The Mets (81-74, 4.5 GB for second Wild Card) open a four-game series against the Marlins at Citi Field on Monday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY. 

Here's what happened Sunday, in case you missed it....

The Mets made their four-run first inning stand up as they finished off a 4-2 road trip with a 6-3 win over the Reds on Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati >> Read more

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Anthony Kay, Blue Jays

After two no-decision starts, including Sept. 13's 4.1-inning struggle against the Yankees, Kay bounced back in last Thursday's outing at Baltimore. In his first career appearance as an MLB reliever, the southpaw logged 4.0 innings from the third frame all the way through the sixth, limiting the Orioles to two runs on four hits with three strikeouts to one walks. At the end of Toronto's 8-4 victory, Kay was credited with his first career win. Through three games (two starts), Kay is 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA and 13 strikeouts to five walks over 14.0 innings.

On Episode 4 of "Game On," presented by GEICO, Mets OF Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil go for the gold as they compete in Office Olympics!

Who's going to come away with the win?

In this episode of The Amazin' Life, Mets third baseman Todd Frazier welcomes back Brandon Nimmo. And since he's been gone awhile, Frazier wanted to catch the outfielder up on some things he might have missed...

RHP Marcus Storman battled into his way into the fifth inning before he exited Sunday's game early, leaving the final four-plus frames in the hands of the bullpen and putting the Mets' series finale in jeopardy.

The four Mets relievers, however, collectively answered the call for Stroman and manager Mickey Callaway.

With insurance home runs on solo shots from OFs J.D. Davis and Brandon Nimmo, the Mets kept control of the lead established off the offense's four-run first inning and recorded the 6-3 win to secure the three-game set against the Reds (73-83).

Michael Conforto's three-run home run came early and made the difference in the game, as the Mets defeated the Reds by a final score of 6-3 on Sunday. >> Box score

Six Takeaways from Sunday's game

1) The Mets did the majority of their damage in the first inning of Sunday's game and it proved to be enough offensive firepower for the victory. Robinson Cano knocked in Pete Alonso with an RBI double before Conforto delievered the game's big blow, a three-run homer off of Trevor Bauer to give the Mets a 4-0 lead. Conforto blasted a Trevor Bauer fastball deep into the seats in right for his 31st home run of the year.

When J.D. Davis took a Trevor Bauer fastball over the wall in right for a solo homer in the sixth inning Sunday, he became the fifth Mets player to hit his 20th home run of the season. 

That marks the first time in franchise history the team has had five players crack the 20-homer plateau. 

Mets second baseman Robinson Cano left Sunday's game against the Reds, after his left foot was hit by a pitch in the third inning. 

X-Rays on Cano's left toe came back negative, the Mets said. In the meantime, J.D. Davis entered the game for Cano, heading into left field, with Jeff McNeil taking over at second base.

Cano hit an RBI double in his first at-bat in the first inning before exiting the game.

After Robinson Cano got the Mets on the board with an RBI double in the first, Michael Conforto delievered the big blow, a three-run homer off of Trevor Bauer to give his team a 4-0 lead.

Pete Alonso collected the Mets' first hit of the game on Sunday, a double down the left field line in the top of the first inning against the Reds. In doing so, he became the first rookie in major league history to hit 50 home runs and 30 doubles in the same season.

Alonso's 50th homer of the season came on Friday when the 24-year-old launched his third homer in as many games.

The Mets (80-74, 4.5 GB for second Wild Card) wrap up their three-game series with the Reds (73-82, 15.0 GB in NL Central) Sunday at 1:10 p.m. at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. 

Mets Notes

Since being activated, Brandon Nimmo has reached safely in 28 of his 60 plate appearances, posting a .279/.467/.628 slashline in 18 games... Seth Lugo has struck out 100 in 76.0 innings, which places him tied for second in the NL in strikeouts as a reliever this season... The Mets haven't lost a season series to the Reds since 2013, a streak which will be on the line Sunday as the teams have split the first six games they have played against each other this season... Seven Mets have recorded 50 or more RBI this season, tying a franchise record.

Citi and SNY bring you the Top 10 Moments in Citi Field history!

After a fan vote, coming in at No. 7 is Daniel Murphy hitting a huge home run in the NLCS on Oct 17, 2015.

The Mets (80-74, 15.0 GB in NL East, 4.5 GB for second Wild Card) wrap up their three-game series against the Reds (73-82, 15.0 GB in NL Central, 12.0 GB for second Wild Card) Sunday at 1:10 p.m. from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

Here's what happened Saturday, in case you missed it....

