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The Mets beat the Nationals, 4-3, on Thursday at Citi Field to complete a three-game sweep.

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Here are the takeaways...

- Jeff McNeilstayed blazing hot, and the result was an early Mets lead.

With two outs and two on in the first inning, McNeil sent a Michael Soroka offering over the wall in right field to give New York a 3-0 lead.

McNeil's shot went down the line and dropped in the first few rows of seats, driving inFrancisco Lindor and Juan Soto, who had both walked

- Kodai Senga entered his start with a 1.59 ERA, which was the best mark in the National League. And he left the game with the best ERA in baseball, after throwing 5.2 scoreless innings to shrink it to 1.47. Senga allowed just one hit, walked one, and struck out five.

Unfortunately, Senga's exit was due to injury.

On a play at first base with one out in the sixth inning, Pete Alonso led Senga to the bag with a toss after fielding a grounder by CJ Abrams. But Alonso's throw was high, leading Senga to jump for it before coming down on the bag with his right foot.

Senga immediately grabbed the back of his right leg, near his hamstring area, after landing on the bag.

After staying down for a bit, Senga walked off the field under his own power without much of a limp.

- In a 4-0 game in the ninth inning, Ryne Stanek struggled, allowing three consecutive hits without recording an out. That cut the Mets' lead to 4-1, and led toEdwin Diaz being summoned for the save.

Diaz bent but didn't break, issuing a walk and single before getting a pop out and two ground outs to secure the victory.

- Brandon Nimmo's home run barrage continued. A night after hitting two homers, Nimmo smacked a solo shot off the foul pole in right field in the fifth inning, which extended New York's lead to 4-0.

- Sotostayed hot, drilling an opposite field double in the seventh inning. He has seven extra-base hits this month (four homers and three doubles), and his OPS is up to .858.

- Jose Castillo and Huascar Brazoban combined to toss 2.1 scoreless innings in relief of Senga.

Game MVP: Jeff McNeil

McNeil has been fantastic all season, and his offensive impact continued to be felt on Thursday afternoon.

Highlights

JEFF McNEIL STAYS HOT!

A THREE-RUN BLAST IN THE FIRST! pic.twitter.com/4pFCeRIjX0

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 12, 2025

Kodai Senga had a laugh after nearly air-mailing an eephus pitch 😂 pic.twitter.com/CoAtmVfX7s

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 12, 2025

BRANDON NIMMO'S THIRD HOME RUN IN TWO DAYS! pic.twitter.com/QFp81IWNUz

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 12, 2025

Kodai Senga is coming out of the game with the trainer after appearing to injure himself completing a putout at first pic.twitter.com/b1NPkEJAqM

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 12, 2025

YOU BETTER CALL TYRONE!

WHAT A CATCH BY TYRONE TAYLOR! pic.twitter.com/5BeHEmYtmo

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 12, 2025

Juan Soto goes the other way for a double 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xxJrbe7CeB

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 12, 2025

THE METS HANG ON TO SWEEP THE NATIONALS! 😅 pic.twitter.com/fffomIrSDT

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 12, 2025

What's next

The Mets open a three-game series against the Rays on Friday at Citi Field at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Clay Holmes gets the start for New York, opposed by Taj Bradley for Tampa Bay.

Mets ace Kodai Senga crumpled to the ground after taking an errant throw from Pete Alonso and securing an out at first base in the sixth inning of Thursday's game against the Nationals at Citi Field.

After staying down for a bit, Senga walked off the field under his own power without much of a limp.

... this story is developing ...

With Frankie Montas making one or two more rehab starts before returning and Sean Manaea set to make his third rehab start on Sunday, things could get very crowded very soon in the Mets' starting rotation.

And the team has been getting calls about Paul Blackburn, reports Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

Blackburn, who has been in the bullpen after making one start following his return from the IL earlier this month, has been the odd-man out so far.

