Meet the Mets
The Mets’ hapless offense was once again shut out by the Phillies, as they lost 4-0. Aaron Nola was perfect through six and pitched a complete game shutout. José Buttó took the loss, as he and the rest of the Mets’ pitching staff continue to struggle with walks. Buttó walked four in five innings of work and Jake Diekman issued three free passes in just 2⁄3 of an inning in relief. Sean Reid-Foley surrendered two insurance runs to the Phillies in the ninth.
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Adrian Houser, who warmed up in the bullpen during yesterday’s game, will no longer be the starter today as planned. Instead, the Mets will call up Joey Lucchesi to make his season debut.
Lucchesi won’t be the only new face with the team today. Yesterday it was reported that the Mets also plan to recall Mark Vientos from Triple-A. The team plans to designate Joey Wendle for assignment to make room for Vientos on the roster.
Will Sammon of The Athletic digs into why the Mets are choosing now to bring Vientos back.
Sandy Alderson denied being the one who sent an anonymous letter to Major League Baseball tipping them to a scheme to fabricate injuries in order to create roster spots in a conversation with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com took a deep dive into where the Mets’ hitters are shaking out using Baseball Savant’s new bat-tracking metrics.
Around the National League East
Bryce Harper was scratched from yesterday’s game against the Mets with a migraine.
The Marlins defeated the Tigers 1-0 in ten innings.
The Braves blanked the Cubs 7-0, as Chris Sale threw seven shutout innings for Atlanta.
The Nationals split a doubleheader with the White Sox, winning the first game 6-3 and dropping the nightcap 4-0.
Ted Leonsis — CEO of Monumental Sports and owner of the NHL’s Capitals and NBA’s Wizards — continues to be interested in purchasing the Nationals from the Lerner family.
Around Major League Baseball
At The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal wrote about starting pitching’s existential crisis and how the league can save the starting pitcher. He also spoke with Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander and others throughout the game, who shared some insights on the topic.
The Yankees’ bullpen is once again one of the best in baseball, anchored by closer Clay Holmes, who still holds a 0.00 ERA.
Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco, one of the team’s few bright spots so far this season, was ejected after the third inning of Tuesday’s game against the A’s at Minute Maid Park after umpires inspected his glove and found a sticky substance.
Catcher’s interference calls are at an all-time high and Willson Contreras’ gruesome injury he suffered against the Mets underscores the league’s need to act when it comes to the risk catchers are taking in the name of pitch framing, writes Gabe Lacques of USA Today.
This Date in Mets History
If there is any small sign that the Mets’ fortunes may turn around today, it’s that Pat Mahomes beat the Phillies on this date in 1999.