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With six divisions and six wild card teams, you would think baseball would have a lot of drama left with six days to go, but in fact it's all right here: Mets and Barves starting tonight.
Mark Sanchez, psyching up Mets fans for the Post:
ATLANTA — Ahead of the most important weekend of the Mets’ season, here is a look at four keys that could decidetheir series against the Braves — and the NL East:
There is not a better potential 1-2 in baseball than Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer.
There might not have been a better actual 1-2 in baseball in 2022 than Max Fried and Kyle Wright.
DeGrom and Scherzer, with a combined 24 years of big league experience and five Cy Young awards, have been as dominant as advertised — when they pitch. Both have missed significant time because of injuries, and neither qualifies for the ERA title.
The 28-year-old Fried (2.50) and 26-year-old Wright (3.18) have the fourth-best and 13th-best ERAs, respectively, in the league. They have made 29 starts apiece and have been excellent, flanked until recently by rookie Spencer Strider, who is out with an oblique injury, but hopes to return in the postseason.
Will the Mets aces’ careers or the Braves aces’ campaigns prove more important?
Putting the ball in play will be a challenge. The Mets’ staff has struck out 1,504 hitters this season, the most in baseball. A close No. 2? The Braves, with 1,503.
To counter the many expected Ks, will the Mets’ contact-oriented attack or the Braves’ power matter more?
The Mets’ .332 on-base percentage trails only the Dodgers’ .334. The Mets excel at making contact and clawing their way to first base.
The Braves’ 234 home runs this season are second only to the Yankees’ 243. The power comes from everywhere: Eight Atlanta hitters have swatted at least 15 home runs.
Both approaches work — the Mets and Braves are fourth and third, respectively, in runs scored — but they will be tested against top-shelf pitching.
With Starling Marte injured, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor have heated up at the right time.
Alonso has homered in three of his past four games — and nine times in September — and has tallied 10 RBIs in that span, giving him the most in the majors. The first baseman has posted a .924 OPS this month, lifting a lineup that has not been deep recently.
Lindor has helped Alonso carry the weight, with a 13-game hitting streak in which he is batting .333 with 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
For the Mets to win, their stars likely will have to play like stars.
Though the Mets still are weeding out who is a reliable reliever and who is not, Atlanta does not share that problem.
The Braves’ bullpen has been the best in baseball by a sizable margin in September, posting a 1.57 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .151 batting average.
Closer Kenley Jansen, after some hiccups earlier this season, has allowed one run in his past seven innings. Raisel Iglesias has not given up an earned run in 11 ²/₃ innings this month. A.J. Minter has struck out 21 in his past 13 ¹/₃ innings. Dylan Lee has let up two hits and no runs in his past 9 ¹/₃ innings.
The Mets’ offense might be better off pouncing on the Braves’ starters rather than trying to wear them down: The guys behind the aces are good, too.
 |  |  |  |  |
| Jarred Kelenic | Marcus Semien | Mitch Haniger | Shohei Ohtani | Carlos Rodon |
Sep 29, 2022 Top Performers
Pitchers:
Shohei Ohtani (LAA): 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 10 K, 87 GmSc
Carlos Rodon (SFG): 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 10 K, 78 GmSc
Eric Lauer (MIL): 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 9 K, 74 GmSc
Jeffrey Springs (TBR): 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 71 GmSc
Cal Quantrill (CLE): 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K, 66 GmSc
| | | | |
| Jarred Kelenic | Marcus Semien | Mitch Haniger | Shohei Ohtani | Carlos Rodon |
Sep 29, 2022 Top Performers
Batters:
Jarred Kelenic (SEA): 2-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R
Marcus Semien (TEX): 2-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
Mitch Haniger (SEA): 2-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
Taylor Ward (LAA): 3-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
J.D. Martinez (BOS): 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Wander Franco (TBR): 2-3, 1 R, 2 SB
Javier Baez (DET): 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Tucker Barnhart (DET): 3-3, 2 RBI, 1 R
Willi Castro (DET): 2-2, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
Ford Proctor (SFG): 1-2, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R
Brewers fall to 5-5 in their last ten but are only a half game back of the Phillies, who have lost 7 of 10.
