Mets Return Home to Face Diamondbacks After Rollercoaster Series

Flushing, New York — The New York Mets return to Citi Field to host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series beginning Tuesday after a challenging split series in Washington, D.C.

Holding a 20-9 record, the Mets faced ups and downs over the weekend as they grappled with the Nationals. After an impressive seven-game winning streak, they suffered two walk-off losses before bouncing back with a decisive victory to end the series.

Friday’s opener saw the Mets battle back from an early deficit, taking the lead in the eighth inning, only to lose it in the ninth. An overturned call on a non-reviewable “triple play” sparked controversy, adversely affecting the Mets’ chances to secure the win.

On Saturday, however, it was Francisco Alvarez‘s strong performance, including a two-run homer, that drove the Mets to a solid win. Clay Holmes pitched effectively, allowing the Mets to secure the victory without a major threat from the Nationals.

In the series finale on Sunday, the Mets exploded offensively, initially jumping to a 5-0 lead. However, the game took a tense turn when Tylor Megill faltered, leading to a five-run inning for the Nationals. The Mets ultimately triumphed 19-5, marking the largest margin of victory this season. Brandon Nimmo etched his name in history with nine RBIs, matching Carlos Delgado’s record for most in a single game.

Despite the two losses, the Mets lead the division with a four-and-a-half game advantage, and both Alvarez and Jeff McNeil’s returns signal a strengthening offense. Juan Soto has also shown improvement, collecting seven hits over five days.

The Mets face a setback, however, with A.J. Minter landing on the injured list due to a lat injury. José Ureña was called up, making his debut but struggled, allowing five earned runs.

The Diamondbacks come into this series with a 15-13 record, currently fourth in a competitive division. They previously enjoyed a hot streak, winning seven of nine games but have recently lost six of nine, including a series against the Braves.

Arizona’s offense remains robust, with Eugenio Suárez leading the National League in home runs and Corbin Carroll leading in multiple categories. The series promises to be interesting, pitting the Mets’ strong pitching against the Diamondbacks’ powerful offense.

As the series unfolds, the Mets aim to build on their winning momentum while addressing their roster challenges following Minter’s injury.