Braves News: Injury updates, Pierce Johnson's return, more
Injuries affecting Braves players, including Pierce Johnson's return, Travis d'Arnaud avoiding a concussion, and Austin Riley aiming to avoid IL. [ more ]
Steve Cohen is 'not tone deaf' when it comes to Pete Alonso contract situation
Mets owner Steve Cohen expresses intent to keep Pete Alonso on the team. Mets President acknowledges likelihood of Alonso hitting free agency. Alonso expresses desire to stay with the Mets long-term. [ more ]
New York Yankees vs. New York Mets: Series Preview
Neither New York team is in the position they'd like to be at this point in the year, with the Yankees third and Mets fourth in their respective divisions.While it looked for a couple weeks like we might get a neo-1998 home run chase between Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso, both players now find themselves on the IL.
What's the opposite of hype?That's what surrounds this most recent edition of the Subway Series, which is set to begin tonight in Queens.The Yankees are missing Aaron Judge, the Mets are missing Pete Alonso, the Bronx Bombers aren't launching bombs by any stretch, and the under-.500Amazins have fallen on their face after all the preseason expectations.
As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we'll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today: 1. 2023 Subway Series begins: The annual clash between New York's AL and NL teams begins today as the Yankees head to Citi Field to face the Mets.It's been a difficult season for both teams so far.
A Subway Series Rich on Pitching but Missing Its Sluggers
The latest edition of the Subway Series was already looking a little lackluster: The Mets (31-35) are not having nearly as good a season as the Yankees (38-29).But then the series experienced a huge power outage: Aaron Judge (toe) and Pete Alonso (wrist), who are leading their respective leagues in home runs, will both miss the series with injuries.
In praising Pete Alonso, we see the greatness of Aaron Judge
Pete Alonso is a terrific baseball player, and I don't want this article to be seen as a hit job on him.He is, in many ways, today's Sammy Sosa - one of the premier power threats in baseball, so adept at putting the ball over the fence that that alone may one day put him in the Hall of Fame, or at least the conversation therein.
Red Sox Odds: Rafael Devers Making Convincing Push For Home Run Title?
Rafael Devers isn't off to a red-hot start in the batter's box this season with the Boston Red Sox, but has quickly found himself in contention for the Major League Baseball lead in home runs this season.Devers became Boston's franchise face this past offseason when the Red Sox committed long-term to the 26-year-old star, locking him to a 10-year, $313.5 million extension that'll keep him in the hot corner through the prime of his career.
On Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh the Mets ... won a baseball game.That's it.They played a baseball game and it ended with more runs for the Mets than their opponents, so they won.That shouldn't be particularly noteworthy, yet alone breathtaking, yet after the frustrations of Toronto and the horrors of Atlanta and the hungover farce of opening night in Pittsburgh, it felt like quite something indeed.
In Which the Kids Go on a Big Adventure With Their Polar Bear Pal
For most of Wednesday night, my only thought was that feeling pain because of the Mets was actually a progress: better writhing in agony than sitting dour and numb watching another night of bad baseball, as we have for the last three and a half weeks.Kodai Senga was the best he's looked as a Met, with command of every pitch in his arsenal and an apparent bit of extra intensity.
Travis d'Arnaud in the lineup for series finale against Mets
The Atlanta Braves will try to complete a three-game sweep Thursday night when they wrap up their series against the New York Mets.Spencer Strider will get the start for Atlanta while Justin Verlander will take the ball for New York.Brian Snitker will stick with the same lineup Thursday with the exception of Travis d'Arnaud, who will start behind the plate and hit clean up.
Braves rally from 4-1 deficit to down the Mets 7-5, Michael Harris II leads the way
For the second time in as many games, the Braves overcame an early 4-1 hole to take down Mets, as Michael Harris II the second had arguably his best game of the season in a 7-5 comeback win.The fireworks started early Wednesday night as Braves' starter Charlie Morton walked the leadoff man in the top of the first and then hit Pete Alonso in the wrist with a 96 mph fastball.