Freddy Peralta (P) MIL - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=14194
Peralta (4-4) blew the save and took the loss in Thursday's 4-2 loss against Miami. He allowed four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out three over 1.2 innings.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Peralta entered Thursday's game up 2-0 in the seventh inning as a reliever and set down the side in order but cost the Brewers the game with a mistake to Avisail Garcia in the eighth. The 26-year-old loaded the bases on a couple of hits and a walk, and then Garcia tagged him for a huge grand slam to put the Marlins up 4-2 and saddle Peralta with his fourth loss of the season. When asked about it post-game, manager Craig Counsell defended his decision to use Peralta out of the bullpen, indicating that Peralta may remain a reliever to close the season.
With less than a week to go and a five-game cushion, "expected" seems a little understated ("series" is wildly overstated) but for many of us, there's still the regular season to play and the three final days could decide it all.
Julio Rodriguez (OF) SEA - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=15064
Rodriguez (back) is slated to return to baseball activities Thursday and continues to aim for activation Monday when first eligible, Brandon Gustafson of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The news comes directly from general manager Jerry Dipoto, who's lending further credence to the possibility of Rodriguez missing the minimal amount of time required by his IL stint. Dipoto added the decision to sideline Rodriguez temporarily was mostly precautionary, and the outfielder has reported feeling better each day thus far. The star rookie's ability to get some at-bats in over the final days of the regular season before the Mariners' expected wild-card series would naturally be a benefit for his timing at the plate, and it would serve as a platform to further corroborate his back is at full health.
Sean Manaea (P) SD - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=12948
Manaea did not factor into the decision Thursday versus the Dodgers, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three and walking none in four innings.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manaea worked behind an opener Thursday, and the role appeared to suit him well. He'd given up five runs across his previous 8.2 innings entering the contest, but he had better results this time despite throwing only 38 of 62 pitches for strikes. The southpaw has a 5.15 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 150:49 K:BB across 152 innings through 29 outings this year, though his second-half struggles likely mean he'll operate out of the bullpen during the Padres' playoff run.
Tough loss for the Brewer's, who remain a half game behind the Phillies for the last ticket to the postseason.
Eric Lauer (P) MIL - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=14263
Lauer did not factor into the decision against the Marlins Thursday, firing five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and just one hit allowed.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After needing 66 pitches to get through 2.2 innings in his return from the IL in his last start, Lauer bounced back in a big way by holding Miami to one hit. He needed just 71 pitches to complete five innings and record nine strikeouts, his highest total since July 4. The bullpen went on to blow the game and cost Lauer the win.
He's healthy and ready to play in the Mariners' first playoff game since...
Ichiro's rookie year.
Mitch Haniger (OF) SEA - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=12491
Haniger went 2-for-5 with a pair of two-run home runs in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Rangers in extra innings.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Haniger accounted for the Mariners' first four runs, homering in the first and third innings. He's produced multiple hits in four of his last seven games, but the power show is encouraging after he went 25 contests without a homer. The right fielder is up to nine long balls, 31 RBI, 27 runs scored and a .239/.301/.405 slash line through 52 games this year.
Jon Gray (P) TEX - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=12937
Gray allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Thursday.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Gray was back to struggling Thursday after throwing five one-hit innings in his previous start. The 30-year-old gave up two home runs to Mitch Haniger and another long ball to Jarred Kelenic, all of which plated two runs. Gray's ERA spiked to 3.93 with a 1.15 WHIP and 131:39 K:BB through 121.1 innings across 23 starts this year. The right-hander is expected to end his season with a home start versus the Yankees next week.
.250 is very respectable when the league batting average is .243.
Adolis Garcia (OF) TEX - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=14541
Garcia went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 10-9 extra-innings loss to the Mariners.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Garcia hit just .211 (8-for-38) with a triple, two doubles, four RBI, five runs and a stolen base in 11 games since his last homer. The outfielder has enjoyed a productive 2022 campaign with 26 homers, 25 stolen bases, 97 RBI, 86 runs scored, 31 doubles and five triples in 149 contests. He's also slashed a respectable .250/.301/.454 across 632 plate appearances.
