Worldwide Sports News

TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (68-67) and New York Mets (60-75) will play the 2nd game of this 3-game series this afternoon at Citi Field.

LHP Bennett Sousa (1-3, 6.27 ERA) will serve as the opener today for the Astros as he takes on Mets RHP Nolan McLean (9-8, 3.21 ERA).

ASTROS-METS: Since 2017, the Astros are 14-3 vs. the Mets, with a 5-1 mark here at Citi Field. They took 2 of 3 from NYM in their last visit to Citi Field, June 28-30, 2024.

Common Bond: The Astros and Mets both entered the Major Leagues in 1962, with both clubs competing in the NL at that time (HOU moved to the AL in 2013). Both clubs have won two World Series Championships and five pennants. The Astros hold the edge in the all-time regular season series with a 323-263-1 record, while the Mets were victorious in the one postseason series between the two clubs, taking the 1986 NLCS in what was a thrilling, 6-game series.

NY STATE OF MIND: Tonight is the 5th game of a 6-game road trip for the Astros (3-1 thus far), with all 6 games being scheduled in the Big Apple. Prior to the current series vs. NYM, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Yankees in the Bronx (Tues-Thur).

Last Time It Happened: The Astros had a similar road trip in NYC, June 23-29 of 2022, during which they played 4 games at Yankee Stadium (2-2) and 2 games at Citi Field (2-0), respectively.

ABOUT BENNETT: This afternoon will be the 1st career ML start for LHP Bennett Sousa, who will serve as the opener. Sousa, who will be making his 99th career ML appearance today, has made 1 minor league start in his career, that coming on July 15 of this season while on rehab with the Astros Florida Complex League club (1.0 IP, 0 R).

First Time: Today will be Sousa’s 1st career appearance vs. the Mets.

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP: A 3-run rally in the 6th inning and a strong outing by starter RHP Hunter Brown helped lead the Astros to a 3-1 win in last night’s series opener at City Field. Brown (W, 4-3), allowed just 1 run on 5 hits in 6.2 innings of work with 10 strikeouts. A bases- loaded, 2-run double by Daulton Varsho was the key blow for the Astros in the 6th inning. RHP Bryan Abreu hurled 1.1 scoreless inn. in relief and LHP Josh Hader hurled a scoreless 9th to earn his 20th save in as many chances.

NOTHING EXTRA: Last night’s win marked the 2nd time this season that the Astros have won a game without collecting an extra-base hit. The other time was 4-1 win on July 25 at CWS. HOU is now 2-13 in games without an extra-base hit.

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?: In last night’s win, RHP Hunter Brown tallied a season-high 10 strikeouts, marking the 3rd time in his career that he has reached 10 or more K’s. In his last 7 starts, Brown has a 2.63 ERA (12ER/41IP). Last night was also his 1st career win vs. the Mets.

RECENT STROS: The Astros have won 3 of their last 4 games and are 5-5 in their last 10 games.

UP TO THE CHALLENGE: Astros hitters are 3rd in the Majors in successful ABS challenges with 84. Their 54% success rate in challenges is T-3rd best. Among individual players, Jose Altuve’s 20 successful challenges are T-1st in the AL.

TRIPLE THREAT: Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently leads the AL in several categories, including all three Triple Crown categories. He enters tonight leading the AL in batting avg. (.318) and HR (36) and T-1st in RBI (91). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.042), SLG (.607), OBP (.435) and TB (290).

Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).

ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank 1st in TB (1,861), 2nd in SLG (.412), T-2nd in HR (179), 3rd in runs scored (616) and 4th in OPS (.726).

MEASURING UP: The Astros are 25-17 (.595) vs. teams currently at .500 or above. Some clubs that they have winning records against include BOS (5-1), CHC (3-0), CWS (2-1), CLE (4-2), MIA (3-0), and TB (2-1). HOU is 9-4 vs. TEX, who are in 2nd place in the AL West.

SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 48-36 (.571) in their last 84 games (since May 22). That is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (51-33).

ROAD WARRIORS: Since posting a 1-9 record on the 1st road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have been one of the best road teams in the Majors. They are 34-23 (.596) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 18-11 (.607) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip). Overall for the season, HOU is 35-32 on the road.

THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters today’s game needing just 9 hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, his 2,491 hits rank 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 2,581.

IN GOOD COMPANY: In MLB history, Altuve is one of just 3 players with a .300 career batting avg. to reach both 250 HR and 300 SB. The other 2 are HOFers Willie Mays and Derek Jeter.

WALK OF FAME: Yordan Alvarez’ ML-high 28 intentional walks this season are a franchise record. Jeff Bagwell had held the club record with 27 IBB in 1997. Alvarez was intentionally walked 3 times on Sunday vs. ATH.

HADERADE: With last night’s scoreless 9th inning, LHP Josh Hader extended his scoreless innings streak to 18.0 innings (17 app.). His is the longest streak by an Astros hurler this season and the 3rd-longest current streak in the Majors. Opponents are just 4×58 (.069) during the streak. Hader is also now 20-for-20 in save opportunities in 2026. Hader in August: 1-0, 12 G, 0.00 ERA, 13.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 15 SO.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY:2007 – Multiple milestones are reached in a 7-0 victory over the Cardinals. Lance Berkman hits his 250th career HR and Craig Biggio hits his 655th career double, tying George Brett for 5th place on the all-time list. Additionally, RHP Roy Oswalt hurls 7.0 scoreless innings to pick up the win on what is his 30th birthday.

Game Info

Game Date/Time:  Saturday, August 29, 3:10 p.m. CT

Location:  Citi Field, Queens, NY

TV: Space City Home Network

Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Mets lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – DH
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Carson Benge – RF
5. Jared Young – 1B
6. Marcus Semien – 2B
7. A.J. Ewing – CF
8. Brett Baty – LF
9. Francisco Alvarez – C

SP: Nolan McLean – RHP

Astros lineup

1. Jeremy Pena – DH
2. Yordan Alvarez – LF
3. Isaac Paredes – 3B
4. Jose Altuve – 2B
5. Daulton Varsho – CF
6. Christian Walker – 1B
7. Taylor Trammell – RF
8. Nick Allen – SS
9. Christian Vazquez – C

SP: Cristian Javier – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 4:10 PM EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

The Rockies will look to bounce back after last night’s 6-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The Rox put up a fight, but went just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and ran into Atlanta’s stellar defense (namely Ozzie Albies at second base).

The Rockies have yet to win a game against the Braves this year, and have gone just 6-24 since 2022 (3-11 in Atlanta). They’re also in the middle of a 13-game stretch without an off-day, going just 2-6 so far. They’ve also gone 9-16 in August — 7-7 on the road and 2-9 at home. That’s tied for the third-best road winning percentage in the National League and the worst home winning percentage in the Majors this month.

Ryan Feltner was originally slated to make his 21st start of the year, but was scratched about an hour ago due to illness. Zach Agnos will start in his place, but manager Warren Schaeffer said he hopes Feltner will be available out of the bullpen if he is able to make it to the ballpark.

Agnos has made two starts this year, to mixed results. His first start came against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 21st, where he threw five shutout innings and allowed just one hit. He walked one and struck out four. His second start came on June 6th at home against the Milwaukee Brewers, and while he only allowed two runs on three hits, both came on solo homers. He also walked three and struck out just one. In his last outing three days ago, Agnos pitched two scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts. He threw 26 pitches, 18 for strikes. Agnos has faced the Braves twice in his career, allowing three runs (two earned) with two walks, a strikeout and a save across 2.1 combined innings. He has not pitched at Truist Park

Agnos will face Braves’ left-hander Martín Pérez. Pérez is in his first season with the Braves after signing a minor league deal with them in the offseason. The 35-year-old journeyman is making his 25th appearance (21st start) for the Braves. In his last outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, he tossed four innings and allowed four runs (one earned) with three walks and two strikeouts. Since he debuted in 2012, Pérez has faced the Rockies eight times and is 2-3 with a 3.60 ERA.

The Rockies need to go 11-16 through their final 27 games to avoid 100 losses. Can they get another one this afternoon?

