Phillies' Unlikely Heroes Praised as Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves Ousted from Playoffs
Oct 15, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 15: Brandon Marsh #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Kyle Schwarber #12 after hitting a three-run home run in the second inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, October 15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies have advanced to the National League Championship Series thanks to some unlikely heroes.
Philadelphia earned an 8-3 win in Saturday's Game 4 against the Atlanta Braves, clinching the 3-1 series victory.
In a lineup full of high-profile players, it was No. 9 hitter Brandon Marsh who had the biggest hit of the day as a three-run home run gave the Phillies the early lead.
Fans were also impressed by the Phillies' pitching on Saturday, including from guys who had previously struggled like Noah Syndergaard and José Alvarado.
Couldn’t ask anything more from Syndergaard. I’m shocked if he pitches the 4th
Jose Alvarado retired the Braves in order in the sixth. A big AB: Dansby Swanson saw three straight balls, then watched three straight strikes. (The third pitch looked low, but best as I can tell, home plate umpire Stu Scheunwater has called that pitch a strike a couple times)
Acuña finished 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the loss.
The Phillies will now prepare for the winner of the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.
Phillies Minor Leaguer Corey Phelan Dies at 20 After Being Diagnosed with Cancer
Oct 14, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: A general view ofthe Liberty Bell and Citizens Bank Park logo's during the Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays on September 20, 2020 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Corey Phelan died after being diagnosed with cancer in April.
He was 20.
“Corey is and will always be a special person. His smile lit up a room and anybody who came in contact with him cherished the interaction. His memory will live on, especially with the Phillies organization," Phillies director of player development Preston Mattingly said in a statement.
Phelan was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after collapsing in the shower in April.
"I was taking a shower and I passed out in the shower. So I called 911 and the ambulance came," Phelan told Jamie Apody of ABC6 in June. "I got a CAT scan of my chest and they told me I had a 9-inch mass in my chest."
Despite the cancer diagnosis, Phelan visited the team in May—a visit many in the organization pointed to as an inspiration.
Phelan signed with the Phillies as an undrafted free agent in August 2020. He appeared in nine games of rookie ball during his career, posting a 1-0 record with an 0.93 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
Mets Twitter Relieved After NY Forces Game 3 in MLB Wild-Card Series vs. Padres
Oct 9, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets hits a solo home run off of Nick Martinez #21 of the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning in game two of the Wild Card Series at Citi Field on October 08, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The New York Mets overcame a disastrous postseason start on Friday to keep their 2022 campaign alive on Saturday with a 7-3 win over the San Diego Padres to knot their best-of-three National League wild-card series at one game apiece.
Home runs from Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso and a two-RBI double via Jeff McNeil paced the offense. On the mound, Jacob deGrom tossed six innings of two-run ball while striking out eight, and closer Edwin Diaz got five outs after relieving the starter.
The Padres got the tying run to the plate with two outs in the ninth, but Seth Lugo induced a Josh Bell groundout with the bases loaded to end the game.
New York entered Saturday under a specter of gloom after losing 7-1 the night before. Max Scherzer allowed four homers en route to giving up seven runs in 4.1 innings.
Now both the Padres and Mets' seasons are on the line with a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday evening from New York's Citi Field.
For the time being, Mets fans can be relieved knowing that their season isn't over after going through feelings of existential dread the night before. The job certainly isn't done, but New York can at least rest a little easy (or as much as a Mets fan possibly can after years of September and October heartbreak) for the next 24 hours.
Here's a look at how Twitter reacted to the Mets' Game 2 performance, which included clutch nights from big bats and key pitchers for an all-around solid evening.
W. #Mets survive to see another day. Jake deGood enough, McNeil with the big hit to break the ice, Alonso, Nimmo and Lindor with big nights, and the bullpen hung on through questionable usage.
Jacob deGrom rose to the occasion tonight! He didn’t have his best stuff tonight but he battled and was so gutsy. HE’S THAT GUY! #Mets#LGMpic.twitter.com/vziRjbjfd1
Game 3 will go down Sunday at 7:07 p.m. ET. ESPN's Jeff Passan set the scene.
