Mets Morning News: Catching flack

Meet the Mets

Noah Syndergaard took the mound for the Mets on Friday to face the Dodgers, and Wilson Ramos was behind the plate. It didn’t go well. Mickey Callaway made the call to pair Syndergaard and Ramos despite Syndergaard’s clearly better performance with Thomas Nido behind the plate. Syndergaard was chased after only five innings of work and the bullpen was atrocious in relief. The Mets dropped the game 9-2.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, NY Post, Daily News, MLB.com, Newsday.

David Lennon argued that the Mets should let Syndergaard have a personal catcher.

Joel Sherman was even less charitable with his views on the Mets’ stubborn refusal to let Syndergaard throw to Nido or Rivera.

Pete Alonso and Todd Hundley got to spend a little quality time together.

The Mets were not fans of the new bigger bases MLB has been experimenting with.

Jeff McNeil was named the winner of 2019’s Heart and Hustle Award.

Around the National League East

Nick Markakis made his return to the Braves on Friday, but Freddie Freeman is ailing.

Gabe Kapler’s job may be in danger.

The Marlins lost to the Giants despite their pitching staff giving up only one run.

Around Major League Baseball

Justin Upton has been deactivated for the rest of the season due to patellar tendinitis.

Is declining backspin one of the major causes of the home run surge?

The Diamondbacks have extended the contract of their GM, Mike Hazen.

Lew Ford’s baseball life refuses to expire.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Brett Tomko joined Amazin’ Avenue in Conversation to talk growing up a Mets fan, the Dodgers, art school and more.

Allison McCague examined the campaign to turn Noah Syndergaard into a villain.

Vasilis Drimalitis previewed the Mets/Dodgers series.

Joe Sokolowski was back with another edition of “This Week in Mets Quotes.”

This Date in Mets History

Cleon Jones made his MLB debut back on this date in 1963.