Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Rangers play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Friday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.
5 things to watch
Jacob deGrom's return
For the first time since leaving via free agency after the 2022 season, deGrom will face the Mets.
The 37-year-old, who had Tommy John surgery during the 2023 campaign, has been terrific this year — but he's not quite at the same heights he was at in New York.
In 27 starts over 155.2 innings this season, deGrom has a 2.78 ERA (3.54 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with 169 strikeouts (a rate of 9.8 per nine).
Before leaving via free agency, deGrom was coming off a pair of injury-riddled seasons, and the Mets seemingly didn't make much of an effort to bring him back. That decision felt prudent when deGrom threw just 41.0 innings combined during his first two years in Texas.
During his time in New York, deGrom wasn't just the best pitcher in baseball. He was an almost unbelievable force. From 2018 to 2021, he went on a run of excellence that was almost impossible to believe. In 91 starts over 581.0 innings, deGrom had a 1.94 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while striking out 774 batters. He won a pair of Cy Youngs (in 2018 and 2019) and was coasting toward a third in 2021 (1.08 ERA in his first 92.0 innings) before injuries derailed his year.
Where is the offense?
During their six-game losing streak, the Mets have scored just 15 runs — an average of 2.5 per game.
As they were swept out of Philadelphia on Thursday, the Mets plated four runs in the first inning and then proceeded to do literally nothing for the rest of the game.
In the process, the Mets became the first team in the modern era to score four or more runs in the first inning, have no one reach base for the remainder of the game, and lose.
The only consistent presence in the lineup during this skid has been Juan Soto, who has remained hot. Otherwise, it's been lots of weak contact and strikeouts.
It's all on the kids in the rotation
One of the main culprits of the Mets' swoon since June has been inconsistent starting pitching.
Specifically, their veteran starters have been largely ineffective in terms of both run prevention and the ability to provide length.
A breath of fresh air has been provided by rookies Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat, and it's those three youngsters who will be leaned on to help the Mets rise from the doldrums against Texas.
Tong gets the start on Friday, followed by Sproat on Saturday and McLean on Sunday.
McLean has been especially impressive since making his debut, with a 1.42 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 31.2 innings.
The out of town scoreboard
When the Mets won the first game of their series against the Reds last weekend, it seemed that they were on their way to coasting to the playoffs.
But their six-game skid has made things murky.
Entering play on Friday, the Mets are just 1.5 games up on the Giants and Reds for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League.
The Mets hold the tiebreaker over the Giants, but it's the Reds who hold the tiebreaker over the Mets.
As New York battles Texas, Cincinnati faces the Athletics in Sacramento, while San Francisco hosts the Dodgers.
Rangers are hot amid late playoff push
While they're on the outside looking in when it comes to the AL West and the Wild Card race, the Rangers are making things interesting.
By going 7-3 over their last 10 games and reeling off four straight wins, the Rangers are in position to pounce.
They trail both the Mariners and Astros by 2.0 games for the division lead.
In the Wild Card chase, the Rangers are 2.0 games back of the third and final spot.
The Rangers are undermanned offensively right now, though, without Corey Seager (appendectomy) and Marcus Semien (foot).
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Lindor, like most of his teammates, has been in a cold snap. But he has a knack for stepping up in big spots.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Nolan McLean
It's McLean until proven otherwise. His stuff and mettle have been a sight to see.
Which Rangers player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Jake Burger
Burger is having a solid season and blasted two homers against the Brewers on Wednesday.