Braves pull off another comeback in 6-4 win over Mets
The Atlanta Braves have now won three straight games for the first time in nearly a month, and this was another come-from-behind effort for our favorite baseball club.This time, the Braves utilized a four-run inning in the sixth to push past the New York Mets in order to win 6-4.After the Braves and Mets traded zeroes in the first inning, the scoring got underway in the second inning.
Sean Murphy starts for Braves in series opener against Mets
The lineups for tonight's series opener have been revealed.The Atlanta Braves don't have much going on in the way of surprises for tonight's contest but we're still going to talk about it since everybody loves lineup discussion, right?Of course.So without further ado, here's how the Braves are lining up for tonight's game: As usual, Sean Murphy is back in the lineup after initially starting Sunday's game on the bench.
Braves return home for a division matchup against the Mets
After a 3-3 road trip, the Atlanta Braves will return home to begin a six-game home stand with a three-game series against the New York Mets.On the surface a 3-3 road trip may seem pedestrian.Atlanta dropped two of three to an Oakland A's team that entered the series having lost 11-straight games.However, they rebounded well with a series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are among the best teams in the National League.
Dodgers Highlights: Freddie Freeman Hits 300th Career Home Run, Julio Urias Rocked as LA Drops Series Opener to Cardinals
If you missed Dodgers vs. Cardinals on Thursday, you missed quite the game.The Lakers were playing against the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, so I don't blame you if you missed the Dodger game.But if you did, you're in the right place.Here's everything you need to know about the insane, high-scoring affair that unfolded to open the series in St. Louis: What Just Happened in This Dodger Game?
Former Red Sox Mookie Betts Among Early NL MVP Favorites
We're not even two months into the 2023 Major League Baseball season, but it's never too early to start picking some early league MVP favorites, right?Well, former Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts is among those favored to make a push toward the National League MVP award, which would mark the second of his career.
In a matchup riddled with political and social implications, Team USA hosted Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic semifinals in front of a sellout crowd that was about 60/40 USA.With Adam Wainwright on the mound, they looked to punch their ticket to the final and a showdown with the winner of Monday's game between Mexico and Japan.
Mookie Betts & Will Smith Help Team USA Advance To World Baseball Classic Championship Game
Team USA is heading back to the World Baseball Classic championship game after a dominant performance against Team Cuba with help from a pair of Los Angeles Dodgers teammates.Cuba jumped out to an early 1-0 lead against Adam Wainwright with three infield singles and a walk, but they could not capitalize on their quick start and left the bases loaded.
2023 World Baseball Classic Day 13: USA slugs way into championship game
There wasn't much time for Team USA to celebrate their remarkable win over Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals on Saturday, as they were back in action the very next night.Waiting for them was a Cuba ballclub that had a couple days off after their quarterfinal victory over Australia.
Mookie Betts Helps Team USA Advance To WBC Semifinal; David Peralta Returning To Dodgers Spring Training
A pair of Los Angeles Dodgers faced off in the quarterfinal round of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, with Mookie Betts representing Team USA and David Peralta wearing the colors for Team Venezuela.The matchup provided arguably the most exciting one yet in the international tournament with early offense, multiple lead changes and late-inning heroics.
Mets Offered Pete Alonso Seven-Year, $158MM Extension Last Summer
The Mets explore trading Pete Alonso after failed contract extension negotiations, comparing his offer to similar deals for Olson and Freeman. [ more ]
Mets are stuck in complicated Pete Alonso limbo entering walk year
The presence of fans has likely influenced the Mets' decision to keep Pete Alonso.
The Mets may have logical reasons to trade Alonso, such as their desire to contend in the future and Alonso's potential value in the trade market. [ more ]
New York Mets star agrees to $20.5 million, 1-year contract
Pete Alonso and the New York Mets agreed to a $20.5 million, one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
The Mets also reached one-year deals with several other players, including Adrian Houser and Tyrone Taylor who were acquired in a trade with Milwaukee. [ more ]
Do long-term contracts ever work out for the Mets? The Pete Alonso question
Pete Alonso's future with the Mets is a difficult question as the team considers extending his contract.
