeping us in games.” -Carlos Mendoza [New York Post]

…with incongruent statements that support the current starting pitchers…

“I would say [Peterson’s Tuesday outing] was just a little bit of an anomaly. I think the last three or four outings have been really good and it’s just continuing to refine the locations of his pitches and understand where weak contact happens and just continue to work on some of those smaller details with him.” -pitching coach Justin Willard [New York Post]

…while leaving room to make changes….

“I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a conversation. But we’re going to need all of them. We’re going to need [Peterson] to throw important innings for us. Whether it’s as a starter, whether it’s coming after an opener or pitching out of the bullpen, we’re going to need innings from him. … And Sean, another good outing for him. So I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a discussion here what’s next when it comes down to the next turn in the rotation.” -Carlos Mendoza [MLB]

…while it doesn’t feel this way, the starters rank 11th in the league with a 3.83 FIP which is, you know, okay…

“It’s tough,. It’s part of baseball, but we know we have to perform better.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]

…so this is a lot of focus on the rotation this week…

“I want to be on a team that I know is going to put all the effort in getting a championship sooner or later. I feel that way here.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]

…while the Mets offense is currently 29th in the league with a 85RC+

“If something happens later, there’s nothing I can do. Just be ready for everything.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]

Nolan McLean does have a 4.40 ERA but he also running a 11.01 K/9, 2.79 BB/9, 111 Pitching+, 3.03 xFIP and subjectively been a joy to watch, he’ll be fine

“It’s just bad pitching, honestly. If I’m just gonna be straight up, I just haven’t been pitching my best, and I gotta be better.” -Nolan McLean [New York Post]

“[McLean’s] gonna get back on track. He’s got too good of stuff for this to keep going. … It just sucks it happens on back-to-back outings, especially in the middle of this stretch.” [New York Post]

One of the themes of the offseason was we wanted to acquire players who put the ball in play…

“The Mets liked Polanco for his bat; he had a 134 OPS-plus last season and tends to put the ball in play (something they set out to improve from last year’s club).” -Will Sammon [The Athletic]

…Me sowing: Haha fuck yeah!!! Yes!! Me reaping: Well this fucking sucks. What the fuck.

“The biggest thing is our ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark. It’s hard to score three or four (runs) on just singles. You’ve got to be able to drive the ball, and right now we’re having a hard time doing that.” -Carlos Mendoza [The Athletic]

David Stearns talking like he’s been asked to do a satirical impression of a person who attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School is a lot easier to take when we’re winning

“We absolutely have to look at our risk assessment on injured players, or players who get injured once they’re here. Certainly, we know we’re taking a level of risk when we bring players in with injury histories. We’re feeling that risk right now.” -David Stearns [The Athletic]

Lost to some during this tough stretch is Juan Soto is currently running a 173 wRC+ just like we would want him to

“I’m just trying to do damage. I can’t control if it’s going over the wall or not.” -Juan Soto [MLB]

“[Soto’s] locked in. And he’s one of the best, if not the best at what he does. … He’s just a special player doing his thing.” -Carlos Mendoza [MLB]

“It’s special seeing [Soto]go to work every day. Basically check a box that he’s going to hit a homer or do something cool that day.” -Carson Benge [MLB]

“I just keep thinking to do damage every time. The difference is the results. Sometimes I get the results. Sometimes I don’t. I just feel good. I’ve been seeing the ball well. I’ve been swinging the bat well. Just do damage whenever I can.” -Juan Soto [MLB]

Yeah man, watching this season thus far I feel like ‘I am stretched out well enough’ too

“I feel like I am stretched out well enough,” -Sean Manaea [New York Post]

Always a good sign when your manager has to seperate quotes using the word ‘sucks’ in a week

“I mean, [every losing streak are] all frustrating. Especially when you’re not playing well. They’re all the same, to be honest with you. Yeah, it sucks.” -Carlos Mendoza [New York Post]

