New York Mets vs. Toronto Blue Jays Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 11th 2024
Preview and Prediction
John Gibbons, the bench coach for the New York Mets, was delighted to return to Toronto this week to face the Blue Jays. He previously managed the team for a total of 11 years, split into two separate stints.
He would be even more thrilled to leave with a victory in the rubber match of the three-game series on Wednesday afternoon.
After splitting the first two games, the Blue Jays emerged victorious with a 6-2 win over the Mets on Tuesday night.
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This loss dropped the Mets (79-66) into a tie with the Braves for the third wild-card spot in the National League. It was only their second loss in 12 games, while the Braves secured a 12-0 win against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.
The Blue Jays (69-77) were in need of a win after losing six of their previous seven games and currently sit in last place in the American League East.
During his return to the city where he managed the Blue Jays from 2004-2008 and 2013-2018, Gibbons has reunited with many old friends and remains a beloved figure. This is his first season as the bench coach for the Mets, the team that drafted him back in 1980.
Despite the Mets' struggles at the plate, being outhit 12-6 by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Gibbons still has faith in their batting lineup.
"From one to nine, this lineup is just as strong as any I've seen," Gibbons stated.
He also sees similarities between this year's Mets and the Blue Jays teams he managed in 2015 and 2016, both of which made it to the American League Championship Series.
In 2015, the Blue Jays had an outstanding season from Josh Donaldson, while the Mets are currently benefiting from a strong performance by Francisco Lindor.
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"Lindor is incredible, he plays every day, every inning," Gibbons praised. "When I saw him in Cleveland, I knew he was good, but I didn't realize he was this great."
The 2016 Blue Jays didn't secure an AL wild-card spot until the fall, and the Mets seem to be heading towards a similar situation this season.
On Wednesday, the Mets are set to start left-hander Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.43 ERA). In his six career games (five starts) against Toronto, he has a record of 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA. In his last outing on Friday, he allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings, but the Mets still managed to secure a 6-4 win against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Blue Jays will start right-hander Bowden Francis (8-4, 3.72 ERA), who will be facing the Mets for the first time. In his last eight appearances (seven starts), Francis has a record of 5-2 with a 1.96 ERA.
On Tuesday, the Mets were defeated by their former teammate, right-hander Chris Bassitt, who struck out eight and only allowed one run in six innings.
"As crazy as it sounds, I hope they make it to the playoffs," Bassitt said of the Mets. "I know I didn't perform well for them (on Tuesday), but I have a lot of friends there. I have a lot of respect for the people over there. I hope I get to watch them in the playoffs."
Spencer Horwitz of the Blue Jays had a strong performance on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI double. In his last 10 games, he has a batting average of .444 (16-for-36) with four doubles, four home runs, and nine RBIs.
New York Mets vs. Toronto Blue Jays Recap SEP 11TH 2024
Francisco Lindor ended Bowden Francis's no-hitter with a leadoff homer to ignite a six-run ninth inning as the visiting New York Mets defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the second time in four starts that Francis lost a no-hitter on a leadoff homer in the ninth.
Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward took Francis deep to start the ninth on Aug. 24 in Toronto.
The Blue Jays' only no-hitter was pitched by Dave Stieb at Cleveland on Sept. 2, 1990.
Francisco Alvarez added a three-run home run in the Mets' explosive ninth as New York (80-66) took the rubber match of the three-game series with Toronto (69-78).
Francis entered the ninth with a 1-0 lead but was pulled after Lindor launched his 31st home run of the season to right. The right-hander threw 111 pitches, walking one, fanning one and hitting two batters over eight-plus innings.
Chad Green replaced Francis and allowed the first three batters to reach before Pete Alonso's sacrifice fly gave the Mets a 2-1 lead.
J.D. Martinez followed with a walk before Starling Marte plated Jose Iglesias with a flyout to chase Green (4-6).
Alvarez ambushed Genesis Cabrera's first pitch with a drive to center - his seventh homer - to propel New York ahead 6-1.
Mets left-hander Sean Manaea allowed one run, three hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Manaea's first two pitches of the fourth inning resulted in singles by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ernie Clement.
Will Wagner walked to load the bases before Davis Schneider's fielder's choice grounder to third scored the game's first run.
Schneider robbed Harrison Bader of a hit when he made a leaping catch at the wall in left field to lead off the sixth.
Danny Young (4-0) got the final out of the home eighth.
Ryne Stanek allowed a run in Toronto's ninth on pinch hitter Addison Barger's two-out RBI single.
After George Springer's infield hit, Edwin Diaz entered to retire Nathan Lukes on one pitch to secure his 18th save.
Toronto shortstop Leo Jimenez (sore foot) was a late scratch on Wednesday.