Despite his impressive power numbers and performance, some question whether it makes sense to lock Alonso up for a long-term and expensive contract. [ more ]
Starling Marte has hit safely in 12 of his last 16 games and you hear about how he's back.The problem is that it's almost all singles and what happens when the hits stop falling in?Marte has 65 PA in these 16 games and he has 2 BB and 3 XBH.He's got a .383BABIP, which is a high number, and a .754OPS, which isn't much for a hot streak.
11 days ago, Major League Baseball opened up "Phase I" voting for this year's All-Star Game and I wrote about how Thairo Estrada of our beloved San Francisco Giants, being the best second baseman in the National League, should get yours and many other people's vote.Today, Major League Baseball released the first "Phase I" results from the balloting and, to my horror, Thairo Estrada, still the best second baseman in the National League, is not leading the results - he's SIXTH!
In the movie Moneyball, Peter Brand, a baseball analyst played by Jonah Hill, has a mantra for the type of player his team covets.He gets on base, Brand says when his boss points at him.The movie, like the Michael Lewis book upon which it is based, is about the rise of sabermetrics in Major League Baseball.
The Rockies has somehow now been around for 30 years.I was at their first-ever game, which they lost to the Mets at Shea.I watched them beat the Mets behind Dante Bichette in extras at Coors Field's christening.Since then I've seen the Mets play at Coors far too often for my liking.I've seen them pound various Rockies incarnations by scores that feel more suited to football; I've seen them suffer the same indignities.
Faith and Fear in Flushing made its debut on Feb. 16, 2005, the brainchild of two longtime friends and lifelong Met fans.Greg Prince discovered the Mets when he was 6, during the magical summer of 1969.He is a Long Island-based writer, editor and communications consultant.
Mets sweep doubleheader from Guardians with 2-1 win in nightcap: Francisco Lindor strikes again
NEW YORK -- Shane Bieber atoned for his start Tuesday night against the White Sox, but it wasn't enough to get the Guardians a win.It wasn't enough because Cleveland's former shortstop Francisco Lindor kept getting in his way.Lindor hit a game-tying homer off Bieber in the sixth inning and then set the table for New York's sweep of the day-night doubleheader with a 2-1 victory in the nightcap at Citi Fioeld.
RECAP: USA 9, VEN 7; Team USA advances to semifinals on Trea Turner's grand slam
You couldn't have asked for a more exciting World Baseball Classic matchup on Saturday night as the United States arrived at LoanDepot Park for the first time in the tournament to battle undefeated Venezuela.Both teams went with their best starter pitcher: Lance Lynn for Team USA and Martin Pérez for Venezuela.
Mets hoping series win over MLB-best Rays springboards' them back on track in '23 | amNewYork
QUEENS Chalk up the week the New York Mets had as another prime example of the unpredictability that baseball brings.After bombing the perceived easy part of their schedule and having lost 16 of their previous 22 games, the Mets' 3-2 win over Major League Baseball's best team, the Tampa Bay Rays, on Thursday secured their first series win in a month to break the seven-set winless drought.
There's Something I've Never Seen Before | Defector
The common refrain about baseball is that if you go to a game, you can see something you've never seen before.But you can also end up seeing a lot of things you have seen before.By my mental accounting and box-score research, in my life I've been to roughly 20 major-league games across eight stadiums.
Yankees Rivalry Roundup: Rays fall to Mets in extra-innings battle
After a pretty nice start to the series north of the border, Wednesday night's game was a frustrating one for the Yankees.After 10 innings of no runs from the Yankees' offense, the pitching eventually couldn't keep the Blue Jays off the board.Danny Jansen's walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th gave Toronto their first win of the four-game set.
Yankees Rivalry Roundup: Rays light up Justin Verlander
The Yankees and Blue Jays had a chaotic second game of the four game series, with sticky stuff ejections, manager chirps, home runs, and another injury to the Yankees bullpen, but there was plenty of other action around MLB.It took two full innings for any runs to be scored in this interleague matchup, but after that point, the fans in attendance got to see runs in every inning after that.