First Pitch: 2:10pm MT

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

SBN Site:Battery Power

Lineups:

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San Diego Padres (72-63) at Tampa Bay Rays (80-54), August 29, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, Fla.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Kinda weird that the schedulers had the M’s on an off day on a Friday yesterday, huh? No matter, though, because today we get Kade Anderson’s second career big league start, and first one away from the friendly confines of T-Mobile Park. While the Mariners won in an absolute thriller in his debut, I think we’d all like to see a comfortable win for the new kid.

Lineups:

The Jays are inducting longtime broadcaster Buck Martinez into their Hall of Excellence today, so don’t be too surprised if the start of the game is delayed a tad for the pomp and circumstance. Daz Cameron, son of Mike, will be patrolling left field, while righty José Soriano will make his fifth start as a Blue Jay since coming over from the Angels at the trade deadline.

Game Info:

First Pitch: 12:07pm PDT (allegedly)

TV: Mariners TV

Radio: Old Reliable

Each week, the California Post will power rank MLB’s 30 teams and check in on one intriguing awards race. Records as of Saturday morning:

1) Brewers (84-51)

The Brewers have been getting good news on and off the field. In the standings, they have some breathing room for the best record in baseball. And in a major relief this week, they announced that Dustin May somehow avoided injury after taking a 106 mph comebacker off his shoulder in his last start. (Last week: 1st)

2) Braves (80-55)

The Braves had been going in the wrong direction recently. But it was nothing a sweep of the Dodgers — which was punctuated by Chris Sale’s shutout — couldn’t fix. Also encouraging: AJ Smith-Shawver looked sharp in his return from injury. (Last week: 6th)

3) Dodgers (81-54)

The Dodgers aren’t in a free-fall. But they are just 2-13 in the last month against opponents with winning records and continue to scuffle offensively. Also, Shohei Ohtani still isn’t 100%, which has left his pitching status unclear. (Last week: 2nd)

4) Rays (80-54)

Amid what has been a special season in their return to Tropicana Field, the Rays got good stadium news this week, after their planned new ballpark (and surrounding commercial district) was greenlit by the local government. Asking now that it be called Trop 2.0. (Last week: 4th)

5) Yankees (76-58)

George Lombard Jr. isn’t Derek Jeter yet, after making dubious history with errors in six straight games. But the Yankees keep winning and should be getting Aaron Judge & Co. back from the IL soon. (Last week: 5th)

6) Cubs (76-59)

The Cubs are doing that thing again. Prone to extreme highs and lows all season, they are beginning to trend back in the wrong direction, going from a 9-2 stretch to start this month to a 5-9 slide since. That probably takes care of the NL Central hopes once and for all, and leaves them hoping to get hot again before October rolls around. (Last week: 3rd)

7) Phillies (75-60)

After all the twists and turns that came at the start of this season, the Phillies are finally beginning to entrench themselves in a playoff position, pulling three games clear of the wild-card cut line with an 8-2 run. (Last week: 7th)

8) Red Sox (73-61)

The city of Boston is evidently ready for Roman Anthony to return to the majors. But for now, the Red Sox are continuing to cruise without him, entering this weekend’s pivotal Yankees showdown as winners of three series in a row. (Last week: 9th) 

9) Padres (72-63)

Welcome to the new Padres owners, who said they want to “live within their means” but also entered their introductory news conference to a custom-written — and, if we’re being honest, rather cringy — hype song. (Last week: 8th)

10) White Sox (71-63)

We’re glad Pope Leo XIV got his promotional White Sox pope hat. That said, it might be time to finally give the “The Pope loves the White Sox” thing a rest — at least until there is another World Series game on the South Side for him to attend. (Last week: 10th)

11) Diamondbacks (72-64)

The Ketel Marte saga continues to drag on, with the latest developments including a late-night casino excursion, some questionable clubhouse behavior and more somber reporting about tragedies happening in his personal life. At some point, though, the Dbacks will probably need him back, as they try to climb back into a wild-card place. (Last week: 11th)

12) Astros (68-67)