But don’t worry, the major league team isn’t the only thing that ‘sucks’ in the organization this season

“If there’s a frustration, it’s being aware of [what’s going wrong on offense], feeling like you’re making some adjustments and then still not getting the result relative to the type of adjustment that you feel like you made.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]

“Because it’s not reality. At the end of the day, you gotta figure out a way to not just produce offensively, but execute and win games.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]

“We have a very good group that we’re putting on the field every day. I don’t think our thought process or expectations really change because every team goes through injuries and things like that. Everybody in the room is a professional and we have a job to do and everyone’s focused on trying to get that done.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]

I can behind community being number one but can you maybe make raising that 64 wRC+ a little higher on your priority list [Bloggers Note: The prior statement was with tonguefirmly in cheek, I have not looked into it but I’m sure the ‘4 Thru 9 Foundation’ and ‘Metropolitan PGA Foundations’ are noble causes]

Worcester Red Sox 1, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 0 (BOX)

Jack Anderson has had his ups and downs throughout this season, even making a stop in Boston for a few days back in April. Thursday night was one of those “ups”, striking out eight batters and allowing just one hit over 4 2/3 innings. That would be the only hit that the RailRiders (NYY) could muster on the day, as the bullpen was just as dominant. Since Anderson was one out short of a win, that went to Seth Martinez (1 1/3 innings), and Tommy Kahnle got his fourth save. Kahnle’s ERA is down to 1.47 on the season and will deserve a call-up at some point.

Worcester got the lone run of the game in the top of the first, thanks to an Anthony Siegler home run. Siegler played 34 games for the Brewers a year ago, and will probably get a shot in Boston at some point. I’m not sure if anyone has been following Kyle Harrison this season, but it would be nice to get a contribution in 2026 from one of the players the Brewers sent back for him.

On Friday at 7:05, Michael Sansone (1-3, 5.57) will be on the bump for the Woo Sox.

Portland Sea Dogs 10, Binghamton Rumble Ponies 9 (BOX)

A wild game in Binghamton (NYM) on Thursday. The Sea Dogs went down 9-2 after four innings before putting up a six-spot in the fifth inning, capped by a bomb to center field from designated hitter Johanfran Garcia to bring Portland within a run.

Tyler McDonough’s RBI double in the seventh tied the game, and an RBI groundout from Will Turner was the game-winner in the eighth. Marvin Alcantara and Brooks Brannon each had two hits on the day, along with two RBI.

John Holobetz and Patrick Halligan combined for the nine runs allowed early in this one. Cooper Adams got his fifth win, and Joe Vogatsky his second save.

Portland hands the ball to Dalton Rogers (0-0, 1.69) at 7:00 on Friday.

Greenville Drive 3, Asheville Tourists 2, 10 inn. (BOX)

The Drive made it three-for-three, working our way down the Red Sox’ affiliates, walking off the Tourists (HOU) 3-2 in ten innings on Thursday. The runs were not particularly noteworthy for Greenville, scoring on a sacrifice fly, a throwing error, and a walk-off wild pitch. Freili Encarnacion had two hits on the day.

Devin Futrell provided a strong start, striking out six and allowing two runs over five innings. Ben Hansen delivered four shutout innings in relief, and Brandon Neely threw a clean tenth inning to get his second win.

On Friday, the Drive will play at 6:45 and have not yet announced a starter.

Hickory Crawdads 7, Salem RidgeYaks 3 (BOX)

The RidgeYaks could not complete the minor league sweep on Thursday night, falling 7-3 to the Crawdads (TEX). First baseman Frederik Jimenez had a big day at the plate for Salem, with an RBI double in the fifth and a solo home run in the seventh. Andrews Opata also had a two hit day, with an RBI.

Jason Gilman was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Jose Bello (0-1, 2.82) gets the ball at 6:35 on Friday for the RidgeYaks.

