Sarah: Carson Benge just shattered Pete Alonso’s Mets rookie hit record with three hits in yesterday’s win. But the real story isn’t the record—it’s that the bullpen is completely empty.
Tom: It’s a graveyard out there in the relief corps. We’re talking about four pitchers on the 15-day IL and two on the 60-day list before the day even started.
Sarah: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Sarah, and this is your daily New York Mets preview show. I’m joined by Tom, who has been tracking these injuries all week.
Tom: Hey everyone. Yeah, it’s a tough spot. We’ve got the Phillies here today, leading the series 2-1, and we have to figure out how to close this thing out without our usual late-inning weapons.
Sarah: So here is what we are covering today. First, we look at the pitching matchup for tonight’s game against Philadelphia. Second, we dive into the offensive spark from Carson Benge and Juan Soto. And third, we tackle the massive injury report and what it means for the rotation.
Tom: Exactly. The Mets are 71-84, sitting fifth in the NL East, but the playoff implications for the Phillies make every pitch tonight feel like Game Seven.
Sarah: Let’s start with the mound. The Phillies are coming in with momentum, having won two of the last three against us. Who is starting for New York tonight?
Tom: It looks like Zac Thornton is getting the nod. He’s been solid in his recent starts, trying to keep the team in games while the big names are either resting or dealing with injuries.
Sarah: Zac Thornton. Okay. And for Philadelphia, who do you expect to take the ball? They have Aaron Nola, but they also have depth.
Tom: Given that they are up 2-1 in the series and fighting for the wild card, they might save Nola for tomorrow if he needs rest. But if they want to sweep, they could go with their ace. Either way, Thornton has to eat innings.
Sarah: Right. And remember, back on September 18th, we predicted that the Mets would struggle to score if Aaron Nola started. Did that play out yesterday?
Tom: Well, we were wrong yesterday! We said they’d struggle, but they exploded for 10 runs. That was a huge outlier performance. Can we expect another 10-run game tonight?
Sarah: I doubt it. But the fact that we *did* get 10 runs shows that when the offense clicks, the Phillies are vulnerable. What does Thornton need to do to keep this close?
Tom: He needs to limit hard contact. The Phillies have power everywhere. If Thornton falls behind in counts, they will punish him. He has to throw strikes and trust the defense, which is risky given the lineup changes.
Sarah: And let’s not forget Kodai Senga. He’s still on the roster as a starter. Do you think he’ll be available later in the week?
Tom: Senga is always a question mark with his workload. But right now, the focus is on Thornton surviving six innings so we don’t have to rely on the depleted bullpen immediately.
Sarah: That is the key. If Thornton goes five, we are in trouble. Let’s stick with us after this break—we’re going to talk about the guys who actually put up those 10 runs.
Sarah: We are back. Yesterday, Carson Benge broke Pete Alonso’s rookie hit record. Three hits, including a home run. How significant is this for the franchise’s future?
Tom: Huge. Alonso was a generational talent. For Benge to surpass his rookie record shows that the pipeline is working. It gives fans something to cheer about besides just hoping for a wild card berth.
Sarah: And he wasn’t alone. Francisco Alvarez homered too. The young core is stepping up. But we have to talk about the elephant in the room—the injuries.
Tom: The injury list is staggering. Devin Williams, Daniel Duarte, Robert Stock—all on the 15-day IL. Jesus Luzardo is out too. Jared Young is done for the season with a concussion.
Sarah: Jared Young was such a key piece in the middle of the order. His absence hurts the batting average significantly. Who is filling his spot?
Tom: It looks like Christopher Morel or Mark Vientos might see more time at first base. Morel brings some pop, but Vientos offers better plate discipline. It’s a gamble either way.
Sarah: And the bullpen? We mentioned the starters, but who is left to close out games?
Tom: Nate Lavender, Sean Manaea (who is listed as RP but usually starts), Dedniel Nunez, Cionel Perez, Austin Warren, Jack Weisenburger, Jefry Yan. It’s a patchwork quilt.
Sarah: Sean Manaea pitching in relief? That is a major strategic shift. Is that a sign they are saving him for a start later, or is he the closer now?
Tom: If Manaea is in the bullpen, it’s because they are protecting his arm for a potential postseason push or a short-series scenario. But using a starter as a reliever eats into his availability for a start.
Sarah: So it’s a double-edged sword. You gain a strong arm now, but you risk hurting your rotation depth later. With the team at 71-84, is that risk worth taking?
Tom: If they are out of the race, maybe not. But the Phillies are still in it. So every game matters for the divisional standings, even if the Wild Card seems distant.
Sarah: It’s a complex situation. One moment, we’re celebrating rookie records; the next, we’re managing a medical crisis. That’s baseball in September.
Sarah: Before we get into our final prediction, I want to ask you directly. We produce this show every single day, seven days a week, no matter what happens on the field. It takes a lot of coffee, late nights, and dedication to keep the Beatline running for free.
Tom: It really does. And we wouldn’t trade it for anything. But keeping the lights on costs money. Servers, software, research tools—it adds up fast when you’re doing this daily.
Sarah: If you love listening to honest, deep-dive Mets analysis, please consider supporting us. A small contribution helps us stay independent and keep bringing you this content every day. Just click the link in the episode description.
Tom: It makes a world of difference. Thank you for being part of the community. Now, let’s finish this episode.
Sarah: Okay, Segment 3. Keys to the series and a bold prediction. The Mets are down 2-1 in the series. They need to win tonight to stay alive.
Tom: The key is early offense. If Thornton gets the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth, we are in trouble. The Mets need to load the bases in the first three innings.
Sarah: Juan Soto is the engine here. He hit a three-run homer in the 6-3 win earlier in the week. Can he carry the load again?
Tom: Absolutely. Soto’s OBP is crucial. When the bullpen is this thin, you need walks and extra-base hits. Soto provides both. He’s the best player on the field tonight.
Sarah: What about the defense? With Jonathan Bowlan day-to-day and other issues, can the fielding hold up?
Tom: It’s shaky. But if Benge and Alvarez continue to hit well, the defense doesn’t have to be perfect. Just good enough.
Sarah: Alright, Tom. Bold prediction for tonight. The Mets win, splitting the series and sending the crowd home happy despite the record.
Tom: I’ll go with that. 5-4 Mets. Benge gets another hit, Soto drives them in, and the makeshift bullpen survives by sheer luck and hustle.
Sarah: There you have it. A split series, fueled by youth and hope. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Tom: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. It helps more fans find us.
Sarah: Go Mets! See you tomorrow.