In #OnlyAstrosThings: Dana Brown is out, with owner Jim Crane evidently hoping that a change of GM will inspire his team to improved play down the stretch. Time will tell on that. But really, all the Astros could need to do is play .500 baseball. So far, that’s been enough for first place in the AL West. (Last week: 12th)

13) Guardians (68-67)

The whiplash-inducing experience that is the AL wild card continues, with the Guardians becoming the latest big movers thanks to an eight-wins-in-10-games stretch. That’s given them a two-game lead for the final playoff spot — which feels like a massive cushion compared to the bunched way the standings have been. (Last week: 19th)

14) Marlins (68-67)

The Marlins sparked an industry-wide debate this week by slashing their pro scouting department and dusting off a familiar nerds vs. traditionalists discussion. Their bigger problem, though, is that their MLB roster continues to sputter, leaving their playoff hopes on life support entering September. (Last week: 14th) 

15) Cardinals (68-68)

The Cardinals were interesting for so much of this year. Now, they are simply playing out the stretch in hopes of returning to contention in 2027. (Last week: 13th)

16) Rangers (66-69)

Every time the Rangers appear to be turning a corner, they do something like this week: losing three games in a row in which they were outscored by 15 runs. The state of the AL standings means they still have a shot at October. But they continue to play like something far less than a postseason-caliber squad. (Last week: 15th)

17) Orioles (66-69)

Pete Alonso is still doing all he can to keep the Orioles’ October dreams alive, improving his August slash line to .358/.419/.674 with nine home runs after another strong week. The O’s, however, still need every bit of it, having only managed a 12-13 record amid Alonso’s recent surge. (Last week: 18th)

18) Blue Jays (66-70)

Last year, the Blue Jays and Mariners were playing for a spot in the World Series. This weekend, their meeting in Seattle feels more like a last-ditch effort from both teams to remain in the postseason hunt. (Last week: 17th)

19) Mariners (64-71)

Two weeks ago, the Mariners suffered a 22-0 loss. This past week, their worst defeat was only 19-2. We’ll consider that progress! More seriously, they did win back-to-back series to at least stay within striking distance in the AL West race. (Last week: 21st)

20) Pirates (65-71)

Our national emergency is over. Paul Skenes had a quality start (six scoreless innings in San Diego) for the first time in six weeks. Unfortunately for the Pirates, it has come too late to likely save their season. (Last week: 20th)

21) Twins (64-71)

Just when we were finally buying the Twins as playoff contenders, they got swept by the Padres and lost a series to the lowly Athletics. Oh, and Byron Buxton might need surgery this offseason. It appears midnight has struck on their Cinderella campaign. (Last week: 16th)

22) Nationals (64-73)

A tip of the cap to 27-year-old rookie Erik Tolman, who overcame a nearly debilitating leg injury a few years ago to make his MLB debut with the Nationals this week, with three scoreless appearances to boot. (Last week: 23rd)

23) Reds (64-71)

The Reds have become this year’s “see-who-can-dangle-on-waivers” club, making Eugenio Suarez and TJ Friedl quietly available this week. Only, it wasn’t quiet enough for manager Terry Francona, who was none too pleased to see that news get leaked. (Last week: 24th) 

24) Tigers (62-72)

Were those “boos” or “Scoobs” that some fans showered on Tarik Skubal? Regardless, most of the crowd at Comerica Park on Friday received their former ace pitcher warmly — even though his return with the Dodgers was another reminder of how wrong this season has gone. (Last week: 22nd)

25) Mets (60-75)

As The Post’s Jon Heyman wrote this week, Alex Cora remains the home run candidate in the Mets’ upcoming managerial search. But current interim Andy Green is certainly looking like a strong option, too, if he wants to be. Even after their deadline sell-off, the club has a winning record under his direction in August. (Last week: 25th)

26) Royals (61-75)

Despite an out-of-nowhere 11-1 run, the Royals don’t have any chance of getting back in the playoffs … right? A quick check of FanGraphs’ computer models show, no, not really, with playoff odds of 0.1%. (Last week: 26th)

27) Giants (55-80)

Not that it matters much at this stage, but shortstop Willy Adames’ already disappointing season is in danger of coming to a premature end because of an elbow injury. Just another setback in a Giants season that has been full of them — and can’t end soon enough. (Last week: 27th)