FINAL: Mets 7, Padres 3
New York's bats awoke. San Diego's pitching faltered. Game 1 went to the Padres. Mets hang on in Game 2. There will be a win-or-go-home Game 3 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the winner facing LA in the NLDS. Chris Bassitt vs. Joe Musgrove. Buckle up, kids.
Jeff McNeil Becomes 1st Mets Player to Win MLB Batting Title
Oct 6, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: Jeff McNeil #1 of the New York Mets reacts after he hit a solo home run in the first inning against the Washington Nationals during game two of a double header at Citi Field on October 04, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil didn't have an at-bat in Wednesday's 9-2 win over the Washington Nationals, but it didn't stop him from becoming the first player in franchise history to win the MLB batting title.
According to ESPN, McNeil's batting average of .326 finished one point ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who needed to go 4-for-4 against the Colorado Rockies to overtake him.
Freeman fell just short in his bid, going 3-for-4 at the dish.
McNeil was inserted into Wednesday's game on defense in the eighth inning, but he didn't come to the plate. Mets manager Buck Showalter said he wanted to give McNeil rest before the team's NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres this weekend, and he wasn't concerned about the batting race.
"Wouldn't put that on him," Showalter said. "The most important thing is Friday. Everything else takes second."
Freeman gave McNeil an early scare when he doubled and homered in his first two at-bats against Colorado. His attempt to unseat McNeil ended in the fifth inning with a flyout to center field.
"I was definitely paying attention to what was going on," said McNeil, who watched Freeman's game during a rain delay. "Saw Freddie's first at-bat up the middle, didn't watch the second at-bat. ... Hits a homer, and you get a little bit nervous, he's swinging the bat well, and with Freddie Freeman, four hits is normal for him.
"In his third at-bat, a good number of us were sitting in the locker room watching it. He put a good swing on it and was lucky that one stayed in the park."
McNeil had been hitting .287 heading into the second half of the season, but he hit .378 since July 30 to move ahead of Freeman and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Paul Goldschmidt. The 30-year-old went on a 10-game hit streak to end the regular season and batted .465 (20-for-43) with eight multi-hit games since Sept. 23.
It was a strong bounce-back year for McNeil, who struggled last season with a .251 batting average after hitting over .300 in each of the three previous years.
"One of my goals in baseball is to win a batting title,'' the two-time All-Star said. "I wanted to get back to who I am."
NL Wild Card 2022: Padres vs. Mets Hot Takes from MLB Twitter
Oct 5, 2022
ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 01: New York starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) throws a pitch during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on October 1st, 2022 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The New York Mets are under the most pressure of the eight Wild Card Series participants.
The Mets blew a 10.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East and now have to play the San Diego Padres at home just to get into the NLDS, where they would then face the Los Angeles Dodgers.
New York's recent losses in Atlanta put the franchise in a precarious situation and potentially on the brink of 2022 being labeled a huge disappointment.
The Mets tried to replicate Atlanta's trade deadline strategy from 2021, as they brought in some role players to bolster their lineup. Tyler Naquin, Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf have been disappointing. Meanwhile San Diego's top trade acquisition, Juan Soto, is heating up at the right time.
WFAN's Gregg Giannotti delivered an honest take on where the Mets stand going into the three-game set that begins on Friday at Citi Field.
"What did the Padres do at the trade deadline? Went all in. What did the Mets do? Got a bunch of tomato cans"
Boomer says Billy Eppler will be grilled if the Mets can't beat the Padres:https://t.co/tSc8seo088
“Pressure’s on, because they have the highest payroll in baseball,” Gio said. “I know the Padres spent a lot of money and are gonna spend even more money on Juan Soto. What did the Padres do at the trade deadline? Went all in. What did the Mets do? Got a bunch of tomato cans and tried to piece the whole thing together with duct tape and string."
The Mets may be using a different strategy than other teams would. Saving Jacob deGrom's arm is under consideration, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
"If this plan is used, Scherzer would start Friday night’s opener and—if the Mets win and, thus, do not face elimination Saturday—Chris Bassitt would start Game 2.
"If the Mets lose the opener, the strategy would be to start deGrom in Game 2 to try to avoid elimination. If the Mets win the opener, but then lose Game 2, deGrom would start Game 3 to attempt to save their season," Sherman wrote.
The Mets can utilize this plan because they have Max Scherzer and Bassitt ready to pitch Games 1 and 2 in the best-case scenario. SNY's Danny Abriano outlined how resting deGrom could help the Mets in their potential NLDS matchup with the Dodgers.