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Another juicy Friday awaits. A full 15-game MLB slate sits before us, and I managed to find three of my favorite props across tonight’s action.

We will be filling our cards with plenty of plus-money plays and a handful of props carrying serious value.

Some of the league’s biggest names are in fantastic spots this evening, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Rafael Devers, and Brandon Lowe.

Let’s have some FUN with our MLB player props for Friday, May 29. 

Best MLB player props today

Player	Pick	Odds
Rafael Devers	Double	+267
Rafael Devers	To hit a home run	+328
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	Over 1.5 Total Bases	-102
Brandon Lowe	Over 1.5 Hits, Runs, RBI	-114

Rafael Devers Double (+267) | Home Run (+328)

Why on Earth would we be sprinkling on San Francisco Giants slugger Rafael Devers to record a double and a home run instead of targeting his bases or hits, runs, or RBI props?

Well, typically, there is minimal value on a guy in a prime spot, especially when that prime spot happens to be Rafael Devers vs. Michael Lorenzen in Coors Field.

I am not paying -125 for over 1.5 bases or -104 for over 2.5 HRR when I can sprinkle on two props north of +250. If I think Devers is due to boom, I am expecting the ceiling.

And what is a missed home run? Typically a double.

The Giants slugger has turned it on this month, generating 68.18% hard contact, a 22.73% barrel rate, and a .369 wOBA over his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching.

On the other side, Lorenzen has been getting torched by lefties lately, allowing 50% hard contact, a 21.1% barrel rate, and just a 26.3% ground ball rate over his last 60 batters faced. Those left-handed hitters also own a .452 xBA, .924 xSLG, and .466 xwOBA against him.

If you are nervous about taking these props, pay the juice on the bases line, but I think there is far more value on the double and home run.

• Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Rockies TV

Brandon Lowe Over 1.5 Hits, Runs, RBI (-114)

I got pretty filthy backing Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe tonight. I am all over his hits, runs, RBI prop, along with his double and home run props. I was basically forced into the double because of the price, and I always back any hitter I am on to leave the yard.

This evening, the Pirates slugger takes on Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley, who has allowed left-handed hitters to elevate the ball all season long. Over the last 60 lefties he has faced, opponents are producing a 22.2% barrel rate, 58.3% fly ball rate, and a .570 expected slugging percentage.

On the other side, in Lowe’s last 30 matchups against right-handed pitching, he owns a 60% hard-hit rate, 20% barrel rate, and 55% fly ball rate. Not to mention, he also carries 73% arsenal coverage against Bradley’s offerings.

If, for some reason, the Pirates slugger just misses a home run but still finds an extra-base hit, I am banking on it being a double. Similar to Devers' above.

So why not just take the over on his total bases? Well, in 82 elite ratings, Lowe has gone over 1.5 HRR 60.98% of the time, according to Batters-Box. I trust those trends, but if you want the plus money, I fully endorse it.

• Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Apple TV

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases (-102) 

Talk about a mouthwatering spot for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the Toronto Blue Jays star takes on Trevor Rogers and the Baltimore Orioles on Friday evening. The face of the 6 enters tonight with an elite rating on Batters-Box, where he continues to sport some delectable trends in elite spots.

In 34 elite ratings away from home:

• 1+ Hit: 76.47%

• 2+ Bases: 50%

• 2+ Hits, Runs & RBI: 55.88%

Guerrero Jr. also owns the highest arsenal coverage for an elite-rated player on today’s slate, mashing nearly 100% of Rogers’ offerings this season.

The southpaw has struggled in 2026 after his breakout campaign in 2025, and right-handed hitters have given him hell. Over the last 60 righties he has faced, opponents are generating 53.2% hard contact with a 14.9% barrel rate, while he has allowed 2.70 HR/9. Those hitters also own a .402 xBA, .745 xSLG, and .475 xwOBA against him.