The Mets fell to the Reds 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, allowing the game-winning run to score in the eighth inning.  >> Read more

Adeiny Hechavarria was DFA'd by the Mets in a salary move in early August. That helped him land with the Atlanta Braves. 

A move he's more than thankful for. 

The utility infielder for the Braves said following the Braves' 8-1 win over the Giants on Saturday he's thanking a higher power

Heading into Saturday's meeting with the Cincinnati Reds, Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler had been dealing as of late. 

Wheeler had only allowed one earned run in his last four-straight outings.

Make it five.

With just a handful of games remaining on the schedule, every single game is crucial for the Mets as they look to make one final push towards a potential Wild Card spot.

But Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Reds was a crushing blow, as the Mets wasted a great outing by Zack Wheeler and squandered run-scoring opportunities with men on base, losing to a team that's been near the basement of the NL Central all season long.  

"It hurts," Mickey Callaway said after the game. "We had multiple chances. I think the way we lost hurts. We had a couple of mistakes in the field and then we had plenty of chances at the plate, we just didn't come through. I think we struck out on almost every chance we had with runners in scoring position. We needed a sac fly here, just touch the ball there, and we just didn't get it done."

The Mets fell to the Reds 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, allowing the game-winning run to score in the eighth inning. >> Box score

Five Takeaways from Saturday's game

1) Zack Wheeler gave up two early runs, but he settled in nicely. The first three batters of the game reached off the right-hander, as a fielding error from Todd Frazier loaded the bases with nobody out. Aristides Aquino and Jose Iglesias then each recorded RBI singles. Wheeler would then retire the next two hitters to work his way out of any more trouble. 

2) The Mets got on the board in the third inning after avoiding potential disaster. After Todd Frazier singled to get things started, Amed Rosario roped a ball into the right-center gap for a hit. Frazier was held at third, but Rosario kept running towards third anyway. The Reds got the ball to the plate, but Rosario was quickly able to scramble back to second base safely. Wheeler then grounded out to second, but Frazier came in to score the Mets' first run. 

The Mets (80-73, 3.5 GB for second Wild Card) continue their three-game series with the Reds (72-82, 15.0 GB in NL Central) when they resume action Saturday at 4:10 p.m. from Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Mets Notes

After five scoreless innings between both sides to start Friday's game, the Mets made the most of another gem from ace RHP Jacob deGrom (10-8, 2.51 ERA) with Jeff McNeil's sixth-inning solo home run to get the offense on the board before seven more runs over the final three frames buried the Reds in the 8-1 series-opening win. J.D. Davis is one home run shy of 20 for the first time in his third-year career -- he has slashed .302/.366/.505 in 132 games -- which would group him with Pete Alonso (50), Michael Conforto (30), McNeil (23) and Todd Frazier (22) among the Mets' single-season franchise-record number of players with 20-plus home runs in a season. RHP Seth Lugo (7-4, 2.75 ERA) has 99 strikeouts in 75.1 innings, which is good for third among NL relievers. Should he notch his 100th strikeout of the season, Lugo would do so for the second straight year after fanning 103 in 2018. The century mark for Lugo would double as the Mets' fifth reliever in franchise history to reach the milestone.

Citi and SNY bring you the Top 10 Moments in Citi Field history!

After a fan vote, coming in at No. 8 is when the Mets retired Mike Piazza's No. 31 on July 30, 2016.

After the past two weeks featured mixed performances with Noah Syndergaard and Wilson Ramos as the Mets -- from general manager Brodie Van Wagenen to manager Mickey Callaway -- mulled the pitcher-catcher combination, Ramos has broken his silence.

Before the Mets' 8-1 win Friday against the Reds from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, he sat down with Mike Puma of the New York Post and defused any further drama that could be tied to him and Syndergaard.

Poor results from Syndergaard's starts with Ramos at catcher most recently led to the Mets' decision Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies, starting Rene Rivera but still struggling despite the team's 7-4 win.

The Mets have come back from the brink to put themselves firmly in Wild Card contention. Here's everything you need to know about the state of the race...