This is what I suggested a few days ago and wrote about at length yesterday
If Mets do this and beat Padres in 2 games, they would not only have Jacob deGrom for Game 1 and Game 5 against Dodgers in NLDS, but possibly have Scherzer in relief in Game 5 https://t.co/CDSvBjsXPJ
The New York Post's Zach Braziller pronounced that a sweep is needed for the Mets to best contend with the Dodgers due to their potential rotation issues.
If #Mets want to make a run, they really need to sweep Padres and avoid using all three of deGrom, Scherzer and Bassitt. Otherwise, Game 1 of NLDS against the Dodgers is Walker/Carrasco. If they sweep, No. 4 starter doesn't pitch until Game 4.
New York's problem could be hitting off Yu Darvish, who was dominant in two meetings against the NL East side this season, as Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune noted:
Padres won two of three from the Mets in both series they played this season. Padres faced Max Scherzer once and did not face Jacob deGrom. In the game in which they beat Scherzer, Eric Hosmer and Trent Grisham homered. Yu Darvish allowed Mets 1 run in 14 IP in two starts.
Darvish could be followed by Joe Musgrove or Blake Snell. Padres Radio Network host Sammy Levitt outlined how terrific Musgrove was on the mound this season and how bright San Diego's future is with him in the rotation .
Joe Musgrove's final stats in the regular season during 30 starts:
10-7 2.93 ERA 1.08 WHIP 181 IP 154 H 22 HR 184 K 42 BB .227 opp. BA
...and a 5-year, $100 million extension with his hometown team.
A very impressive year. Padres fans should be excited for what's to come.
The Mets also have to deal with Soto, who had plenty of success against them while he was with the Washington Nationals. Ben Fletcher of 760 AM in San Diego pointed out those totals.
Soto was acquired specifically to bolster San Diego's postseason stock, and he could help the Padres get past the Mets in a series that will likely be decided by one or two swings given how strong the pitchers are on both sides.
Report: Mets Plan to Start Scherzer Game 1 vs. Padres; May Hold deGrom Out Until NLDS
Oct 5, 2022
ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 01: New York starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) throws a pitch during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on October 1st, 2022 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The New York Mets plan to start Max Scherzer on Friday in Game 1 of their National League Wild Card Round series against the San Diego Padres, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Mets are also "contemplating a strategy" to preserve Jacob deGrom for Game 1 of a potential National League Division Series, which would be against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, deGrom could start for the Mets in Game 2 of the Wild Card Round (if they lose Game 1) or Game 3 (if they lose Game 2).
Chris Bassitt would go for the Mets in Game 2 if New York wins Game 1.
The Mets apparently want to save one of their aces for a potential series against the Dodgers, who had an MLB-best 110-51 record entering Wednesday.
If the Mets sweep the Padres with Scherzer and Bassitt on the mound, then deGrom, a two-time National League Cy Young Award winner, could face L.A. in Games 1 and 5 (if necessary).
As Sherman noted, though, the Mets haven't said publicly what they plan to do for the Padres series. Rest isn't an issue, as Scherzer and deGrom haven't pitched since Saturday and Friday against the Atlanta Braves.
The Mets were in position to skip the Wild Card Round and head right to the NLDS after leading the NL East for the vast majority of the year, but Atlanta got scorching hot in the second half and swept New York in that key weekend series to vault into first place. The Braves await the winner of the Philadelphia Phillies-St. Louis Cardinals series.
The Mets seemingly face a much tougher draw, needing to beat the Padres twice to head to L.A. to face a dominant club. Still, co-aces Scherzer and deGrom will certainly give New York a chance as it seeks its first World Series title since 1986.
Game 1 against San Diego is set for Flushing's Citi Field at 8:07 p.m. ET Friday.
Jacob deGrom Could Pitch for Mets Wednesday if NL East Title Remains Up For Grabs
Oct 4, 2022
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 24, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The New York Mets are prepared to do whatever it takes if they still have a chance to finish in first place in the National League East on Wednesday.
Per ESPN's Joon Lee, manager Buck Showalter said Mets ace Jacob deGrom could start the season finale to give the team the best chance at a division title.