He was terrific against the Dodgers in Los Angeles during what was his only start this season, tossing 5.0 shutout innings while allowing just three hits.

In his next appearance, which came in relief in Colorado, Blackburn allowed three runs on seven hits in 4.0 innings against the Rockies.

Blackburn does not have any minor league options remaining, meaning the Mets would run the risk of losing him if they try to send him to the minors.

The 31-year-old right-hander is earning a shade over $4 million this season, and is set for free agency after the year.

Kodai Senga left Thursday's game with a hamstring injury that will land him on the IL, and the calculus will change with him missing time. But the Mets will still have seven starters for five spots when Montas and Manaeaare back.

With Montas making one or two more rehab starts before returning and Manaea set to make his third rehab start on Sunday, things could get very crowded very soon.

And with New York not planning to utilize a regular six-man rotation in the immediate future, it's fair to wonder how they'll make everything fit.

It's logical to believe that Tylor Megill will slide to the bullpen or get sent to Triple-A Syracuse when room is needed in the rotation. He has minor league options remaining, meaning the Mets can send him down without running the risk of losing him.

Beyond Megill (who starts on Saturday), the next candidate to possibly lose his rotation spot -- as unfair as it is -- would almost certainly be Griffin Canning, who carries a 3.22 ERA into his start on Sunday.

The New York Rangers have officially dealt Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. 

The Rangers are trading Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick in exchange for Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick. 

This marks the end of a 13-year tenure with the Rangers where Kreider established himself as one of the most impact players to ever put on the Blueshirt jersey. 

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury acknowledged Kreider for all he’s accomplished with this legendary original-six franchise. 

"We want to thank Chris Kreider for all of his contributions to the Rangers organization over his stellar career," Drury said. "Chris has been an integral part of some of the most iconic moments in Rangers history, including setting multiple franchise records and helping the team advance to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final. 

“His leadership on the ice and tireless efforts in the community - which he was recognized for as the inaugural recipient of the Rod Gilbert "Mr. Ranger" Award - only add to his distinguished Rangers legacy. Chris will always be a Ranger and we wish him and his family all the best.”

Kreider has the third most goals in Rangers history with 326 goals in 883 total games with the franchise. 

The 34-year-old forward was also the longest-tenured current Ranger player before being traded. 

“This is home for me, This is the organization that gave me the opportunity to live out my dreams,” Kreider said during his exit interview. I’ve developed so many incredible relationships, and grown up, and spent so much time in this area…”

Now, Kreider starts the next chapter of his career in California.

Mets ace leaves start, headed to injured list originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Mets have been hitting on every cylinder this season, building on their lead in the N.L. East. But their latest win Thursday afternoon came at a cost.

Starting pitcher Kodai Senga left the game in the sixth inning with his Mets up 4-0 on the Nationals, and will be put on the 10-day Injured List with a right hamstring injury.

Senga was sprinting to first base to cover after Washington’s CJ Abrams hit a ground ball to first baseman Pete Alonso. Alonso’s throw was high and Senga jumped to catch it. As he landed, he immediately grabbed the back of his right leg as he fell.

Kodai Senga left the game with an apparent hamstring injury after landing awkwardly trying to make a play at 1st base pic.twitter.com/2gOjCobdjF

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 12, 2025

He did walk off the field on his own.

Alonso was crestfallen after learning of the extent of Senga’s injury.

“I still feel awful,” he said. “I tried to make the best throw I could, and it just sucks. I wish it wouldn’t have turned out like that.”

"I feel awful…I tried to make the best throw I could, and it just sucks. I wish it wouldn't have turned out like that."

Pete Alonso on Kodai Senga's injury: pic.twitter.com/KWlnnimw1u

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 12, 2025

Senga’s loss is a significant one for the Mets’ pitching rotation. He has been among the best pitchers in the game this season. Improving to 7-3 with an MLB-best 1.47 ERA after today’s scoreless outing. He missed nearly all of the 2024 season due to shoulder and calf injuries, making just one start all year.