28) Rockies (52-83)

It was reverse celebration week in Denver, where the Rockies have clinched their eighth losing season in a row. That streak is the second longest in the majors, only topped by the … (Last week: 28th)

29) Angels (52-83)

Maybe John Mozeliak was on to something. Ever since the interim Angels general manager fired the club’s old pitching coaches a couple weeks ago (for not utilizing analytics the way he wanted), the club ranks fourth in the majors in team ERA. Not that it’s helped them avoid a recent five-game losing streak or a 10th straight year with a losing record. (Last week: 29th)

30) Athletics (53-82)

The A’s have only clinched a fifth straight losing season, but they are starting to feel as helpless as their hapless companions at the bottom of this list. (Last week: 30th)

Award Tracker: National League MVP

1) Pete Crow-Armstrong (.277 average, 33 home runs, 83 RBIs, .923 OPS)

We had been reluctant to move PCA past Ohtani in previous iterations of these check-ins. But with Ohtani’s pitching status remaining unclear, and Crow-Armstrong now owning a better OPS and nearly two more full wins-above-replacement (8.6 to 6.9, per FanGraphs), it’s starting to look likelier that Ohtani’s three-year MVP streak will be snapped.

2) Shohei Ohtani (.283 average, 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, .921 OPS)

While Ohtani’s uncertain pitching status isn’t helping him, neither is a recent slump at the plate, with the slugger entering Saturday 4-for-31 over his last eight games. If Ohtani is going to beat PCA in the MVP race, his offensive numbers will have to be decidedly better. Right now, they are starting to become worse instead.

3) Jacob Misiorowski (14-5 record, 1.73 ERA, 222 strikeouts, 151 innings)

This MVP race has become such a two-man show, that the rest of the field is open enough for a pitcher like Misiorowski to finish higher than normal. For reference, after Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani, the next closest NL position players by WAR are Otto Lopez (4.7) and Corbin Carroll (4.5). Misiorowski’s standout season, meanwhile, has been worth 5.7. 

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It is Buck Martinez Day. He’ll join the ‘Hall of Excellence’, which just opened

Game two against the Mariners. I hope it goes much the same as yesterday. And it is game #137.

The Jays plan to have Spencer Arrighetti start Tuesday, Dylan Cease Wednesday and Jose Soriano Thurday against the Guardians.

Jameson Taillon threw 48 pitchers for the Bisons last night, he should slide into the rotation next week. Joe Mantiply threw an inning and will throw one tomorrow. And Josh Smith will play again for the Bisons today and join the Jays Monday when the rosters expand.

Opening the Hall of Excellence:

Today’s lineup:

Bo Bichette might not be a Met next year. He might be as important to them next season as anyone. Early this year, he looked like he would never again be the hitter the Mets signed for $42 million annually. Lately, he looks like a guy who can hit .300. Things can change quickly.

So assessing Bichette’s hectic Mets tenure remains complicated, if not premature. Maybe after the regular season, when the numbers are all in, it will be easier to process – just in time for Bichette to decide whether he will stay next year or go.

But for all the versions of Bichette that have appeared at Citi Field this year, the 28-year-old has passed what might be the most difficult task baseball can offer a decorated All-Star: After hitting terribly during his first month in New York playing on a massive free agent contract, being booed regularly as the Mets’ season fell apart before anyone could stop it, and getting labeled by some as a free agent bust… he emerged.

Bichette’s .298 average since June 1 is 13th best in baseball, sandwiched between Pete Alonso and Fernando Tatis Jr. His .794 OPS in that span is just four points lower than his career norm.

“I think just one day I kind of let it all go and started playing better,” Bichette said. “I don’t necessarily think I found me for a long time after that. But I was still able to come here and compete and put up numbers, which I was not able to do at the beginning.”

For much of the first two months of the season, as the team he was supposed to lift over the top plummeted out of contention, Bichette looked lost. His magic with runners in scoring position was gone. He was swinging early and often and sometimes too hard. Just when he was getting comfortable at third base, he moved to shortstop because Francisco Lindor got hurt. Only 17 qualified hitters had a lower OPS in April and May.