Nationals (84-68, 1.0 game ahead for first Wild Card)

Next up: @ Marlins, Saturday at 6:10 p.m. (RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Jordan Yamamoto)
Latest result: 6-4 win over Marlins on Friday
Current odds to make playoffs: 96.4 percent
Latest news: 3B Anthony Rendon is among the NL MVP race amid the Nats' postseason surge

The Mets (80-73, 14.0 GB in NL East, 3.5 GB for second Wild Card) continue their three-game series against the Reds (72-82, 15.0 GB in NL Central, 12.0 GB for second Wild Card) Saturday at 4:10 p.m. from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

Here's what happened Friday, in case you missed it....

After five scoreless innings, the Mets drew first blood in the sixth and added seven runs through the next three frames to take the 8-1 opener against the Reds  >> Read more

With the regular season winding down, Jacob deGrom continues to pitch himself towards a second straight Cy Young Award.

Friday night's 8-1 Mets' win over the Reds was just the latest example of deGrom's flat-out brilliance, as the right-hander struck out nine over seven shutout innings, allowing just four singles. 

DeGrom has now gone at least seven innings in 12 of his last 14 starts. During that span, he's pitched 94.0 innings and allowed just 17 earned runs while striking out 120 hitters.

Pete Alonso became just the second rookie in baseball history to hit 50 home runs, slamming a 437-foot two-run home run deep into the Ohio night in Friday's 8-1 win over the Reds, his 50th of his stellar rookie campaign.

"I touched that one up pretty good," Alonso said after the game. 

Alonso passed Mark McGwire to move into sole possession of second place on the all-time rookie home run list. He now trails Aaron Judge's all-time record by just two home runs with nine regular season games remaining. 

Mets ace Jacob deGrom is one of the top contenders to win the 2019 NL Cy Young. If he does, it would give him back-to-back Cy Young awards -- making him the first Met to ever accomplish that feat. Here's where things stand in the race...

Jacob deGrom, Mets

Key stats: 2.51 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 248 K's (11.3 per 9) in 197 IP (30 starts), 6.2 WAR (FanGraphs), 6.3 WAR (Baseball Reference)
Last start: Pitched 7.0 shutout innings against the Reds, striking out nine while allowing just four singles on Sept. 20
Next start: Sept. 25 vs. Marlins
Trending: UP, having allowed just one earned runs in 21.0 innings over his last three starts, dropping his WHIP under 1.00 on the season.

The Mets kept their Wild Card hopes alive as they beat the Reds 8-1 on Friday night. >> Box score

Five Takeaways from Friday's game

1) Pete Alonso became the first and only player in Mets team history to hit 50 home runs in a single season. The likely NL Rookie of the Year destroyed a low and away 2-2 pitch to right center field in the top of the eighth inning to give the Mets a 5-0 lead. He joins the Yankees' Aaron Judge as just the second rookie in MLB history to reach 50 home runs in a season.

The Mets (79-73, 3.5 GB for second Wild Card) start their three-game series with the Reds (72-81, 14.0 GB in NL Central) at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Mets Notes

The Mets beat the Rockies 7-4 on Wednesday afternoon thanks to a ninth inning rally. The team scored four runs to take the lead including an RBI single from Seth Lugo. Starting on the mound was Noah Syndergaard, who lasted 5.2 innings after allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks. Rene Rivera was the catcher for Syndergaard, and ended up going 0-for-3 from the plate. Wilson Ramos will be back in the lineup against the Reds, as the catcher is batting .293 on the season.

In addition to the Mets needing to finish hot in hopes of snatching the final Wild Card spot, it would help GM Brodie Van Wagenen's off-season strategy if the following four players finished strong as well:

Edwin Diaz

The difference between Diaz being a bust or being the closer he was for Seattle in 2018 will determine whether Van Wagenen feels the need to spend big this winter on another reliever.

Not even Tom Seaver won back-to-back Cy Young Awards, so perhaps that gives you an idea of how difficult it is to achieve what Jacob deGrom just might do by the end of this season.

But while the Mets ace has been masterful -- again -- this year, he's not as clearly the best pitcher in the National League the way he was in 2018. The rest of his season, beginning with his start Friday night in Cincinnati, will have a massive impact on whether deGrom hoists another trophy.

In taking a look at how he can get it done, let's start with this: deGrom is in terrific shape in this race. He leads the NL in multiple important categories -- strikeouts, WHIP, bWAR and lowest opponent OPS. He's second in FIP (fielding independent pitching), third in ERA and fifth in both innings and ERA-plus.

One of the top prospects in the Mets' farm system is now officially on the national radar.