Tucker Barnhart (C) DET - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=12851
Barnhart went 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and two RBI in Thursday's 10-3 win over the Royals.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Barnhart is batting just .221 this season, but he managed to provide a nice offensive boost Thursday. It was the catcher's fourth three-hit effort of the year and his second this month. Barnhart may see a few more starts in relief of Eric Haase before the season wraps up.
Dylan Floro (P) MIA - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=14457
Floro picked up the save Thursday against the Brewers. He allowed one walk and no hits with one punchout in a scoreless inning.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Floro has emerged as Miami's top option in the ninth inning recently and Thursday was no exception. He entered the game up 4-2 in the ninth and worked around a walk to record his ninth save of the season. Over his last 10 appearances dating back to Sept. 9, Floro has recorded six saves while allowing just one earned run over 9.1 innings.
Javier Assad (P) CHI-N - Sep. 29
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=15233
Assad (2-2) tossed five scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Phillies. He allowed five hits and two walks, while striking out three.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Assad entered the night with a 6.23 ERA across his last four starts, but he looked sharper against Philadelphia and picked up his second win of the season. The rookie was limited to just 80 pitches, as the Cubs seem focused on not pushing the 25-year-old too much in his debut campaign. Assad is lined up to start the season finale Wednesday against the Reds, and he could be in the mix for a rotation spot to begin 2023, depending on what Chicago does in the offseason.
Rotoworld:
9.29: Ranger Suárez surrendered two runs over six innings on Thursday in a
Rotoworld:
09.29: Jeffrey Springs allowed just three hits in six shutout innings, but
Only two players since integration have had a traditional and SABRmetric Triple Crown along with leading the league in Runs scored. Frank Robinson and Carl Yastrzemski. Judge has a chance to do it this year and he would also lead the league in walks as well.
The only one who can prevent a traditional and SABRmetric Triple Crown at this point, Arraez has not given up. He went 2-4 today and is back up to .315.
The New York Post:
“I would never ever bring a glove other than this situation,” Frankie Lasagna, caught on camera grabbing his head after missing out on the catch told the Canadian Press. “I needed a bigger one.”
The longball, a 394-foot two-run shot in the top of the seventh, put the Yankees ahead, 5-3. Lasagna, a restaurant owner, bought his front-row ticket with designs on catching the historic ball.
“In the front row I felt like you’ve got the best chance,” he said. “Lo and behold, I was just a few feet away.”
Aaron Judge Hits 61st Home Run!
Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run of the season, tying Roger Maris for the AL single-season record.
Major league single season home run leaderboard:
| Player | HR | Season | Team | Lg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Bonds | 73 | 2001 | SFG | NL |
| Mark McGwire | 70 | 1998 | STL | NL |
| Sammy Sosa | 66 | 1998 | CHC | NL |
| Mark McGwire | 65 | 1999 | STL | NL |
| Sammy Sosa | 64 | 2001 | CHC | NL |
| Sammy Sosa | 63 | 1999 | CHC | NL |
| Aaron Judge | 61 | 2022 | NYY | AL |
| Roger Maris | 61 | 1961 | NYY | AL |
| Babe Ruth | 60 | 1927 | NYY | AL |
See the full list on Stathead.com
Judge is also still on course to win the AL Triple Crown. He currently holds a narrow lead over Luis Arraez for the AL Batting title:
| Rk | Player | BA | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Judge | .313 | NYY |
| 2 | Luis Arraez | .313 | MIN |
| 3 | Xander Bogaerts | .309 | BOS |
| 4 | Nathaniel Lowe | .305 | TEX |
| 5 | José Abreu | .305 | CHW |
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Cal Raleigh (C) SEA - Sep. 30
https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=15518
Raleigh hit a solo home run in his only at-bat in Friday's 2-1 win over the Athletics.
ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Raleigh put an official end to the Mariners' 21-year playoff drought with his walkoff blast in the ninth inning. The catcher entered the game as a pinch hitter for Luis Torrens. Raleigh has three homers in his last six games.