Series Preview: Mets Look to Rebound in Tampa Bay The 2026 MLB season is nearing its conclusion for the New York Mets, with the team all but eliminated from playoff contention. With only a handful of games remaining, the focus has shifted to evaluating players for the 2027 season and ensuring the roster is as competitive as possible. The Mets’ final series of the year begins on Monday against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, a three-game set that will serve as a critical test for the team’s depth and resilience. The series opener on Monday features a matchup between right-handed pitcher Robert Stock and left-handed starter Ian Seymour. Stock, who has struggled in recent starts, allowed ten hits and seven earned runs in his last outing against the Brewers. Despite a solid hard-hit rate of 29.9%, his low strikeout rate (20.2%) and poor command (12.5%) have hindered his effectiveness. To remain in the rotation, Stock must improve his ability to locate pitches and generate swings and misses. In contrast, Seymour has emerged as a strikeout specialist for the Rays, recording 38 strikeouts in August alone. His aggressive approach to the zone, combined with a low walk rate (four walks in August), makes him a formidable opponent for the Mets’ lineup. Tuesday’s game pits left-handed starter Sean Manaea against Freddy Peralta, a former Met now with the Rays. Manaea, who has been inconsistent this season, allowed eight hits and six runs in his most recent start against the Brewers. While he has managed to pitch at least five innings in his last three outings, his low strikeout rate and increased hard contact have limited his impact. Peralta, however, has been dominant since his trade to Tampa Bay, throwing six scoreless innings in his most recent start.#new_york_mets #tampa_bay_rays #robert_stock #ian_seymour #sean_manaea
Mets Target Spoiler Role as Pirates' Playoff Hopes Diminish The New York Mets are on one of their best, albeit brief, runs of the season. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates' playoff chances are fading, as the team has lost four straight games. The Mets will seek a season-high fifth consecutive win when they take on the host Pirates on Saturday night in the second game of a three-game series. New York will send Robert Stock (0-1, 1.80 ERA) to make his second start of the season, against fellow right-hander Bubba Chandler (4-8, 4.49). With the Mets effectively out of the playoff race, they have turned their attention to identifying and evaluating potential key pieces of their future. Rookie Carson Benge is one of them, as he had two key hits in Friday's 6-4 New York victory. Rookie starting pitcher Zac Thornton threw five scoreless innings, and rookie A.J. Ewing had three hits and scored twice. However, the Mets have concerns about Benge, who left the game in the fourth inning with wrist soreness after making a great catch in left field on a fly ball by Ronny Simon. X-rays were negative, but Mets interim manager Andy Green said: "We'll see how he wakes up in the morning and determine if he needs potentially more tests." Benge is hitting .270 with 13 home runs, 46 RBIs and 18 stolen bases in 112 games this season. The veteran Stock, who is in his second stint with the Mets, will make his first career start against the Pirates. He has made two short relief appearances against them, throwing a total of 1 1/3 scoreless innings, walking one batter and hitting another with a pitch. In his first start since being called up from Triple-A Syracuse, Stock threw five innings against the Miami Marlins last Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and striking out four.#new_york_mets #pittsburgh_pirates #carson_benge #bubba_chandler #robert_stock