Francisco Alvarez -- the No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 catcher in New York's organization, according to MLB Pipeline's 2019 Prospect Watch -- cracked Baseball America's updated list of top 100 prospects Friday.

"The Mets' top international signing last year, Alvarez's defense and power improved dramatically in his first year of pro ball and have turned him into one of the most promising all-around young catchers in the minors," Baseball America said.

Mets legend Ed Kranepool discusses his life after baseball, including travel, work, and the kidney transplant he had in 2019.

On Thursday, MLB.com named Mark Vientos as the Mets' Hitting Prospect of the Year.

Vientos' stats from this past season are not overly impressive as he hit .255 with a .300 OBP, 12 home runs and 27 doubles in 111 games in Single A. However, at just 19 years old and two years removed from being a senior in high school, because he made improvements and completed his first 100-game season, he is finally getting the recognition he deserves as a potential big-league third baseman.

"He's as close to a professional hitter as you'll find in the minors," a team insider told me during spring training. "He's got raw power, but needs to start going the other way more and reduce the hitch in his swing, which is something coaches will work on with him this spring."

Citi and SNY bring you the Top 10 Moments in Citi Field history!

After a fan vote, coming in at No. 9 is Matt Harvey starting the MLB All-Star Game on July 16, 2013.

While the Mets' focus down the September stretch of the 2019 regular season remains on the final push for the postseason, two key catalysts for the team's contention since April are on a potential path to history.

Before New York starts the second half of its six-game road trip with the weekend's three-game series Friday at 7:10 p.m. against the Reds from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, 1B Pete Alonso and RHP Jacob deGrom have made strong cases for two of the NL's top awards.

DeGrom (9-8, 2.61 ERA), who takes the mound Friday for the Mets against the Reds and RHP Luis Castillo (15-6, 3.22 ERA), and Alonso are respectively in consideration for the NL CY Young and Rookie of the Year.

Citi and SNY bring you the Top 10 Moments in Citi Field history!

After a fan vote, coming in at No. 10 is Jacob deGrom closing out his Cy Young campaign on Sept. 26, 2018.

After blasting homers in his last two games -- including his MLB-leading 49th of the season on Wednesday -- Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is now on pace to tie Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge's rookie home run record of 52.

Judge hit those 52 homers for the Yankees in 2017 during a season where he slashed .284/.422/.627 and finished second in American League MVP voting to Jose Altuve. 

With 10 games left in the season, Alonso is now projected to hit 52 homers, according to ESPN.

Pete Alonso is having one of the best seasons by a position player in Mets history.

He's already set numerous records, and since he should get another 40 at-bats or so this season, he will likely hit his 50th home run (and possibly more) before all is said and done.

He better win Rookie of the Year.

The Mets have come back from the brink to put themselves firmly in Wild Card contention. Here's everything you need to know about the state of the race...

Nationals (83-68, 1.5 games up for first Wild Card)

Next up: @ Marlins, Friday at 7:10 p.m. (Anibal Sanchez vs. Robert Dugger)
Latest result: 5-1 win loss to Cardinals on Wednesday
Current odds to make playoffs: 93.7 percent
Latest news: Sean Doolittle is still a work in progress

Cubs (82-70, tied with Brewers for second Wild Card)

Next up: vs. Cardinals, Thursday at 7:15 p.m. (Kyle Hendricks vs. Jack Flaherty)
Latest result: 3-2 loss to Reds on Wednesday 
Current odds to make playoffs: 58.2 percent
Latest news: Anthony Rizzo is dealing with an ankle injury

The Mets (79-73, 3.0 GB of second Wild Card) are off on Thursday before opening a three-game series against the Reds on Friday night in Cincinnati. 

Here's what happened on Wednesday, in case you missed it....

The Mets entered the top of the ninth inning on Wednesday trailing by a run. They then plated four runs to take a 7-4 lead before hanging on to beat the Rockies -- taking two of three games in Colorado >> Read more

Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard says he's tried everything to help his trademark slider this season, but things just haven't come around. Now he's even casually mentioning maybe famed therapist and talk show host, Dr. Phil, can help.

Syndergaard was pleased his teammates bailed him out on Wednesday with a 7-4 comeback win in the ninth against the Colorado Rockies. He only tossed 5.2 innings while striking out six, but he allowed four runs on 10 hits and two walks in the outing, one he called "pretty disappointing." Seth Lugo picked up the win in relief. 

