Mets Inch Closer to Wild Card, Yankees FINALLY Win a Game
The New York Mets are inching closer toward one of the three open wild card slots in the National League, following a dominant 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals at…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 10: Jose Iglesias #11 of the New York Mets reacts after his sixth inning two run base hit against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on July 10, 2024 in New York City.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)The New York Mets are inching closer toward one of the three open wild card slots in the National League, following a dominant 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on Wednesday night.
The Amazins road the right arm of veteran Luis Severino who delivered another stellar outing, allowing only two runs on four hits over 6.1 innings of work. After stumbling in his last outing at Pittsburgh, Severino delivered the kind of quality outing the Mets had seen from him throughout the month of June when he pitched to a 3.24 ERA for the month.
Meanwhile, Brandon Nimmo (like Francisco Lindor the night before) continued to make a case he was an All-Star snub when he launched a 440-foot home run to deep right that gave the Mets an early 1-0 lead.
At the same time, Jose Iglesias continues to make the case he could play daily (or at least platoon with Jeff McNeil) at second base. Iglesias who took the world by storm with his debut song "OMG," which he sang at Citi Field a couple of weeks ago, had three hits, two RBI and two runs scored on Wednesday.
The 34-year veteran infielder is hitting .338 with the Amazins this season. He has brought leadership to the clubhouse, and his professionalism both defensively and with the bat have proven to be a major asset for the boys in Queens.
The Mets are currently 46-45 entering play on Thursday. A win, could tie the Amazins for the sixth seed.
YANKEES GET OFF THE SCHNEIDER
While the Mets have been rolling since June, the Yankees have not. With a record of 6-17 entering play on Wednesday in its past 23 games, the Bronx Bombers needed a shot in the arm. And finally got it in a 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay.
While it wasn't pretty, it was a win. And a win the Yankees desperately needed.
Trent Grishman provided all the scoring for the Yankees with RBIs in the second and fourth innings. His double in the second scored Anthony Volpe to make it 1-0. Later in the fourth, Grisham lifted a Zach Efflin pitch to deep left, scoring Gleyber Torres from third.
That was all the Yankees would need, and for the first time in seemingly a long time, the Yankees bullpen made it stand up.
Marcus Stroman lasted only 4.1 innings, scattering seven hits and a run. Instead, the Bombers turned to former White Sox Tim Hill and Luke Weaver who combined to blank the Rays for the next 2-2/3 innings of work.
A win by the Yankees on Thursday would represent its first series victory since winning three of four from the Kansas City Royals in mid-June.
Fantasy Baseball: Players to Sell High On
Top Fantasy Baseball Players to Move Before it's too Late.
When it comes to selling high on players, you are looking to trade a player who is over-performing compared to their career statistics. This year there are a few of them that stand out, most of them being pitchers. Trading these players now for some proven sustained talent could be the key to success in the following months of fantasy leagues.
Seth Lugo
Lugo has been unbelievable throughout his first 16 starts registering 10 wins, a 2.42 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts through 104 innings. Pitcher needy teams may be really interested in acquiring Lugo and you should be more than happy to send Lugo on his way. Lugo has never pitched more than 150 innings and fatigue could play a major factor in his effectiveness in the second half of the year. If you are in need of hitting moving Lugo for a viable bat is the route you need to take.
Ranger Suarez
Jurickson Profar
Profar has been fantastic so far this season hitting .319 with 10 homers and 48 RBIs in 80 games. Profar has never really hit for average, and he has already eclipsed his power totals from last year. Profar is definitely a moveable piece with how well he has played and whoever is moving him could reap the benefits as it is more likely than not, he finishes the year batting under .300. Knowing that he most likely won’t hit over .300 and his power numbers are already higher than his totals last year, he may not offer much upside the rest of the way. Move him for a more valuable piece and you could certainly reap the benefits of picking up Profar, or drafting him in the later rounds.