“You spend a good part of the season wondering why we’re not playing as well, wondering why I’m not playing as well, having a lot of different things in your head. On top of that, you’re feeling you want to show your new teammates how good you are and live up to the contract and all that,” Bichette said. “In the simplest way I can put it, I think in a lot of ways I just kind of let go.”

Not playing well, Bichette admitted, made it harder to find his place in the Mets clubhouse. He hardly felt like a rookie – his resume and reputation meant his voice would have clout in the clubhouse by default – but “people are more hesitant to speak up when they’re not doing as well.”

But he nevertheless had an immediate impact on the Mets’ youngest players, as first Carson Benge, then A.J. Ewing, soon became his shadows – so much so that the coaching staff noticed the rookies started dressing like the veteran.

“Bo is one of the guys who took me under his wing a little bit and made me feel unbelievably comfortable,” Ewing said. “He’s been a great resource for me, even now [as he is slumping]; he’s been helping me, talking me through things, trying to keep my head on straight.”

Little by little, Bichette started settling in – even before he started hitting. He was the one who started the Mets’ myriad Spider-Man celebrations after an early teamwide identity crisis involving a sledgehammer. He was one of the first veterans to speak publicly after Carlos Mendoza’s firing, when he and his teammates were to blame.

“I’ve never been someone that is super open right away,” Bichette said. “But it has definitely been different. In Toronto, for the most part, for six years it was kind of my clubhouse along with [Vladimir Guerrero Jr.]. And so coming here and figuring out where I belong and whose word is the last word and all of that kind of stuff – I was trying to figure it out. But as the season’s gone along, I feel like I fit in where I need to fit in.”

Some people who were around the Blue Jays during Bichette’s tenure were surprised to see him choose New York because he never seemed comfortable with the public-facing parts of being a key star in Toronto. Choosing New York, particularly with a massive contract, meant choosing more questions, more interviews, and more off-field responsibilities.

But Bichette seems to understand exactly what playing for the Mets requires of him on that front. From the worst moments of his slump to the last few weeks of questions about whether he will opt-out at season’s end, Bichette has been patient and polite. He is regularly at his locker before games even when he knows a reporter or two would probably ask for his time.

As for that opt-out, Bichette remains non-committal, though he has said multiple times that he is enjoying his time with the Mets and is comfortable here now.

“Obviously, we all want him to stay. At the end of the day, it’s his choice, his career,” Benge said. “Whatever he chooses, I’ll wish him the best. But we obviously want him to stay.”

The Mets front office would likely prefer Bichette stick around, too. Bichette is a more proven offensive weapon than anyone who will be available at third base in free agency next year. Should he depart, they will need to replace not only his production, but his presence.

Plus, Bichette has proven something Steve Cohen and others have said is harder to find than they thought these days. Despite his slow start – and maybe because of it – the Mets now have reason to believe he can handle the rigors of New York. The question now is how long he wants to stay.

Five-time All-Star Juan Soto is back in the Mets lineup, the club announced Saturday.

Eric Wagaman was sent down to Triple-A in the corresponding move, with Soto’s activation coming without a rehab stint. Soto has been sidelined with a calf injury since July 24. The Mets have been holding their own in Soto’s absence, posting a 17-14 record without the slugger in the lineup. Unsurprisingly, interim manager Andy Green has Soto slated for the DH spot as he works back from the calf strain.

Soto has had an uncharacteristic injury-filled season, hitting the IL with leg injuries multiple times. He’s missed 51 games so far this season, almost double the amount of games he’s missed in the last five seasons combined (27). When healthy, Soto has been his usual dominant self, posting 2.7 WAR in his 84 games played.

The Mets get Soto back in the middle of a three-game losing streak. Inserting Soto into the lineup could help the team get back on track after having its most respectable stretch of the season following the August 3 trade deadline.

The Mets star duo of Soto and Francisco Lindor have rarely been healthy at the same time this season, but both will hopefully be able to stay on the field for the team’s final month of games.

New York hosts the Astros today at 4:10 PM EDT, with rookie of the year contender Nolan McLean taking the mound.