Building Toward Something
Sean Manaea delivered. The Mets’ offense stayed hot and a young core continued giving fans reasons to keep watching.
Friday: July 10
For much of the season, the Mets have searched for something they could build around.
Not a winning streak.
Not a miracle run.
Simply an identity.
One game won’t change the standings, and one week won’t erase months of frustration.
The Mets are still well under .500 and plenty of difficult decisions remain ahead.
But over the last several days, something has begun to take shape.
The New York Mets defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-3 Thursday afternoon before 33,868 fans at Citi Field, taking the rubber game of the three-game series while winning their fourth game in five contests.
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More importantly, they continued showing flashes of a team beginning to establish pieces worth building around.
Kansas City wasted little time grabbing the lead.
Lane Thomas jumped on Sean Manaea’s very first pitch of the afternoon, launching it over the left-field wall before many fans had settled into their seats.
The Mets answered an inning later.
Celebrating his 31st birthday, Jared Young lined an RBI double off former Met Michael Wacha into right field to tie the game at one.
Manaea quickly settled in.
After retiring seven of the next eight hitters, Bobby Witt Jr. briefly put Kansas City back in front with a leadoff home run in the fourth inning.
It would be the last time the Royals led.
The game completely shifted in the fifth.
For the second consecutive day, the Mets batted around and hung a five-run inning on the Royals.
Tyrone Taylor, who entered after Mark Vientos exited with what was later diagnosed as a fractured hand, crushed a game-tying home run to left field.
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It was Taylor’s third consecutive game with a home run and already his sixth of the season despite receiving just 113 at-bats after missing significant time with a hip injury.
Bo Bichette followed with a sacrifice fly to give New York its first lead before Carson Benge continued his impressive rookie campaign, blooping a two-run single into center field with help from a throwing error by Thomas.
Francisco Alvarez capped the inning with an RBI single, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 6-2 advantage in a matter of minutes.
One of the afternoon’s biggest moments came immediately afterward.
After sitting nearly 30 minutes while his teammates batted around, Manaea returned to the mound and fired a perfect sixth inning.
It’s one of baseball’s most underrated moments -- a pitcher answering a long offensive inning with a shutdown frame of his own.
Manaea continued into the seventh before allowing an RBI double to Jac Caglianone after recording two outs.
His afternoon ended with one of his best performances of the season, allowing three runs -- only two earned -- on six hits while walking one and striking out six over seven strong innings.
It was also his first victory as a starter since July 21, 2025
Interim manager Andy Green appreciated more than just the final line.
“He’s been amazing…outings like that set you up to win tomorrow’s baseball game.”
If there was any thought Kansas City might climb back into the game, Juan Soto erased it almost immediately.
The National League OPS leader answered with a towering 435-foot blast into the right-center field seats, his 21st home run of the season and second of the series.
Over his last 25 games, Soto is hitting .354 with eight home runs, 20 RBIs and a sizzling 1.229 OPS.
The bullpen handled the rest.
Huascar Brazobàn pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts and Devin Williams worked a scoreless ninth to finish off the series victory.
The numbers continue piling up.
The Mets have now scored six or more runs in five consecutive games, totaling 42 runs during that stretch.
They’ve homered in 11 straight games.
Manaea became the fourth different Mets starter to work at least seven innings this season.
Meanwhile, the outfield has defiantly become one of the strengths of the roster.
Benge finished the series 6-for-9 with five runs scored, four walks and two stolen bases.
Ewing went 7-for-14 with two home runs and seven runs scored.
Since Ewing made his Major League debut on May 12, the Mets’ starting outfield has produced:
🔶 Juan Soto: .314 AVG | 17 HR | 1.079 OPS
🔷 Carson Benge: .301 AVG | 8 HR | .816 OPS
🔶 A.J. Ewing: .277 AVG | 7 HR | .801 OPS
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Young summed up what this lineup feels like when everyone is contributing.
“It’s incredible.”
No, Thursday’s win doesn’t suddenly change where the Mets sit in the standings.
It doesn’t erase the frustrating first half, nor does it guarantee what the next few weeks will bring.
But it does reinforce something that has become harder to ignore.
Manaea has stabilized a rotation desperate for consistency.
Soto is playing like one of the best hitters on the planet.
Benge and Ewing continue proving they belong.
The offense has finally found sustained in production.
Whether this group ultimately wins more games or not this summer, the foundation for what comes next remains to be seen.
But after watching this series, one thing feels increasingly clear.
The Mets may not be where they want to be.
They’re finally beginning to build toward something.
🧦 Red Sox Series Preview 🧦
By Donald Cucuzzella
An abysmal first half of the season for the Mets is almost over.
Before the All-Star break arrives, New York has one final opportunity to head into the mini hiatus with some momentum as the red-hot Boston Red Sox come to Citi Field.
Boston enters the weekend riding a six-game winning streak after completing a three-game sweep of the White Sox on Thursday afternoon.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Friday (7:15 PM ET)
Nolan McLean (6-5, 3.73 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (10-1, 2.61 ERA)
Saturday (4:10 PM ET)
Freddy Peralta (5-7, 4.68 ERA) vs. TBD
Sunday (1:40 PM ET)
TBD vs. Payton Tolle (5-6, 3.14 ERA)
The Red Sox have completely turned their season around.
