Your Tuesday morning dose of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
The Mets kicked off their series against the division-rival Phillies with a 5-4 victory. Francisco Lindor led off the game with a homer, becoming just the third Met to hit leadoff homers in back-to-back games (joining Kaz Matsui and Carlos Granderson). Jesse Winker led off the second with a homer, and Lindor added a three-run shot later in the game—the 20th multi-homer game of his career. Juan Soto, meanwhile, just missed a three-run home run in the third, as it was initially called gone but then overruled upon review. Tylor Megill whiffed ten Phillies to earn the win, becoming the second Mets starter with double-digit strikeouts in a game this season (Clay Holmes). Things got dicey in the ninth as Philadelphia rallied for four runs, but Edwin Díaz eventually shut the door on them. The Mets are now tied for the best record in MLB.
Choose Your Recap: Amazin’ Avenue, MLB.com, Daily News, NY Post, Newsday, ESPN
Following another solid performance, Megill exclaimed, “It’s a great time to be a Met right now’.
Brandon Nimmo has showcased a more aggressive approach so far this season.
It seems Soto is being pitched very carefully, which is the same as every year.
Jose Siri will miss roughly 8-10 weeks after fracturing his leg.
Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez will play for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and Wednesday and, if all goes well, will return to the Mets soon thereafter. They will play a full nine innings on Tuesday and one of Syracuse’s two games on Wednesday.
When Alvarez returns from the injured list, likely on Friday, he will start.
Mets players are appreciating the love from the home crowd so far.
In yet another example of how David Stearns is exactly like us, he talked about growing up going to Shea and booing John Rocker.
Around the National League East
The Braves put up a five-spot in the eight and then withstood a three-run rally in the ninth to hold on and beat the Cardinals 7-6.
Spencer Strider has landed on the IL after injuring his hamstring playing catch before Atlanta’s game.
Max Meyer struck out 14 over six scoreless innings to help the Marlins defeat the Reds 6-3. It turned out to be one of the most dominant outings in franchise history.
The Marlins called up Agustín Ramírez, one of the prospects they acquired in the Jazz Chisholm trade last summer.
Philadelphia’s Matt Strahm has a glove that features the Declaration of Independence. If you think this is just a nod to the city he calls home, think again. It goes back to a meme of Nicholas Cage’s face photoshopped over his jersey, since Strahm bears a striking resemblance to the actor, who starred in ‘National Treasure’.
Around Major League Baseball
The latest MLB Power Rankings are dominated by NL squads.
The MLB.com staff compiled a list of one newcomer on each team that is making a great first impression.
The Cubs picked up Drew Pomeranz in a deal with the Mariners.
Luis Arraez is in concussion protocol and has been placed on the IL after a scary collision.
The Athletics are calling up prospect Nick Kurtz after just 32 minor league games.
The Red Sox beat the White Sox 4-2 on Patriots’ Day.
Behind a big night from José Ramírez, who now stands alone at second in Cleveland’s franchise history with 668 extra base hits, the Guardians toppled the Yankees 6-4.
The Tigers earned a 6-4 victory against one of baseball’s best teams, the Padres.
Hunter Brown increased his league-best scoreless inning streak to 24 as the Astros blanked the Blue Jays 7-0.
The Giants topped the Brewers 5-2.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Allison McCague brought us the position player and pitcher meters for the week.
Episode 294 of From Complex to Queens focused on some early season victory laps.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1970, Tom Seaver struck out 19 Padres, including the last ten batters to end the game.