Good morning, Mets fans!
A postseason that hasn’t had many exciting moments received its fair share of excitement on Friday night, as both the Astros and the Diamondbacks won their League Championship Series matchups in comeback fashion.
In the ALCS, the Rangers took a 4-2 lead into the ninth inning but José Altuve provided yet another iconic postseason moment as he launched a three-run homer into left field, putting the Astros ahead for good. The 5-4 Astros victory puts the team ahead in the series 3-2 and within one win of a World Series berth.
Later in the night, the Phillies held a 5-2 lead over the Diamondbacks in the seventh inning, threatening to move within one win of a World Series berth as well. The Diamondbacks didn’t give up, though, as they scored a run on a walk in the bottom of the seventh, and then added on three more in the eighth via a pinch-hit two-run homer by Alek Thomas and an RBI single by Gabriel Moreno. That put Arizona up 6-5, which would remain the score for the rest of the game. Suddenly, a Diamondbacks team that looked outmatched in Philadelphia now has the series all knotted up at 2-2.
Latest Mets News
The Mets placed six players on outright waivers, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Anthony Kay, Vinny Nittoli, Michael Pérez, Rafael Ortega, Jonathan Araúz, and Danny Mendick were all released to clear space on the 40-man roster.
Latest MLB News
Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports that the belief is that the Giants will not be outbid for any free agents that they aggressively pursue.
According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, former Giants’ manager Gabe Kapler interviewed for the Red Sox’ general manager role.
In another Giants-Red Sox connection, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Giants asked permission to interview Red Sox coach Jason Varitek for their managerial opening. Sherman later confirmed that the Red Sox granted the Giants permission to talk to Varitek.
The Guardians interviewed Dodgers’ first base coach Clayton McCullough for their manager job.
Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Marlins fired their director of amateur scouting, D.J. Svihlik.
Max Stassi and his wife, Gabrielle, shared the story of their son, Jackson, on Instagram and all he has gone through. Jackson was born premature and continues to battle several diseases and conditions during his stay in the NICU.
Latest on MMO
Patrick Glynn graded the performance that Pete Alonso put on during the 2023 season, giving the star first baseman a B+.
Jorge Eckardt analyzed the Mets’ organizational depth chart at the second base position.
Jack Ramsey wrote about the report that Kim Ng is unlikely to join the Mets.
Andrew Tripaldi wrote about the report that Rangers’ associate manager Will Venable declined a request to interview for the Mets’ vacant manager role.
On This Date in Mets History
1973: The Mets and Athletics played Game 7 of the 1973 World Series, and it was the A’s who got to hoist the trophy at the end of the night after winning the game 5-2. Jon Matlack allowed four runs in the third inning and the Mets were unable to recover in their win-or-go-home game.
2000: The Mets and Yankees played the first game of the 2000 World Series, with the Yankees taking the game 4-3 in 12 innings. Al Leiter allowed just two runs in seven innings but the Yankee bullpen of Jeff Nelson, Mariano Rivera, and Mike Stanton shut down the Mets late in the game to give the Yankees a win.
Birthdays: José Lobatón (39), Danny Herrera (39), Jim Henderson (41)