The Mets’ 4-3 win over the Nationals today improved their record to 45-24, best in baseball. They lead the division by 5.5 games over the Phillies.

New York Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury was able to accomplish his main goal in the trade, sending Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. 

The Rangers are trading Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick in exchange for Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick. 

Rangers Reportedly Trading Chris Kreider To Ducks In Exchange For Young Prospect According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers will trade Chris Kreider and a mid-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a mid-round pick. 

As part of the deal, the Ducks will take on Kreider’s entire salary. He still currently has two years remaining on his contract at $6.5 million AAV. 

Drury has now been able to move off of Barclay Goodrow, Jacob Trouba, and Kreider without retaining any of their salaries. 

Maybe the Rangers didn’t get all that much in return for a player who’s been a pillar of the franchise for years, but they did not have to retain any of his salary, which was the most important aspect of this deal for the Blueshirts. 

Now, Drury has set up the Rangers to have more money to work with going into this upcoming offseason and the summer of 2026 when there will be some big-time free agents available. 

With more financial flexibility, expect the Rangers to be major players in both the trade market and free agent market going forward, especially with Drury’s desire to make major changes to the roster. 

Red Sox prospect expert explains why Roman Anthony ‘should play every day' originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s approach with top prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer has left some scratching their heads.

Cora has preferred to bench Anthony and Mayer — both left-handed hitters — against left-handed pitching. Only seven of Mayer’s 44 big-league at-bats have come against lefties, and Anthony has only one AB against a left-hander in his first three career games. Cora pinch-hit lefty masher Rob Refsnyder for Anthony against a southpaw in the 11th inning of Monday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Rays — Anthony’s MLB debut.

Asked on Tuesday about sitting the duo against lefties, Cora mentioned the sizable gap in pitching talent between Triple-A and MLB. He also noted Refsnyder and Romy Gonzalez’s success against left-handed pitching.

Are those valid reasons for sitting Anthony and Mayer against southpaws? Ian Cundall of SoxProspects.com shared his opinion during a recent conversation with NBC Sports Boston.

“I think with Marcelo Mayer, it makes sense,” Cundall said. “If you see him in person, he does have some issues against left-handed pitching. You see it notably in the strikeout-to-walk ratio, he just doesn’t walk against lefties. I don’t think he sees the ball as well against them, and he just doesn’t have as much power against them. So sitting Mayer against lefties, I understand.

“With Anthony, I don’t necessarily agree with that. He looks extremely comfortable against lefties. He reads the ball well, he doesn’t chase, there’s no real difference in his output with approach metrics and batted ball data. So, with someone like him, I would prefer not to platoon an elite elite prospect.”

Anthony’s actually has fared better against left-handers throughout his minor-league career. The 21-year-old slugger posted a .955 OPS against lefties this season at Triple-A Worcester and a .879 OPS against righties.

Anthony and Mayer’s splits aside, it’s a crucial developmental year for both prized prospects. It would make sense to give them reps against left-handers so they can get the full big-league experience, rather than growing accustomed to platooning during their rookie campaigns.

“You look at the last couple of years, the big left-handed position player prospects who’ve come up, guys like Corbin Carroll and Jackson Merrill, they’ve all faced lefties in their rookie year,” Cundall added. “Has it been up and down? Yeah, but that’s the only way to get better is to see them consistently.

“I think with someone like Anthony, who’s that elite number one prospect in all of baseball, he should be playing every day, in my opinion. Whereas Mayer, who is in that tier below and has had some struggles with lefties, I’m fine platooning him.”

It will be interesting to see whether Cora sticks to his approach if New York Yankees left-hander Ryan Yarbrough takes the mound in their upcoming series at Fenway Park. Mayer wasn’t in the starting lineup when Yarbrough pitched against the Red Sox in the Bronx on Saturday.

With Thursday off, Boston will begin its three-game series against New York on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.