Overview

• The Mets are 67-60 after losing 16 of their last 21 games, seven behind the Phillies in the NL East and a half-game ahead of the Reds for the final wild-card spot.
• New York blew an early 3-0 lead in Thursday’s finale at Washington and lost 9-3, dropping the series as Sean Manaea faltered and the bullpen surrendered the game.
• Manager Carlos Mendoza pointed to starting pitching as the root issue, with Kodai Senga posting a 6.00 ERA over his last six starts and Manaea failing to complete six innings in eight straight.
• Catcher Francisco Álvarez has a sprained ligament in his right thumb that requires surgery, while Brandon Nimmo’s neck showed no improvement and Jeff McNeil is dealing with right shoulder soreness.
• Soto maintained confidence in a postseason berth as FanGraphs estimates fell to roughly 78% and the Mets open a road series against the Braves tonight.