Once upon a time, Anthony Rizzo was one of the league's premier first basemen, a centerpiece of a young Cubs team that won their first World Series in over a century and looked poised to become baseball's next great dynasty.While the latter didn't happen, it wasn't Rizzo's fault: from 2016 to 2019, he posted a .285/.389/.510
Pete Alonso shrugs off illness, supplies Mets with much-needed antidote of walk-off win over Rays | amNewYork
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.By Joe Pantorno Posted on May 17, 2023 New York Mets' Pete Alonso (20) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off three-run home run during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in New York.
Sparked by Vientos, Alvarez dramatics, Alonso walks Mets off to dramatic 8-7, 10-inning win over Rays | amNewYork
QUEENS The Mets are finally learning that it's beneficial to play the kids.Twenty-three-year-old Mark Vientos, making his 2023 debut, and 21-year-old Francisco Alvarez sprung an anemic offense to life with late-inning, game-tying home runs before Pete Alonso wiped away two Tampa Bay Rays runs in the 10th inning, launching a no-doubter of a three-run home run to lift the Mets to an 8-7 victory.
Mark Vientos looking to add spark to sputtering Mets offense upon call-up: I'm a lot better than I was last year' | amNewYork
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.By Joe Pantorno Posted on May 17, 2023 Mark Vientos (Photo: Joe Pantorno/AMNY) QUEENS Mark Vientos had every right to feel pretty confident, as he described it, that he would get a call-up to the majors with the Mets sooner rather than later.
Mets call up scorching Mark Vientos from Triple-A in hopes of sparking offense | amNewYork
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.By Joe Pantorno Posted on May 17, 2023 Mark Vientos (Wikipedia commons) In need of a spark, the New York Mets couldn't afford to wait any longer and made the call on Wednesday, promoting red-hot prospect Mark Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse, per multiple reports.
Verlander hammered in Citi Field debut, Mets beaten by Rays 8-5 in series opener | amNewYork
QUEENS Remarkably enough, the Mets are finding new depths to plunge into amidst their heinous spring stretch.Justin Verlander was tagged for six runs on eight hits headlined by two home runs and five RBI by Isaac Paredes with three strikeouts and two walks in his Citi Field debut as the Mets were booed off the diamond in an 8-5 loss to the MLB-best Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night in an ugly series opener.
Everyone I know, everywhere I go People need some reason to believe
The Mets haven't given us many reasons to believe, leaving many to be running on empty right about now.It seems like the Mets themselves have their fuel gauge hugging the "E," too.The list is long and familiar to all of us.
New York Mets Haven't Hit A Home Run In 51 Innings
Thing haven't gone exactly how the New York Mets thought they would to start the 2023 MLB season.Hopes were high heading into the year.The team went out and spent big money on free agents for both their pitching rotation and batting lineup, and they were one of the favorites to win the World Series when the season started.
The New York Mets currently have on their roster five pitchers who were born before their last world championship, which speaks to both the age of the pitchers and the last world championship.One, Max Scherzer, hasn't been able to make his most recent scheduled start because of neck spasms.One, Tommy Hunter, missed time in the bullpen because of back spasms.
The Mets have been both bad and unwatchable for the better part of two weeks, so Tuesday night counted as progress: They were watchable.Watchable, as they fought back after being put in a deep hole by David Peterson, Stephen Nogosek, and (one could argue) the umpiring crew, which missed a ball headed for Francisco Lindor's glove hitting Wil Myers in the hand as he slid into second.
Mets bullpen torched for 7 in 5th, Rockies take rubber game 13-6 | amNewYork
QUEENS Things never seem to line up for slumping teams.If the pitching is good, the bats are cold.If the offense shows up, the arms struggle.For the Mets on Sunday, it was the bullpen's turn to go belly-up.Relievers Jimmy Yacabonis and Tommy Hunter were torched for seven runs on five hits, including a pair of two-run home runs to Kris Bryant and Brenton Doyle, in the fifth inning to doom the Mets in a 13-6 rubber-game loss in their series finale against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field.
