Mets Morning News: Stayin’ Alive

Meet the Mets

The Mets bounced back from Friday night’s massacre to the tune of a 7-2 victory over the Braves. David Peterson pitched brilliantly, striking out a career-high ten batters and giving up just three hits and one run on an Adam Duvall solo homer over six innings of work. The Mets took the lead early with a two-run first inning. With a 3-1 lead in the seventh, Miguel Castro loaded the bases and Freddie Freeman was striding to the plate; it seemed like another one of those games. But Justin Wilson induced an inning-ending double play and the Mets tacked on four runs in the eighth inning to bring the Mets back within 1.5 games of playoff position.

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

Jacob deGrom threw a bullpen session yesterday and declared himself healthy and ready to go for Monday’s start against the Rays.

Now that the ink is dry on Steve Cohen’s agreement to purchase the Mets, speculation about what kind of owner he will be has begun. In a conversation with Buster Olney, Karl Ravech suggested Cohen bring in a general manager “already proven in New York” in Brian Cashman.

Meanwhile, Joel Sherman of the New York Post makes the case for why Theo Epstein would be a good fit for the Cohen-led Mets.

When asked if he has been given any assurances of his job security beyond this season, Brodie Van Wagenen said those conversations had not taken place and quickly changed the subject. John Lennon of Newsday speculates that he may not be the type of general manager Cohen wants to employ in the Mets’ next chapter.

Jed Lowrie’s legacy as a Met is “a signing that always lacked logic and was perpetually aided by mystery,” writes Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News in a piece that took a look back at Lowrie’s mysterious tenure in Queens.

Deesha Thosar also wrote about David Peterson—the huge amount he has given the Mets this year and how he is now a key cog in the team moving forward.

After being made to wear it in Friday’s blowout loss, Franklyn Kilome was optioned back to the alternate site yesterday, as the Mets activated Corey Oswalt from the injured list.

Around the National League East

The Phillies had pledged not to lay off any employees through October 31, but they are now offering many full-time employees a buyout package, according to Matt Gelb’s reporting in The Athletic. They are looking toward significant cost-cutting for 2021, especially if there is not yet a coronavirus vaccine.

The Phillies beat the Blue Jays 3-1 on a solid pitching performance from Vince Velasquez.

The Marlins’ offense unleashed 15 hits in a 7-3 victory over the Nationals, who now fall to 19-31, just like last season—except this time there isn’t time to come all the way back to win a World Series title.

Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia argues that the Phillies would actually be better off finishing behind the Marlins, rather than ahead of them, given the playoff matchups that would come in each scenario.

Around Major League Baseball

Gary Hughes, beloved and talented baseball scout, has died at the age of 79.

Justin Verlander announced on his Instagram page yesterday that he will require Tommy John surgery, meaning he will likely miss the entire 2021 season.

Jake Kaplan and Marc Carig of The Athletic wrote about what this means for the Astros’ playoff picture and what it means for Verlander’s career moving forward.

The Rockies have promoted AJ Ramos, who has not pitched in the majors since his days with the Mets in 2018 due to shoulder surgery.

Tigers GM Al Avila announced yesterday that manager Ron Gardenhire will retire, effective immediately, in order to focus on his health. “It’s been wonderful here, but I also know I have to take care of myself,” said Gardenhire to the press. “When you come to the ballpark and you’re stressed out all day and your hands are shaking, that’s not fun. I’ve got grandbabies. I’ve got kids that I need to take care of and my wife.” He called it a “bittersweet day for myself and my family” in a statement.

Two players and one staffer at the Brewers’ alternate site have tested positive for COVID-19. The entire group of players and staff at the alternate site are now in quarantine and being tested daily.

This Date in Mets History

September 20 is a day of good pitching performances in Mets history, including one of many from the late Tom Seaver in which he struck out fifteen batters. Hopefully that portends good things for Rick Porcello. (I know, that was hard to type with a straight face.)