"He's available to pitch [Wednesday]. Potentially could," Showalter said of deGrom. "It's one of many options that have been communicated with him and Max [Scherzer] and all the guys."
Starting deGrom on Wednesday would hinder him from getting enough rest to be ready for one of the first two games of a possible wild-card series on Friday and Saturday. Showalter said he believes he's ready for any situation.
"We'll make the adjustment. I'm OK with that," Showalter said. "Just keep trying to stay organized for any pivots you have to make. There a lot of potential scenarios."
The NL East title would mean the No. 2 seed and a bye.
It would take some luck for the Mets to be competing for the division crown Wednesday. If New York loses or the Atlanta Braves win on Tuesday, the division title will go to Atlanta for the fifth straight year. However, if the Braves surprisingly get swept by the Miami Marlins, the Mets can win the NL East by completing a sweep of the Washington Nationals.
The Mets were in control of the division for much of the year until the Braves overtook them for first place with a three-game sweep this past weekend. DeGrom pitched the series opener Friday and allowed three earned runs on three homers while striking out 11 in six innings.
The 34-year-old hasn't been his usual dominant self in recent outings. DeGrom has allowed at least three earned runs in four consecutive starts.
New York will need him to be at his absolute best during the postseason, but the team will have all hands on deck if it has the opportunity for its first NL East title since 2015.
MLB Playoff Picture 2022: Braves in Shape to Win World Series After Sweeping Mets
Oct 3, 2022
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 2: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the first inning at Truist Park on October 2, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves delivered a statement to rest of Major League Baseball with their three-game sweep of the New York Mets.
The reigning World Series champion launched itself to the top of the National League East standings with the three victories.
Atlanta holds a two-game lead on the Mets with three games left in the regular season. One win or one Mets loss will lock up the NL East crown and a bye into the divisional series for the Braves.
Every ounce of Atlanta's three-game sweep proved it could compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and New York Yankees in any potential postseason series.
Atlanta took wins off Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, the trio that will likely form the Mets' playoff rotation, received clutch hits from its best players and had its bullpen thrive in the back end of games.
The Braves hit three home runs against deGrom on Friday night. Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley and Matt Olson provided the solo shots that served as a warning for what was to come for the rest of the series.
Swanson and Olson homered off Scherzer on Saturday and Swanson took Bassitt deep in the first inning of Sunday's series finale.
Swanson entered the series with three home runs and six hitless games between Sept. 13 and 28. He had more than one RBI in two games over that 15-day span.
Olson experienced his worst month of the plate before getting hot against the Mets. The first baseman finished September with a .169 batting average and .591 OPS. His two home runs to start October made up half the home run total he recorded in September.
Atlanta needed Swanson and Olson to get on track at the plate to have any chance of going deep in the postseason. Now it has five players with five or more hits in the last seven days. Swanson, Olson and leadoff man Ronald Acuna Jr. are three of those players.
Atlanta's lineup has been lauded as one of the deepest in the league all season. Michael Harris II and Vaughn Grissom seamlessly transitioned into the offense and have become vital cogs in the bottom half of the order. Grissom's success has been more important because he has filled the role of the injured Ozzie Albies at second base.
The Atlanta bats totaled 14 runs on 24 hits against the Mets and proved that they could achieve success against any of the top pitchers in the game. The performances against deGrom and Scherzer could fuel the team's confidence if they go up against the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole if a deep postseason run happens.
Max Fried, Kyle Wright and Charlie Morton did enough to keep the Mets lineup at bay before the bullpen took over in each contest. Fried made his case to be a Game 1 starter by producing his 10th straight start with two earned runs or fewer.
Wright, a 21-game winner, scattered seven hits and gave up two earned runs in five innings. Morton gutted through a 4.1-inning outing in which he gave up two solo home runs.
Fried, Wright and Morton may have more importance attached to their roles in the postseason because rookie phenom Spencer Strider is on the injured list with an oblique injury.
Atlanta's wins over the Mets should allow it to celebrate its fifth straight division title in Miami. That could happen as early as Monday.
Securing the No. 2 seed is vital for the Braves to make a deep push into the postseason. They will avoid the best-of-three wild-card series and land on the opposite side of the bracket as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Atlanta would play the winner of the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies if the season had ended Sunday. Philadelphia's magic number to clinch the final wild-card spot is one.
