Worldwide Sports News

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

5 things to watch

Francisco Alvarez's return

After spending a month with Triple-A Syracuse, Alvarez is returning to the Mets ahead of Monday's series-opener.

When David Stearns discussed Alvarez's demotion, he said the things they wanted to see from him were "not statistical." Reading between the lines, that meant one of the things they wanted him to improve was his defense -- something that was giving him serious trouble before he was sent down.

Meanwhile, Alvarez -- who homered in his final game with New York before being sent to Syracuse -- carried that with him to the minors, going on an eye-popping power tear.

While in Triple-A, Alvarez smashed 11 home runs, including one he cracked over the batter's eye in center field on Sunday.

As was the case when Alvarez was sent down, the Mets' bottom of the order has been struggling to produce. But if the 23-year-old catcher can start putting together consistent at-bats and be a serious power threat, it can change the dynamic of the lineup.

The center field situation

The Mets continue to patch center field together by using Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil. But the case can be made that McNeil should be getting nearly every start.

While center isn't McNeil's natural spot, he's done an admirable job there. He also has an .813 OPS.

As far as Taylor, he's been mired in a deep slump and is hitting just .211/.264/.309 with a .572 OPS and 66 OPS+. He provides elite defense, but his bat is hurting the Mets badly.

It's expected that New York will trade for a center fielder ahead of the July 31 deadline. But until then, it should be McNeil who's out there.

Can the starting rotation provide length?

The only Mets starter who has been providing serious length is David Peterson, who tossed 6.0 strong innings during Sunday's win over the Reds.

Sean Manaea just came back from the IL and is being eased back in, while Clay Holmes is having his innings managed in what is his first season since transitioning from the bullpen.

The inability of the starters to go deep has put undue stress on the bullpen, which started to wilt late in the first half.

Against the Angels, New York will be sending Kodai Senga, Frankie Montas, and Manaea to the mound.

Senga, like Manaea, is still getting fully stretched out after returning from the IL. He went 4.0 innings in his first start back while tossing 67 pitches, so he should conceivably be good throw around 80 pitches this time around.

The same pitch number could be a target for Manaea, who was limited to 69 pitches over 4.0 innings during his start this past Friday.

The Angels have serious punch

Los Angeles is 49-50 and likely headed for another finish that has them missing the postseason. But their offense can be dangerous.

With Mike Trout (17 homers, .834 OPS), Jo Adell (21 homers, .805 OPS), Taylor Ward (23 homers, .795 OPS), Zach Neto (15 homers, .816 OPS), and Logan O'Hoppe (17 homers, .703 OPS), the Angels' lineup is formidable.

That potential hasn't always translated, with the Angels in the middle of the pack in the AL as far as runs scored.

But Los Angeles has been hot lately, scoring 36 runs over the last six games, which included them talking two of three from the Phillies over the weekend.

Los Angeles' pitching leaves a lot to be desired

The Mets won't be facing the Angels' two best starters during this series, with Yusei Kikuchi (3.13 ERA) and Jose Soriano (3.83 ERA) not lined up to pitch.

Los Angeles will be sending out Tyler Anderson (4.34 ERA) and Kyle Hendricks (4.88 ERA) in the first two games in New York, and haven't yet named a starter for Wednesday's series finale.

Overall this season, the Angels have surrendered 496 runs -- the third-most in the AL and fifth-most in baseball.

The only teams that have allowed more runs than the Angels are the Rockies, Athletics, Nationals, and Orioles.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Juan Soto

Despite his homer on Friday, Soto has been relatively cold to start the second half. That ends here.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Manaea has allowed just two runs in 7.1 innings while striking out 13 in his first two appearances of the season.

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

Jo Adell

Adell launched two homers over the weekend in Philadelphia.

Athletics' ‘untouchable' Mason Miller trade stance reportedly subject to change originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Mason Miller, who long has been considered off-limits in Athletics trade discussions, actually could be on the trade block.

The Green and Gold might be inclined to move on from the MLB All-Star closer if they receive a compelling offer from one of the league’s top contenders, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Monday.

“A year ago, Athletics closer Mason Miller was untouchable,” Rosenthal wrote. “To this point, the A’s messaging this season – we’re not talking about him – is pretty much the same. But according to sources briefed on the team’s plans, that stance is subject to change.

“The way the A’s see it, only a few teams are bold enough to propose an offer for Miller worthy of consideration. General manager David Forst might engage those teams as the deadline nears. But for now, he appears willing to let them grow more desperate.”