At nearly even money for a hitter sporting a .432 wOBA and 178 wRC+ against left-handed pitching this season, I want to be involved with Guerrero Jr. tonight.

And yes, as always, sprinkle the home run.

• Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: SportsNet 1

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The 1947 World Series between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers was littered with talent. The biggest name (for more reasons than just his incredible abilities on the baseball diamond) was Jackie Robinson. But there were also the people some modern-day baseball fans might know from the movie “42” based on Robinson: Pee Wee Reese, Eddie Stanky, Dixie Walker, Spider Jorgenson, and Ralph Branca. There were also the usual names waltzing around the Yankees dugout: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, and Phil Rizutto.

Among the names who played all seven games in that World Series was George McQuinn, who was toward the end of his playing days but still found a way to power the group to another championship.

George Hartley McQuinn
Born: May 29, 1910 (Arlington, VA)
Died: December 24, 1978 (Alexandria, VA)
Yankees Tenure: 1947-48

George McQuinn was born in Arlington, Virginia, and began playing baseball at the age of seven. He started playing first base at the age of 12 after he saved up enough money to buy a George Sisler model first baseman’s glove. He continued playing baseball throughout his childhood and eventually attended Washington-Lee High School, where he would not just play, but star in baseball and basketball. After his high school career ended, he had the opportunity to play for the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, but ultimately turned it down to pursue the professional route.

McQuinn began playing for a semipro team in Northern Virginia before his manager arranged a tryout, and he showed enough skill to earn a contract with the New Haven Profs of the Class A Eastern League. However, he only received 19 at-bats in limited playing time before being released. But that wasn’t the end of the road for him. In fact, it was only the beginning.

One of the veteran infielders for the Profs, Joe Benes, saw something in the 19-year-old McQuinn, so he recommended him to Yankees scout Gene McCann, who signed McQuinn to a contract with the Wheeling Stogies, the Yankees’ farm club in the Class C Middle Atlantic League. He was then promoted for the 1931 season to the Scranton Miners of the Class B New York-Penn League thanks to an impressive .288 batting average, and he lit up those ranks, too, driving in over 1o0 runs with five homers and a .316 average.

McQuinn continued to make an impression and was eventually invited to spring training with the Newark Bears of the International League, which, at the time, was the Yankees’ top minor league team. But because of another player occupying the first base position, McQuinn was shipped north of the border to the Toronto Maple Leafs (no, not the hockey team). And while he started well with Toronto, he was brought back to Binghamton, where he had previously played a season, and he went on to win the New York-Penn League’s Most Valuable Player award.

After returning to Toronto for the 1934 season up until 1936, McQuinn was consistently written about as a potential call-up, but doing so would require the Yankees to have room at first base. And there were some in baseball circles who thought that maybe the Yankees would consider trading Lou Gehrig — yes, two-time MVP, American League Triple Crown and batting title winner, seven-time All-Star, seven-time World Series winner and Hall of Famer, Lou Gehrig — in order to bring McQuinn up. Obviously, that did not occur, but it’s certainly a wild alternate history to think about.

In 1936, the Cincinnati Reds purchased McQuinn’s contract from the Yankees on a condition that they could return him by June 1st. And it was at that point that the left-handed first baseman from Virginia got his shot in the majors.

But the story then isn’t a fairytale. McQuinn, at 25, despite all his time in the minors, was not good in his first 38 games as a professional, slashing .201/.262/.284 for an OPS+ of 51. He registered only 13 RBI, no home runs, 10 walks, 27 hits and seven extra-base hits in 134 at-bats. He was so bad, reportedly, because of the Reds pushing him into a thought process that was foreign — trying to focus on pulling the ball instead of hitting all over the diamond. Because of his inability to adjust, he was sent back to the Yankees’ system for further fine-tuning.