Atlanta went 4-3 against St. Louis and 11-8 versus Philadelphia. The NL East leader lost one series to Philadelphia and dropped two of three in St. Louis in August. A potential matchup with Philadelphia or St. Louis beats the prospect of dealing with the pitching staffs of the Dodgers, Mets and San Diego Padres before the NLCS.
Brian Snitker's team is on the easier side of the NL playoff bracket, and whichever team emerges from the other side could be tired from a five-game battle in the divisional series. The Mets or Padres could play eight games before even reaching the NLCS.
Atlanta does not have home-field advantage if it plays the Dodgers in a third straight NLCS, but the experience of playing in Dodger Stadium and against the NL West champion's deep roster could help if it gets that far.
In one weekend, Atlanta went from having to play three playoff series to get to the World Series to a likely division winner and on the easier side of the NL postseason bracket.
Atlanta still has to win its postseason games, but it could not have asked for a better setup when it comes to matchups and the emotional boost it earned from sweeping the Mets.
Mets' Jacob deGrom Exited vs. Braves with Blood Blister, Cut Cuticle on Hand
Oct 1, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 28: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets walks back to the dugout after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on May 28, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Phillies 8-2. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
New York Mets star Jacob deGrom was removed from Friday's 5-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves after six innings because of a blood blister and cut cuticle on his hand.
Buck Showalter said Jacob deGrom was taken out after the 6th inning due to a developing blood blister and a cut cuticle pic.twitter.com/nM11Hq6O85
Another injury is the last thing deGrom or the Mets want to see after the pitcher has been severely limited over the past two seasons.
The 34-year-old saw his 2021 season come to an early end because of elbow problems, finishing with just 15 starts with none after July 7. After returning in time for 2022 spring training, a shoulder injury sidelined him for the first four months of the season.
DeGrom has been one of the game's best pitchers when healthy, winning two Cy Young awards with four All-Star selections.
Entering Friday night, deGrom sported a 5-3 record, 2.93 ERA and 91 strikeouts versus just eight walks across 10 appearances.
The 2021 campaign would have been his best if he had stayed healthy. He posted career bests with a 1.08 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
While the Mets don't seem too concerned about deGrom's status for the time being, they'll need to hope he's able to bounce back quickly with the Braves now tied for first place in the National League East with less than a week remaining in the regular season.
MLB Trade Rumors: Marlins P Sandy Alcantara 'as Close to Untouchable as You Can Find'
Sep 30, 2022
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 24: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of the game at loanDepot park on September 24, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, the presumptive favorite for the National League Cy Young award, is unlikely to be traded this offseason.
Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, one source with the Marlins called the right-hander "as close to untouchable as you can find" in Major League Baseball.
Even though trading a superstar player in the prime of their career has been the Marlins' modus operandi for virtually their entire existence, Alcantara's contract situation does make it easier to envision them keeping him for at least the next couple of years.
Alcantara signed a five-year, $56 million extension in November 2021. The deal runs through the 2026 season and includes a $21 million team option for 2027.
Based on how the contract is structured, Alcantara's base salary won't be more than $9 million until after the 2024 season.
Sandy Alcantara Marlins $56M, 5 years plus option
Signing bonus $1,500,000 2022: $3,500,000 2023: $6,000,000 2024: $9,000,000 2025: $17,000,000 2026: $17,000,000 2027: club option for $21,000,000 or $2,000,000 buyout
Even though the years and total value of the deals are vastly different, the structure of Alcantara's contract bears some resemblance to how the Marlins negotiated Giancarlo Stanton's 13-year, $325 million signed in November 2014.
Stanton only earned $30 million over the first three years of the deal. He was traded to the New York Yankees in December 2017, when his salary for the upcoming season was going to jump up to $25 million.
Per Spotrac, Miami only has $47.6 million in guaranteed money on the books for 2023. The total doesn't include players under team control or eligible for arbitration.
Alcantara would seem like the type of player a franchise would want to build around. The 27-year-old leads MLB in innings pitched (220.2) and complete games (five). He ranks second in the NL in ERA (2.32).
The Marlins enter Friday with a 65-91 record, fourth in the NL East. They haven't had a winning season since 2009 and have only made the playoffs once since 2004.