Miller, 26, would be a grand addition to any club. 

The righty has collected 47 saves since becoming the Athletics’ closer to start the 2024 campaign and holds a 3.22 ERA for his career. Known for his dynamite fastball, Miller has earned 57 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings during the 2025 MLB season and 199 strikeouts over 100 career appearances.

Rosenthal expects some top teams to be in play for Miller.

“The Philadelphia Phillies, who reached agreement Sunday with free-agent reliever David Robertson, probably would be No. 1 on the list,” Rosenthal wrote. “The Los Angeles Dodgers, with free agents Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates performing below expectations, almost certainly would be in the mix. So would the New York Yankees, who face the losses of Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to free agency.

“The San Diego Padres just sent three relievers to the All-Star Game, but general manager A.J. Preller can never be ruled out on top talent. Nor, for that matter, can Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto.”

Miller would cost a pretty penny, as his contract is one of the biggest bargains in baseball. Under team control through 2029 through salary arbitration, Miller is making $765,000 in 2025.

Rosenthal doesn’t consider Miller to be a shoo-in to be traded, as many analysts do with A’s ace Luis Severino. Though, if a team makes an enticing deal that meets the A’s “exorbitant” price tag, then serious conversations likely will proceed regarding Miller.

Justin Verlander seemingly roasted by umpire in odd Giants-Blue Jays ejection originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It wasn’t a great weekend for Justin Verlander and the Giants.

San Francisco was swept by the Toronto Blue Jays in three games at Rogers Centre, one of which the veteran pitcher toed the rubber for and surrendered four earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings on Friday.

The 42-year-old then was ejected in the top of the sixth inning of Sunday’s 8-6 loss after he had choice words for home plate umpire Chad Whitson from the dugout.

Whitson, after ejecting Verlander from the game, appeared to fire a jab back at the Giants starting pitcher.

“How ’bout you worry about getting out of the third inning, huh?” Whitson appeared to tell Verlander, referencing his short outing on Friday.

It appears Verlander and the Giants’ frustrations might have been valid, given Whitson’s missed calls in the game:

The Giants ultimately have nobody but themselves to blame for their current five-game losing streak, and will turn to rookie Hayden Birdsong on Monday as they begin a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

This Bregman quote perfectly sums up Crochet's dominance for Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox badly needed a win Sunday to avoid being swept by the Chicago Cubs in their first series after the MLB All-Star break, and Garrett Crochet stepped up and delivered.

The Cubs scored four runs Friday and six on Saturday in wins over the Red Sox, but they couldn’t muster much offense versus Crochet in the series finale.

Boston’s ace allowed only one earned run on eight hits while striking out five and walking two over six innings. The Red Sox won 6-1, improving Crochet’s record to 11-4.

He now leads, or is tied for the lead, among American League pitchers in wins (11), ERA (2.19), strikeouts (165), games started (21) and innings pitched (135 1/3).

The Red Sox went into the All-Star break with a 10-game win streak. But after two losses at Wrigley Field, it was fair to wonder if Boston’s hot streak was merely the result of an easy schedule, and that the momentum would grind to a halt now that the schedule is getting much tougher.

Crochet righted the ship, at least temporarily, for the Red Sox. That’s what great pitchers do, and his teammates took notice.

“When you need a stopper, he’s a stopper. When you need somebody to keep it going, he keeps it going. When you need someone to set the tone and be the ace of the staff, that’s what he’s done,” Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman said after Sunday’s victory, per MLB.com’s Ian Browne.

“He’s delivered time and time again all year long and we feel very confident every time he takes the hill that we have a really good chance to win.”

Crochet has easily been the MVP of the Red Sox this season, but he cannot drag the team to its first playoff appearance since 2021 by himself.

The Red Sox need other starters, such as Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello, to step up and provide the team with quality outings on a consistent basis. Giolito and Bello did this before the All-Star break, but now the competition is more intense.

Next up for the Red Sox is a three-game series versus a very talented and experienced Philadelphia Phillies squad. After that, they host the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for three games. The following two series are against a pesky Minnesota Twins team on the road and then a home series versus the AL West-leading Houston Astros.

That’s a very difficult stretch for the Red Sox as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. If Giolito, Bello and other Red Sox starters don’t get the job done over the next week, going into the trade market to find another reliable starter would be the best course of action.