McQuinn went back to Toronto after his major league stint and hit .329 over the rest of the 1936 season, then hit .330 again, leading his Bears to a 109-43 record and a pennant win by 25.5 games. And while McQuinn was lighting up the Yankees farm team, Gehrig was still going strong for the big club, playing every single game for the team from 1936 to 1938. So there was no room to squeeze McQuinn into the lineup, and no reason to either, considering what Gehrig was doing at the plate with an average OBP of .454 and an OPS at 1.075 from the ages of 33 to 35.

After the 1937 season, McQuinn was eligible to be drafted by another team and was picked up by the St. Louis Browns, who gave him his first big league shot. This time, he took advantage of it: he played 148 games and set a career-high in batting average as he slashed .324/.384/.477 at the age of 28. McQuinn had the second-highest OPS of anyone on the Browns, showing the world that he was finally on the scene, finishing 21st in the AL MVP Award race.

McQuinn played for the Browns from that 1938 season to 1945 when he was 35 years old. In 1939, he was voted to his first All-Star Game and finished 13th in the MVP race following a season in which he played every game at first base and batted .316 with an OPS of .898 and a career-high 94 RBI. In 1940, he was selected for his second All-Star Game in a row. And since that season, he earned two more All-Star appearances and another top-20 finish in the MVP voting race. From 1941 to 1945, McQuinn slashed .266/.355/.406 for an OPS of .761 and an OPS+ of 111. He hit for a cycle in 1941 and led the AL in fielding percentage for the second season in a row, earning a reputation as the best defensive first baseman in the league and never once dipping below the 99.1 percent mark with the Browns. McQuinn was going to be traded to the Dodgers, who he would eventually face in the 1947 World Series with the Yankees, but he could not clear waivers, so the trade was nullified.

In 1942 and 1943, McQuinn had back issues, which caused his average to drop below expectations, and he also avoided service in World War II because of them, allowing him to stay in baseball while other big-name stars at the time went to fight overseas. And in 1944, when the Browns won the American League pennant against the weakened Yankees (who still gave them a run for their money up until the last day of the season) and faced the National League Pennant-winning Cardinals in the World Series, McQuinn not only continued his All-Star performance from the regular season (the fourth of his career), but he also did everything he could to win his Browns a championship, slashing .438/.609/.750 with one home run, five RBI and seven walks in the six-game series that was eventually lost.

In 1945, McQuinn’s last season with the Browns, he did what everyone expected him to do, even though the Browns did not return to the World Series. And following that season, the 36-year-old McQuinn was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics for another first baseman, Dick Siebert, in a deal that was catastrophic for both parties. Siebert could not come to terms with St. Louis and eventually retired, while McQuinn had his first below-average full season in the majors, frustrating A’s fans and leading to conversations that he should have retired. In fact, he almost did had it not been for his wife talking him out of it.

Following his release from the A’s thanks to manager Connie Mack, McQuinn finally got his chance to play for the Yankees 17 years after he entered their farm system in 1930. He took over first base when Tommy Henrich went to left field to cover for an injury, and McQuinn stayed there for the next two seasons.

In his first season in 1947, McQuinn’s spark returned. At the age of 37 and in 144 games, he hit over the .300 mark for the first time since his 29-year-old season in 1939. His on-base percentage rocketed to a career-high .395, and his slugging percentage of .437 was the highest since 1941. It was, statistically, the best season of his career. He finished sixth in MVP voting, the highest finish of his career, and was once again voted into the All-Star Game to represent the Yankees this time. And not only was he incredible in the regular season, but when the Yankees won the pennant in 1947 to face the Dodgers in the World Series, he was lauded as “the storybook story behind the Yankees’ surprising success … in 1947,” according to a sportswriter cited in McQuinn’s profile from the Society for American Baseball Research.

McQuinn didn’t hit super well in the World Series, batting .130, a large disappointment for fans of the game at the time considering his body of work in the regular season, but he still walked away a World Series champion, the first and only of his career after a grueling seven-game series.