Since sweeping their longtime rivals, the Yankees, they’ve won 11 of their last 13 games and have firmly inserted themselves back into the American League Wild Card race.
Boston has been led by its controversial first baseman, Willson Contreras.
Although Contreras will be serving a suspension during this series, the All-Star is hitting .285 with a .921 OPS, 20 home runs and 61 RBIs this season.
Sonny Gray has also turned back the clock.
After posting a 4.28 ERA last season, the veteran right-hander is 10-1 with a sparkling 2.61 ERA while holding opponents to a .229 batting average over 16 starts.
For the Mets, however, the biggest date circled on the calendar isn’t the All-Star break.
It’s the trade deadline.
Much of the conversation over the next few weeks will revolve around who New York should move and who they should keep as they continue trying to reshape the organization.
Freddy Peralta is one of the more intriguing names.
His overall numbers (5-7, 4.68 ERA) haven’t been what the Mets hoped for, but starting pitching is always in demand at the deadline. Saturday’s outing could be another opportunity to increase his value before August 3.
Another player to watch is Luke Weaver.
The Mets have said they don’t want to be overly aggressive at the deadline because they still believe this roster is capable of bouncing back next season.
However, their farm system remains thin, and eventually difficult decisions have to be made.
If there’s one player who could bring back a meaningful return, it’s Weaver.
He’s been phenomenal.
Weaver hasn’t allowed an earned run in 26 consecutive appearances.
For some perspective, the Knicks were still playing the Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs the last time he gave one up.
He’s pitched to a 1.89 ERA this season while holding opposing hitters to just a .459 OPS.
The team that makes the most sense to me is Pittsburgh.
The Pirates have one of baseball’s better farm systems, they’re pushing for a playoff spot, and adding a dominant late-inning reliever could be exactly what they’re looking for.
Several depth pieces could also be on the move.
Tyrone Taylor has quietly been one of the Mets’ hottest hitters since returning from the injured list, homering in three consecutive games in which he’s recorded an at-bat.
Pair that with his Gold Glove-caliber defense, and he’ll certainly attract interest.
Brett Baty, however, is a different story.
The Mets have repeatedly indicated they view Baty as part of their future, so I’d be surprised if he were moved.
But if another club makes the right offer, the Mets could decide to capitalize on his value.
As for this weekend, New York has an opportunity to head into the All-Star break feeling much better than it did just a week ago.
The Mets have won four of their last five games and, for the first time in a while, are playing some genuinely watchable baseball.
🔑 Three Things to Watch 🔑
Nolan McLean’s resilience
McLean has started looking like himself again.
After struggling against the Cubs, he’s bounced back with impressive outings against both Toronto and Atlanta.
His off-speed pitches have regained their bite, generating the swings and misses that made him so successful last season. Friday night will be another good test.
A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge
What more can be said? These two have been outstanding.
Ewing and Benge look every bit like cornerstone players for the future.
They’re playing fearlessly, defending at a high level and producing offensively almost every night.
Watching their development has become one of the biggest reasons to tune in.
Appreciate Juan Soto
Sometimes it’s easy to overlook greatness because it becomes expected.
Don’t.
Soto is hitting .297 with a .993 OPS -- second-best in Major League Baseball -- while adding 21 home runs and 50 RBIs.
He also missed nearly three weeks.
With the trade deadline approaching and Boston battling for a Wild Card spot, this weekend’s series carries plenty of intrigue for both clubs and should be a fun way to close out the Mets’ unofficial first half.
📸 Where Mets History Comes Back To Life
20-years-ago, yesterday. Back on 7/9/2006. With the Mets trailing by a run in the eighth, David Wright put New York ahead with a three-run home run 🔽
Most games with at least 1 HR and 2 BB before turning 28:
Jimmie Foxx: 41 | Mickey Mantle: 38 | Babe Ruth: 34 | Frank Thomas: 34 | JUAN SOTO: 34
🗞️ News and Notes In Mets Land 🗞️
🔶 New York made another wave of roster moves prior to Thursday’s game.
RHP Dan Hammer was selected to the Major League roster.
RHP Tobias Myers was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse
OF Jared Oliva has been designated for assignment.
🔷 Brett Baty extended his hitting streak to nine-games. During that stretch he is hitting .294 with six runs scored and four extra-base hits.
🔶 Clay Holmes said he’s “definitely open” to a midseason extension with the Mets, per Will Sammon of The Athletic
🏟️ Around The League 🏟️
🔋 In 330 major league games, James Wood has recorded 65 home runs, 44 stolen bases and 201 walks.
He’s the only player in Stathead’s database to compile 60+ home runs, 40+ stolen bases and 200+ walks in his first 330 games.
⚡️ Jesús Luzardo was electric against the Reds Thursday. Firing seven-shutout innings, yielding just two hits, while striking out 11.
Luzardo’s last four starts: 24.2 IP | 3 ER | 39 K | 0.93 WHIP
🔔 Bryce Harper announced that he will participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday. Harper won the Derby at Nationals Park in 2018, when he played for the Nationals. He beat current Phillies teammate Kyle Schwarber in the finals.
⚾️ Tonight the Mets (40-54) begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox (43-48) from Citi Field. Nolan McLean (6-5, 3.73) gets the ball for New York against Sox right-hander Sonny Gray (10-1, 2.61). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15pm. The game can be seen on Apple TV.
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Plus a full preview and breakdown of the Mets/Red Sox series.