Everything one needed to know about Mets-Braves games seemed to be on display in the bottom of the first inning of Monday afternoon's doubleheader opener at Citi Field.We reached the part where the heartaches come pretty early.Atlanta was already ahead, 3-0, with the Braves' additional top-flight catcher Sean Murphy - because harboring a vengeful Travis d'Arnaud wasn't enough - having taken Mets starter Denyi Reyes deep in the top of the frame.
Sean Murphy homers twice as Braves hold on for 9-8 win over the Mets
Sean Murphy homered twice to help the Atlanta Braves secure a 9-8 win in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the New York Mets.As has been the trend for most of the season, the Braves got off to a fast start.Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson led off the game with singles.After Austin Riley popped out, Sean Murphy connected on his seventh home run of the season to give Atlanta an early 3-0 lead.
Murphy, Acuna power Braves past Mets 9-8 in DH opener | amNewYork
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.Jerry Beach, Associated Press Posted on May 1, 2023 New York Mets catcher Tomas Nido, left, looks on as Atlanta Braves' Sean Murphy, right, celebrates his three run homer with teammates during the seventh inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader at Citi Field, Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York.
Michael Harris II returns, hitting ninth, for first game against the Mets
Michael Harris II is back, folks.He's also hitting ninth with a lefty starter on the hill for New York.This is definitely a novel lineup and defensive arrangement for the Braves, and one that reunites the troublemakers (Harris and Vaughn Grissom) on the same field.Eddie Rosario is also apparently a full-time player now, platoon advantage be damned.
Braves head to New York for four-game series against Mets
Coming off of a 3-4 homestand, the Atlanta Braves will make the trip to Citi Field where they will face off against the New York Mets in a four-game series.The Mets entered play Thursday with a 14-11 record and had lost four-straight games pending the outcome of Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals.
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.Jerry Beach, Associated Press Posted on April 27, 2023 New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a double against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 27, 2023, in New York.
But Maybe It's Better Not to Burn the Barn in the First Place
This recap begins with a confession.Emily and I had tickets for Thursday night's game, obtained weeks ago in exchange for a smallish charitable contribution.My 2023 debut at Citi Field was nigh, and with it the chance to demonstrate that I was not, in fact, jinxed despite having gone 0 for 2022 as an attendee, with the last two losses against San Diego when losing a ballgame was a really bad idea.
Red Sox Boston wins its most games since 2018 in the video game's prediction.The Red Sox make the playoffs and bring home major individual awards in MLB The Show' s most recent simulation of the major league season.According to the simulation, Boston's current iteration will finish with a 98-64 record, its best since the 2018 season.
Braves vs. Mets Spring Training Game Thread, 3/23/23
The Braves will look to stay hot as they will go for their sixth straight win in Grapefruit League action against the divisional rival New York Mets.Jared Shuster will get the start as he looks to continue his strong spring and strengthen his case for a spot in the starting rotation.Ronald Acuna Jr. will be making his Spring Training return as the Braves are putting out a lineup that appears to be pretty close to what we might see on Opening Day.
While Mets fans and perhaps even the front office are weighing what the right thing to do with Brett Baty is, it seems like the Braves have taken a rather unusual step with one of their youngsters.Last year Atlanta called up Vaughn Grissom from Double-A and he more than held his own, posting a 121 OPS+ in 156 PA.
Brandon Nimmo is "week to week" with whatever he did to his right knee and ankle this past Friday night in yet another game that counted only as much you wish it to.The Mets termed it a low-grade sprain.Nimmo, newly signed for eight years, isn't interested in timetables or diagnoses that indicate anything less than "leading off and playing center field, number nine, Brandon Nimmo" will echo throughout formerly Marlins Park on Thursday March 30 and everywhere else clear to the end of 2030.
Braves News: WBC quarterfinals recap, Michael Soroka update, more
There is just one unclaimed spot in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.Mexico stunned Puerto Rico on Friday night to advance to the semifinals against Japan.USA and Venezuela will square off tonight, with the winner taking on Cuba.Tonight's USA-Venezuela matchup will be an interesting watch for certain, as Venezuela's Ronald Acuña Jr. suits up against several NL East foes in Pete Alonso, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto, and more.