The Yankees wanted to bring back McQuinn for one more season, and they did after a bit of a holdout from the 38-year-old. But due to back issues and simply old age, it was clear that McQuinn’s last hurrah came in 1947 (and what a last hurrah it was). He played in only 94 games with the Yankees in 1948, batting .248 with an OPS of 102. Due to his poor form and general wear and tear, the Yankees had no other choice but to release the veteran first baseman at the end of the year, and McQuinn retired as a result. He ended up managing in the Boston Braves organization from 1950 to 1958, then became a scout for the Washington Senators and eventually the Montreal Expos, before officially retiring from baseball in 1971. McQuinn passed away from a stroke in 1978 at the age of 68 in Alexandria, Virginia, at a hospital, but he led an incredible baseball life that had a playing career finished by exactly what every player dreams of: An excellent final full season and a championship to remember against some of the best players to ever play the game. Happy birthday, George!

Today marks Joe Biagini’s 36th birthday.

Biagini joined the Jays as a Rule 5 draft pick before the 2016 season and, somewhat unexpectedly, became a key bullpen contributor. He appeared in 60 games with a 3.06 ERA and served as a long reliever, pitching two innings in 13 of those outings.

He was also known for his engaging interviews and unique sense of humor.

2017 began promisingly with Biagini in a setup role in the bullpen, posting a 2.12 ERA by the end of April. However, injuries in the starting rotation forced Joe into a starting role. His initial starts were solid, but his performance soon declined.

Over nine starts, he struggled with a 6.70 ERA before returning to the bullpen.

In 2018, Biagini began the season in the rotation, making five starts with a 7.71 ERA before returning to the bullpen, where he was less effective than in his rookie campaign. In 2019, he rebounded somewhat, posting a 3.78 ERA in 50 relief appearances.

At the trade deadline, Biagini and Aaron Sanchez were dealt to the Astros in exchange for Derek Fisher, whose time with the Jays was largely forgettable.

Biagini appeared in 17 games for the Astros across 2019 and 2020. Afterward, he joined the Cubs as a free agent, spending most of the season in Triple-A.

He returned to the Blue Jays organization in 2022, spending the year with the Buffalo Bisons.

Joe was a fan favourite. The team did him no favours by abruptly moving him into the rotation without time to build up his arm. He was a rare athlete who consistently showed a personality with the media.

Happy Birthday, Joe. Wishing you a great day.

Bill Risley turns 59 today.

Risley, a right-handed reliever, debuted with the Expos in 1992, appearing in just three games over two seasons. After being claimed off waivers by the Mariners, he pitched in 82 games across two years and posted a 3.28 ERA.

The Mariners later traded Risley and Miguel Cairo—who would enjoy a lengthy career, though not with Toronto—for Edwin Hurtado and Paul Menhart.

Risley spent three injury-plagued seasons (back, gall bladder, and arm issues) with the Jays, pitching in 72 games and recording a 4.83 ERA.

Over his career, he made 157 appearances, posted a 3.98 ERA, and notched one save.

Steven Matz turns 35 today.

Matz began his career with the Mets, spending six seasons with the team before being traded to the Jays for Yennsy Díaz, Sean Reid-Foley, and Josh Winckowski—none of whom made a significant impact in New York.

Matz enjoyed a strong season with Toronto in 2021, going 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA across 29 starts. The Jays finished 91-71 that year, just one game shy of a Wild Card spot.

After the season, he departed in free agency, signing a four-year, $44 million deal with the Cardinals. He was 15-14 with a 4.24 ERA with them. Since then he’s pitched for the Red Sox, and this year, the Rays.

Happy Birthday, Steven.

Today, Trever Miller turns 53.

He appeared in six relief outings for Toronto in 2011, a brief stint amid his 13-year MLB career.

In total, Miller pitched in 694 games (including five starts), with a 4.18 ERA and 11 saves.

Happy Birthday, Trever.