The reason he pointed to for his struggles was the slider, a pitch he hasn't had confidence in this season, at times. That's where he's requesting Dr. Phillip McGraw's help came into play. 

From here on out, every single game remaining on the Mets' schedule is an important one.

And just as it looked like Wednesday's game against the Rockies was slipping out of their grasp, the Mets rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth inning to come away with a 7-4 win over the Rockies, winning two of three in Denver.

The inning began with a leadoff walk from pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos. JD Davis quickly singled into right, moving pinch-runner Juan Lagares to third. Brandon Nimmo then singled through the right side to tie the game 4-4 and keep the gears in motion.

The Mets (79-73) rallied again to top the Rockies (66-87) in their rubber match, 7-4. >> Box score

Six Takeaways from Wednesday's game

1) The comeback kids struck again on Wednesday. With a four-run final inning, the Mets rallied to beat the Rockies, 7-4. Wilson Ramos pinch hit to start the rally with a walk, then JD Davis and Brandon Nimmo singled, the second which of which tied the game at four.

The ensuing at-bat saw the Mets load the bases as Jeff McNeil walked. Excitement filled the air for the Mets as Pete Alonso then walked to the plate, but instead of swinging, he walked on four-straight pitches, which brought in the game-winning run. Later in the inning, Robinson Cano hit into a sloppy looking double play, but it also scored a run, as did a shocking at-bat. Seth Lugo's first time hitting this year saw him knock an RBI single, to bring the score to 7-4. 

With one swing, Pete Alonso made some more Mets history on Wednesday afternoon in Colorado.

Alonso tied Mark McGwire's rookie home run record with his 49th blast of the season -- a shot to left field to bring the Mets within one. It was also the Mets' 225th homer as a team this season, setting a new franchise record...

Before that, Jeff McNeil showed off more power at the plate when he dropped his bat head and launched a curveball over the right field fence to the second deck...

The Mets (78-73, 4.0 GB for second Wild Card) wrap up their three-game series with the Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Wednesday at 3:10 p.m. on SNY.

"Rain Delay Theater: The Podcast" drops a new episode as Steve Gelbs and Wayne Randazzo who are joined by J.D Davis! 

Davis discusses the mentality and leadership roles the younger Mets players are taking on as well as how he idolized the legendary David Wright and still has the goal to be the Mets starting third baseman. 

Subscribe to the show HERE or HERE

Instead of catering to Noah Syndergaard's request to pitch to Tomas Nido or Rene Rivera -- which they are reportedly doing on Wednesday -- they should be fixing the issue in order to make Wilson Ramos Syndergaard's top choice.

Bobby Valentine says it will take more than the just two players to resolve the issue.

"It's not just a player situation. It's a situation that involves the whole team," Valentine told me when recording the former Mets manager's new podcast, The Bobby V Experience. "I would involve the pitching coach, the catching coach, the catchers, and maybe a pitcher or two that understand where Syndergaard is coming from and figure out the true problem because sometimes it's only a make-shift problem."

The Mets (78-73, 4.0 GB of second Wild Card) wrap up their three-game series against the Rockies at Coors Field in Colorado on Wednesday at 3:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what happened on Tuesday, in case you missed it....

Marcus Stroman fired 7.0 scoreless innings in what was his best start as a Met, and the offense came alive as New York topped the Rockies, 6-1, on Tuesday night to draw within 4.0 games of the second Wild Card spot >> Read more

This is exactly the Marcus Stroman the Mets thought they were getting at the trade deadline.

After a string of up-and down starts to begin his Mets career, the right-hander was dominant on Tuesday night at Coors Field, tossing seven shutout innings in the Mets' 6-1 victory.

Stroman allowed just four hits, all singles, and only allowed one runner in scoring position all night. He kept the ball down and threw 61 of his 95 pitches for strikes, as he struck out seven while walking just one.

The Mets defeated the Rockies 6-1 on Tuesday night at Coors Field.  Box score

Five Takeaways from Tuesday's game

1) Marcus Stroman pitched what was easily his best game as a Met. The right-hander breezed through seven innings, allowing just four hits and holding the Rockies scoreless in the notoriously batter-friendly Coors Field. All four hits allowed by Stroman were singles, and the Rockies only moved one runner into scoring position against Stroman all night. Stroman's previous start against Arizona, when he went 6.1 and allowed just one earned, combined with Tuesday's strong outing should give Mets fans a lot to like.